Australia undone by France flair

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Australia undone by France flair

Al Wakrah: Olivier Giroud scored twice to join Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading scorer and steer France to a come-from-behind 4-1 win over Australia in the Socceroos’ Group D opener at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

The AC Milan striker took his tally for France to 51 career goals after Adrien Rabiot had cancelled out Craig Goodwin’s opener for Australia while Kylian Mbappe was also on target for Didier Deschamps reigning champions.

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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.

Stunning Saudi Arabia silence Argentina

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Stunning Saudi Arabia silence Argentina

Lusail: Saudi Arabia have produced one of the biggest upsets of FIFA World Cup history as goals from Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Dawsari sealed a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Argentina to open their Group C campaign in stunning fashion on Tuesday.

A Lionel Messi penalty put Argentina in front inside 10 minutes at Lusail Iconic Stadium before the South American champions had three goals ruled out for offside as the Green Falcons went into the interval with only a one-goal deficit.

And an incredible five-minute spell after the break saw Al Shehri and Al Dawsari turn the game on its head as Saudi Arabia went 2-1 up by the 53-minute mark before withstanding an Argentina onslaught to end their opponents' 36-game unbeaten run and secure the greatest result in their history.

Preview - Group E: Germany v Japan

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group E: Germany v Japan

Doha: Japan will be on a mission to show their footballing pedigree when they take on Germany in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match on Wednesday.

Germany will start as the overwhelming favourites at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha but head coach Hajime Moriyasu said Japan are determined to match the four-time world champions. 

Queiroz proud of IR Iran players despite heavy England defeat

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Queiroz proud of IR Iran players despite heavy England defeat

Al Rayyan: Head coach Carlos Queiroz expressed his pride in his players' fighting spirit, despite the Islamic Republic of Iran’s succumbing to a 6-2 loss against England in Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Monday.

Mehdi Taremi got a brace from a second half strike followed by a very late penalty, while England had Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, and man of the match Bukayo Saka (brace) to thank for their half a dozen tally of goals. 

Team Melli could be without Alireza Beiranvand for the game against Wales, due to take place on Friday after he suffered a nose injury forcing him to be substituted early on in the game.

Poland's Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Poland's Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Doha: Robert Lewandowski suffered fresh FIFA World Cup misery as the Poland striker's penalty was saved by Guillermo Ochoa in a 0-0 draw against Mexico on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's stunning 2-1 win over Argentina earlier in the day had blown open the race to progress to the last 16 from Group C of Qatar 2022.

But this was a frustrating draw for both teams, with Lewandowski wasting the best chance of a cagey game and Mexico ruing their failure to turn territorial dominance into goals.

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen's Denmark

Tue, 22 Nov, 2022

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen's Denmark

Al Rayyan: Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opener on Tuesday, kicking off their Group D campaign with a strong performance against one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Tunisia have never reached the FIFA World Cup knockouts in five previous attempts but Jalel Kadri's side will be encouraged both with a point at Education City Stadium and with how they performed against the fancied Danes.

Denmark had come into the match as favourites but Tunisia tore into their more illustrious opponents from kick-off, flying into tackles.