Japan confident of bright future despite heartbreak

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Japan confident of bright future despite heartbreak

Doha: Japan failed to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals once again but stunning wins over Germany and Spain and more players moving to Europe suggest the Blue Samurai will return stronger.

Japan were eliminated by Croatia in the last 16 on Monday in Qatar, going out on penalties after a nerve-jangling 1-1 draw with the 2018 finalists.

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Then there were eight

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Then there were eight

Doha: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has reached the quarter-final stage with defending champions France leading the cast.

Also through are former champions Argentina, Brazil and England.  

Three-time runners-up the Netherlands, 2018 finalists Croatia, Morocco and Portugal complete the last eight cast. 

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the quarter-final match-ups, with the ties to be played on Friday and Saturday.

Captain Son apologises after Taeguk Warriors' bid ends

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Captain Son apologises after Taeguk Warriors' bid ends

Doha: Son Heung-min apologised after Korea Republic exited the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 following a sobering 4-1 defeat to favourites Brazil in the last 16.

The captain and talisman was powerless as Brazil scored four times in the first half on Monday, before Paik Seung-ho netted a 76th-minute consolation for the Taeguk Warriors.

Triumphs count for nothing after exit - Doan

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Triumphs count for nothing after exit - Doan

Al Wakrah: Forward Ritsu Doan said Japan's historic FIFA World Cup wins over Germany and Spain counted for nothing after the Blue Samurai were eliminated by Croatia in the last 16 on Monday.

Japan missed out on a first-ever place in the quarter-finals after a 3-1 penalty shootout defeat to the Croatians, following a gruelling encounter that finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Japan beat both Germany and Spain in the goup stage in Qatar but Doan took no consolation from his team's achievements.

Bento steps down as Korea Republic head coach

Tue, 06 Dec, 2022

Bento steps down as Korea Republic head coach

Doha: Paulo Bento announced he would not be staying on as head coach of Korea Republic after they were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Brazil on Monday.

"Now I need to think about the future, but I will not be with the Korea team. I am going to rest and then see," the 53-year-old former Portugal coach said after the loss in the last 16.

Croatia's Dalic says Brazil squad 'scary'

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Croatia's Dalic says Brazil squad 'scary'

Doha: Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic called Brazil's squad "scary" but says his team are not big underdogs in Friday's quarter-final against the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 favourites.

Dalic's side, runners-up four years ago, beat Japan on penalties on Monday to guarantee at least their third best finish at the tournament.

Ramos hat-trick steers Portugal through

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Ramos hat-trick steers Portugal through

Lusail: Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick as Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1 to advance to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Ramos, who started instead of Cristiano Ronaldo, became the youngest player to strike three times in a FIFA World Cup knockout match since Pele in 1958.

Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao were also on target for a rampant Portugal, who booked a showdown with Morocco on Saturday for a place in the last four.

Morocco stun Spain to make quarter-finals

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Morocco stun Spain to make quarter-finals

Al Rayyan: Morocco defeated Spain 3-0 on penalties to advance to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-finals after their Round of 16 tie ended goalless over 120 minutes on Tuesday.

Spain coach Luis Enrique had claimed his players prepared by taking 1,000 penalties as homework but Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all missed from the spot and Madrid-born Hakimi dinked his home to the delight of Morocco's raucous support.

Walid Regragui's side will face Portugal or Switzerland in what is uncharted territory for them, with their previous best a last-16 exit in 1986.