Preview - Group D: France v Australia

Wed, 23 Nov, 2022

Preview - Group D: France v Australia

Al Wakrah: Australia head coach Graham Arnold admitted Ajdin Hrustic will not be fit enough to start the Socceroos’ opener at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 when they take on defending champions France in Group D on Tuesday.

Midfielder Hrustic is still recovering from an ankle injury to deny Arnold his playmaking talents for the game, which is a rematch of the group phase clash between the two nations at the last FIFA World Cup Finals in Russia.

That encounter ended in a battling 2-1 loss for the Socceroos, with Aziz Behich’s late own goal handing the French victory, and Arnold is expecting another resilient performance from his players at Al Janoub Stadium.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup/video/fifa_world_cup_qatar_2022™_-_know_your_team_|_australia.html

England power past IR Iran

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

England power past IR Iran

Al Rayyan: An early injury to Alireza Bieranvand set the tone for a 6-2 loss for the Islamic Republic of Iran in their first FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B outing against England at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.

England, clearly the superior side, capitalised on Iran's early misfortune as they produced a stunning show to kick off their bid to win the FIFA World Cup for the first time since their 1966 triumph. 

Sanchez: Nerves caused Qatar's defeat

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

Sanchez: Nerves caused Qatar's defeat

Al Khor: Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez admitted his side suffered from stage fright as the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosts were handed a 2-0 defeat by Ecuador in their Group A clash at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.

Enner Valencia’s first-half double earned the South Americans a deserved win to leave the reigning AFC Asian Cup™
champions needing to win against Senegal on Friday to reignite their hopes of a place in the next phase of the competition.

Boyle withdrawn from Socceroos' squad

Sun, 20 Nov, 2022

Boyle withdrawn from Socceroos' squad

Doha: Socceroos winger Martin Boyle will not participate in this year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament after he succumbed to a knee injury, Football Australia said on Sunday.

Head coach Graham Arnold said Boyle and the team medical staff had done everything to try and prepare the player for the tournament, but were forced to rule him out on Saturday night.

Japan's Mitoma ready to make Germany sick in opener

Mon, 21 Nov, 2022

Japan's Mitoma ready to make Germany sick in opener

Doha: An illness meant Japan's Kaoru Mitoma arrived late in Qatar but the livewire winger insisted on Sunday he will be "100 percent" ready for his team's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opener against Germany.

The 25-year-old has shown glimpses of his talent in the Premier League since joining Brighton in the summer, causing havoc with his mazy runs and scoring goals against Wolves and Arsenal.

He has also proved his worth for his country, notching a brace against Australia in March to clinch Japan's place at their seventh straight FIFA World Cup.