Portugal's Carvalho aiming not to be next shock victims

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

Portugal's Carvalho aiming not to be next shock victims

Doha: Portugal midfielder William Carvalho is determined to help his team avoid becoming the victims of another FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 shock against Switzerland in the last 16 on Tuesday.

After Saudi Arabia beat Argentina and Japan won against both Germany and Spain, among other surprise results, the more fancied sides are wary of slipping up.

Australia came close to taking Argentina to extra-time on Saturday and Carvalho is staying cautious ahead of Portugal's match.

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www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2936909.html

Preview - Ro16: Japan v Croatia

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

Preview - Ro16: Japan v Croatia

Al Wakrah: Yuto Nagatomo has called on his Japanese teammates to show their samurai spirit when they take on Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Japan will be looking to secure a spot in the last eight for the first time in the nation’s history, with memories still fresh of the heart-breaking injury time defeat to Belgium at the same stage of the competition in Russia four years ago.

Preview - Ro16: Brazil v Korea Republic

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Preview - Ro16: Brazil v Korea Republic

Doha: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento bemoaned fixture congestion ahead of his side’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 clash against Brazil on Monday.

The Taeguk Warriors had sealed qualification to the second round after a gruelling 2-1 comeback on Friday against Bento’s native Portugal, thanks to Kim Young-gwon’s first-half strike and Hwang Hee-chan’s added time winner.

England turn on the power against Senegal to advance

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

England turn on the power against Senegal to advance

Al Khor: England set up a titanic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final against holders France as Jude Bellingham's masterclass inspired a 3-0 win against Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday.

Gareth Southgate's side survived a nervous start at the Al Bayt Stadium before Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane put Senegal to the sword with a pair of clinical finishes before half-time.

Bukayo Saka scored England's third, but it was Bellingham's prodigious work-rate and burgeoning quality in possession that allowed them to turn the tide.

France cruise past Poland to stay on course to defend title

Mon, 05 Dec, 2022

France cruise past Poland to stay on course to defend title

Doha: Kylian Mbappe set up a history-making goal for Olivier Giroud and then scored two himself as holders France eased into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 3-1 win over Poland on Sunday.

Giroud's opening goal a minute before half-time was his 52nd for his country, allowing him to pass Thierry Henry and become France's all-time record marksman.

Mbappe's lethal strike in the 74th minute killed off any prospect of a Poland comeback and he netted again at the death to move to nine goals in just 11 FIFA World Cup appearances, the second-most for a French player at the tournament.

At the other end the threat of Robert Lewandowski was snuffed out by the French defence although the 34-year-old Poland captain did get the consolation of scoring a stoppage-time penalty. France will play England - who defeated Senegal 3-0 on Sunday - in the quarter-finals.

Australia's Arnold calls for more support

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Australia's Arnold calls for more support

Al Rayyan: Australia head coach Graham Arnold left the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Saturday calling for greater investment in the sport in the country having seen his Socceroos knocked out by Lionel Messi’s Argentina at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Messi scored the opener as the Copa America champions won 2-1 with Julian Alvarez capitalising on an error by Maty Ryan to double the lead before Craig Goodwin’s shot was redirected into his own net by Enzo Fernandez to give the Australians a sliver of hope.
 
That goal set up a grandstand finish that saw Aziz Behich and Garang Kuol denied late opportunities to equalise and take the game into extra-time as the Argentinians moved through to a quarter-final meeting with the Netherlands on Friday.

Scaloni excited to take on idol Van Gaal

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Scaloni excited to take on idol Van Gaal

Al Rayyan: Lionel Scaloni said he was looking forward to taking on Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals after his Argentina side beat Australia 2-1 on Saturday.

Goals from Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez gave Argentina a winning cushion at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium before an Enzo Fernandez own goal set up a frantic finish.

Gakpo: Netherlands 'improving every game'

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Gakpo: Netherlands 'improving every game'

Doha: The Netherlands are growing in confidence at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and getting better with every game, star forward Cody Gakpo said on Saturday after they put some underwhelming group-stage performances behind them to beat the United States and ease into the quarter-finals.

The Dutch secured a last-eight spot with a 3-1 victory which was set up by a wonderful opening goal, finished by Memphis Depay after a 20-pass move.