Al Shahrani undergoes surgery

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Al Shahrani undergoes surgery

Doha: Saudi Arabia defender Yasser Al-Shahrani underwent successful surgery on his pancreas on Wednesday after a collision during his team's shock FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 win over Argentina, the national team said.

Medical examinations conducted in Doha revealed Al-Shahrani to be in a "stable condition" after "suffering a strong clash in the head, chest and abdomen", said a statement posted on the team's Twitter account.

He was then "transferred by medical evacuation to the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh" for the operation.

Saudi Arabia's Renard not dwelling on 'crazy' win

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Saudi Arabia's Renard not dwelling on 'crazy' win

Doha: Saudi Arabia's French coach Herve Renard warned his players not to celebrate for too long after their "totally crazy" 2-1 win against Argentina in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C opener on Tuesday.

The Saudis bounced back from conceding an early Lionel Messi penalty to produce one of the great FIFA World Cup shocks thanks to a Saleh Al Shehri equaliser and a sublime Salem Al Dawsari winner at the Lusail Stadium in Doha.

Saudi star Al Dawsari writes name in lights

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Saudi star Al Dawsari writes name in lights

Doha: Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari grabbed the world's attention with his match-winning wonder strike against Argentina on Tuesday but the winger has been a star in Asia for years.

The 31-year-old helped the Saudis to a stunning 2-1 victory over the twice world champions in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, when he took out two defenders with a clever turn before rifling the ball into the net.

It was a typical piece of brilliance from a player who has long been known as one of Asia's best.

Loss a very heavy blow, says Messi

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Loss a very heavy blow, says Messi

Doha: Lionel Messi said Argentina's shock loss to Saudi Arabia was a "very heavy blow" but vowed the South American champions would bounce back from the defeat.

"It's a very heavy blow, a defeat that hurts, but we must continue to have confidence in ourselves," Messi said after Argentina crashed to a stunning 2-1 loss in Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Tuesday.

"This group is not going to give up. We will try to beat Mexico," he added.

Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Arnold: France were too good for Australia

Al Wakrah: Graham Arnold conceded his Australia team could do little to match the quality of defending champions France as the Socceroos slipped to a 4-1 loss in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 clash on Tuesday.

The defeat equalled Australia’s worst-ever result at a FIFA World Cup – a 4-1 loss against Germany in South Africa in 2010 – as Olivier Giroud’s double and efforts from Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe earned France a comprehensive win after Craig Goodwin’s early opener.

Preview - Group H: Uruguay v Korea Republic

Thu, 24 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group H: Uruguay v Korea Republic

Al Rayyan: Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento expects Son Heung-min to be fit to face Uruguay in his side’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H opener at the Education City Stadium on Thursday but there will be no place in the squad for Hwang Hee-chan.

Bento ruled Hwang out of the clash with the South Americans and revealed the Koreans would make a late decision over the selection of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors full back Kim Jin-su.

Kim Min-jae: Korea Republic's highly rated 'Monster' defender

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Kim Min-jae: Korea Republic's highly rated 'Monster' defender

Doha: Son Heung-min's facial injury has dominated Korea Republic's build-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, but it's a "Monster" at the heart of their defence who could prove just as critical in Qatar.

Imposing central defender Kim Min-jae has earned rave reviews since moving from Fenerbahce in Turkey to Napoli in the summer for just over 18 million euros.

The 26-year-old has since played a crucial role in Napoli going unbeaten in Serie A and streaking away at the top before the league paused for the FIFA World Cup.

Solid Morocco hold Modric's Croatia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Solid Morocco hold Modric's Croatia

Al Khor: Morocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw in their opening Group F game of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Wednesday, producing a spirited display against the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric.

Backed by Qatar's large Moroccan community at the Al Bayt Stadium, the Atlas Lions followed up north African rivals Tunisia's strong performance against Denmark a day earlier to frustrate Croatia.