Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia are back at the FIFA World Cup for a fifth time, after a 12-year absence. The-AFC.com called on the opinion of a Saudi Arabian expert to run the rule over the Green Falcons' chances.
In four attempts since their historic 1994 debut where they reached the Round of 16, Saudi Arabia have not been able to navigate the group stage, and with their last appearance going all the way back to 2006, the Green Falcons will be hoping to show a different side to them in Russia 2018.
Part of our Expert View series, we look at how Juan Antonio Pizzi's men will line up at the World Cup, their chances, key players and predictions.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia will be the first Asian nation to play in a FIFA World Cup opening match when they face Russia on June 14 and, despite the absence of star player Nawaf Al Abed, there is plenty of quality in the side.
A turbulent nine-month spell since they secured FIFA World Cup qualification in September saw Saudi Arabia part ways with Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk, appoint former UAE boss Edgardo Bauza, only to dismiss him only two month later and bring Juan Antonio Pizzi.
Pizzi has since gone on to establish a new tactical identity for the team; one that emphasises the value of pressing high up the pitch and retaining possession for extended period. Whether the six months period since he effectively took over is enough for the players to fully adapt to his ways is arguably the biggest question for the Green Falcons ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Leverkusen: Saudi Arabia captain Osama Hawsawi will lead his nation into their first FIFA World Cup Finals in 12 years confident the Green Falcons have an opportunity to repeat the country’s best-ever performance and advance to the knockout phase of Russia 2018.
A Saudi Arabia team featuring the likes of Majed Abdullah, Fuad Anwar and Sami Al Jaber reached the Round of 16 in the country’s debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup in the United States in 1994, with Saeed Al Owairan’s mesmerising goal against Belgium still rated among the finest ever scored at the finals.
And with Hawsawi and his teammates set to make history by becoming the first Asian Football Confederation member association to feature in the tournament’s opening game when they take on Russia in Moscow on June 14, the Al Hilal centre-half is relishing the challenge that lies ahead.
“It will be a big honour for me to be the national team captain, especially at the World Cup,” said the 34-year-old. “We will be playing in a big competition and millions of people all around the world will be watching the opening match.
“It is an amazing feeling and I hope that we can fulfill the expectations of our fans and our football officials as well.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Australia climbed up four spots to 36th place to overtake Islamic Republic of Iran to be Asia’s top ranked team, in the FIFA World Ranking released on Thursday.
The remarkable achievement came at perfect timing for the Socceroos and will serve as a boost ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Iran dropped one rung to 37th, followed by Korea Republic who moved four rungs up to 57th after their impressive 2-0 win over Honduras last month.
Japan fell one spot to 61, while Saudi Arabia’s ranking remain unchanged at 67th to complete Asia’s top five teams, who will begin their Russia 2018 campaigns next week.
Meanwhile, Jordan also made great strides to become Asia’s biggest mover, climbing eight spots to 110th
The next FIFA World Rankings are to be released on July 19.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the 2018 FIFA World Cup now just days away, we sought the views of five football experts from across the continent. We begin the series with Korea Republic.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is set to boast the largest contingent of sides representing the Asian continent with Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Australia all set to take to the field against the world's best.
The-AFC.com reached out to experts from each of the five countries, for a representative to give their thoughts on their country's chances and how they see things potentially playing out.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Asian nations and players have produced some of the biggest World Cup moments throughout the years, but some of the Continent's finest talents were unfortunate not to participate in the tournament. Here are six of the best, choose your favourite in the poll.
Hong Myung-bo, Sami Al Jaber, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Tim Cahill. Just some of the names of Asia's footballing elite to have left their mark on the global stage. But how about those stars of the Continental game who have not been so fortunate, for one reason or another, to represent their nation at the FIFA World Cup?
We review and recognise six of those players from Kirkuk in Iraq to Sydney, Australia and invite you to pick your favourite in the voting poll at the end of the article.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There have been some classic combinations of colours and designs in the clothing Asia's football sides have worn on the world stage. With IR Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic and Australia representing the continent at Russia 2018, we look back at five of their stand-out FIFA World Cup kits.
For football fans around the globe, a team’s kit often serves as an everlasting visual representation of certain memories. Nowhere is this truer than in the FIFA World Cup, where the four-year gap means kits usually change from one edition of the competition to the next.
Some kits have been immortalised due to their unique designs, while others remain forever associated with the team’s success.
Here are five unforgettable kits from the Continent’s representatives in this year’s World Cup. View them below and then pick your favourite .