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.

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'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.