Preview - Quarter-final: England v France

Sun, 11 Dec, 2022

Preview - Quarter-final: England v France

Al Khor: Defending champions France take on England in a mouthwatering FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final on Saturday that pits superstar Kylian Mbappe against a forward line-up packed with youthful zest.

The two European heavyweights, separated by just 32 kilometres of ocean, have surprisingly met just twice on the biggest stage, but not since 1982.

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Preview - Quarter-final: Morocco v Portugal

Sat, 10 Dec, 2022

Preview - Quarter-final: Morocco v Portugal

Doha: Morocco head into Saturday's last-eight clash with Portugal knowing they are only one step away from making history as Africa's first FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, but they face a buoyant opposition fresh from scoring six goals against Switzerland.

Walid Regragui's Moroccans are in uncharted territory after a surprise run which saw them finish top of Group F after beating Belgium and Canada before a stunning victory over Spain on penalties in the last 16.

The Atlas Lions are only the fourth African side to reach the quarter-finals - after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

France captain Lloris ready to make history

Fri, 09 Dec, 2022

France captain Lloris ready to make history

Doha: Captain of his country for more than a decade, Hugo Lloris will make French national team history on Saturday when he leads the FIFA World Cup holders into their quarter-final clash with England, tasked with shutting out his friend and club colleague Harry Kane.

Lloris and England captain Kane have been teammates at Tottenham since 2013, but by then the goalkeeper was already well established as France skipper having first been given the armband by Laurent Blanc in a friendly against the English in November 2010.

That came not long after France's disastrous FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa, and 12 years on Lloris will win a French record 143rd cap against England at Al Bayt Stadium, overtaking previous record holder Lilian Thuram.

Record-chaser Kane leading England's bid for glory

Fri, 09 Dec, 2022

Record-chaser Kane leading England's bid for glory

Doha: Harry Kane is on the brink of becoming England's record goalscorer, but the unselfish star would happily swap that historic landmark for the chance to lead his country to FIFA World Cup glory.

Kane heads into England's blockbuster quarter-final against world champions France on Saturday just one goal behind Three Lions record scorer Wayne Rooney.

The 29-year-old netted for the first time in this year's FIFA World Cup in the 3-0 last 16 win against Senegal on Sunday, taking his career England goal tally to 52.

Regragui breaking new ground for African coaches

Fri, 09 Dec, 2022

Regragui breaking new ground for African coaches

Doha: Morocco boss Walid Regragui became the first ever African coach to take a team into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals when his side beat Spain on penalties, despite only taking over the reins in August.

Regragui was appointed before the tournament with Moroccan football in turmoil after previous head coach Vahid Halilhodzic was sacked over "differences of opinion" with the country's football federation.

Portugal's Santos hits jackpot with bold calls

Fri, 09 Dec, 2022

Portugal's Santos hits jackpot with bold calls

Doha: Portugal head coach Fernando Santos had put off the decision for years, but eventually rolled the dice - and benched Cristiano Ronaldo.

The gamble paid off handsomely as Goncalo Ramos struck a hat-trick in a 6-1 defeat of Switzerland to set up a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter-final showdown with Morocco on Saturday.

Newly liberated Portugal have installed themselves among the FIFA World Cup favourites and in an exhilarating 90 minutes blew away criticism of their "uninspiring" football.

Japan target fifth AFC Asian Cup™ title after Qatar 2022 heartbreak

Thu, 08 Dec, 2022

Japan target fifth AFC Asian Cup™ title after Qatar 2022 heartbreak

Narita: Japan will put their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 heartbreak behind them and focus on becoming Asian champions for a fifth time, captain Maya Yoshida said after the team returned home on Wednesday.

The Blue Samurai were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup on penalties by Croatia in the last 16 on Monday, denying them a first-ever place in the quarter-finals.

But the defeat did not stop hundreds of fans from travelling to an airport near Tokyo to welcome the players and head coach Hajime Moriyasu back from Qatar.