'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.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2936206.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2936208.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2936210.html

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.

Heroic Japan stun Spain to book knockout stage berth

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Heroic Japan stun Spain to book knockout stage berth

Doha: Japan will play Croatia in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 after Hajime Moriyasu’s side pulled off a dramatic 2-1 come-from-behind win over Spain to top Group E at the Khalifa International Stadium on Friday.

Two goals in three minutes early in the second half from Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka earned Japan the three points after Alvaro Morata had put the Spanish in front in the 11th minute as the Samurai Blue claimed a second win in three games.
 
Japan will now meet Croatia on Monday, while Spain will play Morocco with four-time champions Germany eliminated despite their 4-2 win over Costa Rica, who also went out of the competition.

Germany eliminated despite Costa Rica win

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Germany eliminated despite Costa Rica win

Al Khor: Germany crashed out of the FIFA World Cup at the group stage for the second time in succession despite a 4-2 win against Costa Rica on Thursday.

The four-time FIFA World Cup winners came into the match needing a win but were also relying on the result of Japan's game with Spain to progress.

But the Germans were eliminated due to goal difference as Japan followed up their defeat of Germany with another shock result by beating Spain 2-1.

Germany took an early lead but briefly fell behind in the second half as head coach Hansi Flick made a flurry of changes, reacting to the live score of the Japan v Spain fixture.

Morocco roar past Canada into last 16

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Morocco roar past Canada into last 16

Doha: Morocco powered into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for the first time in 36 years on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over eliminated Canada.

Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri ensured the North Africans finished top of Group F ahead of 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia, who drew 0-0 against Belgium.

Morocco, who last reached the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup in 1986, will face the runners-up from Group E in the last 16, with the identity of their opponents to be decided later on Thursday.

Croatia through after draw with Belgium

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Croatia through after draw with Belgium

Al Rayyan: Romelu Lukaku missed a string of late chances as Belgium crashed out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in the group stage after a 0-0 draw with Croatia on Thursday.

Croatia progressed as runners-up in Group F behind winners Morocco who beat Canada 2-1 to also qualify for the last 16.

Belgium, the world's second-ranked side, saw their run of reaching at least the quarter-finals at four straight major tournaments come to an abrupt end.

Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Portugal

Fri, 02 Dec, 2022

Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Portugal

Al Rayyan: Paulo Bento does not believe his absence from the sidelines will have a negative impact on his Korea Republic side as they attempt to salvage their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Portugal on Friday.

The Koreans need to win to have any hope of progressing from Group H but Bento will be forced to watch from the stands at Education City Stadium having received a red card from referee Anthony Taylor in the aftermath of his side’s 3-2 loss against Ghana on Monday.

Degenek on mission to stop Messi

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Degenek on mission to stop Messi

Doha: Australia will put their bodies on the line to stop Lionel Messi and spring a surprise against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 last 16, tough-tackling Milos Degenek warned on Thursday.

The defender, who made his FIFA World Cup debut in Australia's 1-0 group win over Denmark on Wednesday, said Messi is his hero but all sentiments will be thrown aside when they meet on Saturday.

Maradona would be 'super happy', says Messi

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Maradona would be 'super happy', says Messi

Doha: Lionel Messi believes Diego Maradona would be "super happy" after he led Argentina into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 last 16 on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 win over Poland.

Messi became his country's most capped player at the tournament with a 22nd appearance surpassing his legendary compatriot who died just over two years ago.

'Home ground' experience took Australia through, says Arnold

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

'Home ground' experience took Australia through, says Arnold

Doha: Graham Arnold credited Australia’s extensive experience of the Qatari conditions for his side’s 1-0 victory over Denmark on Wednesday that moved the Socceroos into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Mathew Leckie’s solo effort with an hour on the clock was the difference between the teams and the win sealed the runners-up berth in Group D for the Australians, taking the team through to the next phase for the first time since 2006 with two-time champions Argentina awaiting.
 
The win was Australia’s latest in Qatar after playing in the country during the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ before securing their place at the Finals in a pair of playoffs against the United Arab Emirates and Peru that were hosted in Doha in June.

Renard admits Mexico deserved victory as Saudi Arabia make exit

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Renard admits Mexico deserved victory as Saudi Arabia make exit

Lusail: Herve Renard admitted the better team won as Saudi Arabia exited the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after a 2-1 defeat to Mexico on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia went into their final Group C tie at the Lusail Stadium knowing a win would take them into the knockout stage but found Mexico too hot to handle as they ended their campaign with three points.