Costa hails Korea Republic's courage, self belief

Sat, 03 Dec, 2022

Costa hails Korea Republic's courage, self belief

Doha: Korea Republic assistant coach Sergio Costa was elated as the Taeguk Warriors secured a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 berth with a 2-1 win over Portugal at Stadium 974 on Friday. 

Costa’s native country Portugal opened the scoring very early through Ricardo Horta, but Kim Young-gwon pounced on a Lee Kang-in corner to draw level. As time passed, Korea Republic grew in intensity and eventually made it count late into stoppage time when Hwang Hee-chan was teed up by Son Heung-min for the winner.

Korea Republic will face five-time champions Brazil on Monday. 

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Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 set to be thrilling affair

Sat, 03 Dec, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Round of 16 set to be thrilling affair

Doha: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 promises to be a sizzling affair following the conclusion of the Group Stage on Friday.

Asia will be represented by Australia, Korea Republic and Japan - a historic first - while France stayed on course to become the first team since Brazil to win back-to-back titles. 

Other former champions to advance to the knockout stage were Argentina, England and Spain while Germany and Uruguay were casualties.

The Round of 16 ties kick off on Saturday so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the eight matches coming up.

Korea Republic shock Portugal to confirm ticket

Sat, 03 Dec, 2022

Korea Republic shock Portugal to confirm ticket

Al Khor: Korea Republic produced a stunning stoppage time 2-1 victory over Portugal, to carve out a path to Round of 16 progression in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Education City Stadium on Friday.

Needing a win against Group H leaders Portugal while Ghana and Uruguay toiled in the simultaneous game, only a win would have done for Paulo Bento’s men and the grit and guile of a well drilled team ensured the win was delivered.

Korea Republic and Uruguay - who defeated Ghana 2-0 - finished on four points, with Paulo Bento's side advancing on superior goal difference. Korea Republic - who will play five-time champions Brazil next - joined Australia and Japan in the Round of 16, a historic first for Asian football. 

Triumph over Ghana not enough for Uruguay

Sat, 03 Dec, 2022

Triumph over Ghana not enough for Uruguay

Al Wakrah: Uruguay crashed out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 despite beating Ghana 2-0 after Korea Republic scored a late winner in the other Group H match to leapfrog the South American side on Friday. 

Giorgian De Arrascaeta netted twice in quick succession in the first half, with 35-year-old Luis Suarez having a hand in both goals.

However, Suarez finished the match on the bench in tears as the news came in of Korea Republic's last-gasp victory over Portugal, which meant the Asian side had moved above the Uruguayans into second place in Group H on goals scored.

Cameroon stun Brazil but go out

Sat, 03 Dec, 2022

Cameroon stun Brazil but go out

Lusail: Vincent Aboubakar headed in a stoppage-time winner and was then sent off as Cameroon claimed a memorable 1-0 victory over favourites Brazil at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Friday, but still failed to go through to the last 16.

Aboubakar, who had come in to captain Rigobert Song's team, connected with a cross from substitute Jerome Ngom Mbekeli to break the deadlock in the 92nd minute at the Lusail Stadium.

He was booked for removing his shirt in the wild celebrations that followed and, having already been cautioned, had to leave his teammates to see out the remainder of the game.

Switzerland edge Serbia to make last 16

Sat, 03 Dec, 2022

Switzerland edge Serbia to make last 16

Doha: Switzerland booked a last-16 showdown with Portugal at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Friday after a 3-2 win over Serbia in a bad-tempered match secured them second place in Group G.

Xherdan Shaqiri's deflected strike put the Swiss ahead but Aleksandar Mitrovic's fine header brought Serbia level at Stadium 974. Dusan Vlahovic then gave Serbia the lead only for Breel Embolo to equalise before half-time.

Remo Freuler's brilliant goal early in the second half sent the Swiss through to the knockout rounds for the fourth time in five FIFA World Cups.

Preview - Ro16: Argentina v Australia

Sun, 04 Dec, 2022

Preview - Ro16: Argentina v Australia

Al Rayyan: Graham Arnold will lean on Australia’s Olympic experience and their victory over Argentina in Tokyo last year as the Socceroos attempt to overcome Lionel Scaloni’s Copa America champions in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Saturday.

The Australians are appearing in the knockout rounds for only the second time in their history after finishing second in Group C behind defending champions France and take on an Argentina side hoping to earn a first FIFA World Cup title for star man Lionel Messi.
 
The Socceroos go into the game at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium not expected to win but Arnold is hoping to continue Australia’s strong record against the Argentinians, which includes a 2-0 victory at Olympic level in last summer’s COVID-19 pandemic delayed Games.

'Guts' brought glory to Blue Samurai, says Nagatomo

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

'Guts' brought glory to Blue Samurai, says Nagatomo

Doha: Japan showed they have the "guts" to compete at the FIFA World Cup, defender Yuto Nagatomo said Thursday, after the Blue Samurai stunned Spain to advance to the Qatar 2022 Round of 16.

Japan upset both Germany and Spain to finish top of Group E, digging deep to come from behind to grab gritty victories in both games.

Hajime Moriyasu's side will now face Croatia in the last 16 and Nagatomo believes they can pull off another shock against the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalists.

Moriyasu: Japan's victory a major boost for Asia

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Moriyasu: Japan's victory a major boost for Asia

Doha: Hajime Moriyasu believes Japan’s progress to the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 can give football in Asia a major boost after the Samurai Blue handed former champions Spain and Germany group stage defeats to progress to the last 16.

A 2-1 victory over Spain at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday took Japan to the top of Group E ahead of Luis Enrique’s side and saw Germany, the four-time FIFA World Cup winners, eliminated despite their 4-2 success over Costa Rica.
 
The Japanese had also beaten the Germans in the opening round and Moriyasu’s side will now face 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia on Monday for a first-ever place in the quarter-finals.

Social Wrap: Mixed emotions for Asia’s cast

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Social Wrap: Mixed emotions for Asia’s cast

Doha: It's been a group stage of incredible highs and lows for Asia's six sides at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with historic victories and agonising defeats ensuring a rollercoaster journey for all involved. 

Australia and Japan have advanced to the last 16, while Qatar, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia have exited, with Korea Republic set to play their final group game against Portugal on Friday.

Ahead of that crunch match-up, the-AFC.com has a look at the social media channels of the teams and players of those involved.