Saudi Arabia's Renard confident despite tough draw

Fri, 11 Nov, 2022

Saudi Arabia's Renard confident despite tough draw

Riyadh: Herve Renard has brought a rare sense of stability to the Saudi Arabia national team since taking over in 2019, and the Green Falcons have benefitted from the sense of calm brought by the well-travelled Frenchman as they head into another FIFA World Cup tournament.

While in the past the entrance to the coach’s dugout for the Saudi national team could have resembled a revolving door, Renard has provided a sense of continuity over the last three years that has often been lacking for one of the continent’s most successful nations.

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Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group D Teams

Sat, 05 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group D Teams

Doha: Australia will be seeking to advance to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for just the second time.

The Socceroos, however, face a tough challenge in Group D, with defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia also harbouring hopes of extended runs in Qatar 2022.

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group C Teams

Thu, 10 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group C Teams

Doha: Group C of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is set to be a blockbuster with Saudi Arabia in the fray. 

With two-time champions Argentina, Mexico and Poland to contend with, Herve Renard's side know they will have to hit the ground running in their bid to advance to the knockout stage.

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group B Teams

Wed, 09 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group B Teams

Doha: Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 promises thrilling action with Islamic Republic of Iran looking to advance into the knockout stage for the first time. 

Team Melli will have to be at their best with England, the United States of America and Wales also looking to advance. 

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group A Teams

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group A Teams

Doha: The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicks off in less than two weeks with the squads either finalising their preparations or getting set to assemble ahead of the global showpiece.

Qatar 2022 promises to be a fiesta of football so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the 32 teams, kicking off the series with Group A.

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group E Teams

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

Qatar 2022 - Know Your Group E Teams

Doha: Japan will have to be at their best from the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with the East Asians set to face two previous winners in Group E.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side will go up against Germany, Spain and Costa Rica as they bid to improve on their Round of 16 showing four years ago. 

Sanchez determined to take Asian champions to next level

Sat, 12 Nov, 2022

Sanchez determined to take Asian champions to next level

Kuala Lumpur: Felix Sanchez, the man who will lead FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar in their debut appearance at the tournament, is as much a father figure as he is a coach to a squad the Spaniard has shaped for well over a decade.

Appointed as national team coach in 2017 to replace Uruguayan Jorge Fossati, Sanchez’s association with football in the Gulf state stretches back to his arrival at the Aspire Academy in 2006 from Barcelona.

Queiroz primed to guide IR Iran into untravelled territory

Fri, 11 Nov, 2022

Queiroz primed to guide IR Iran into untravelled territory

Kuala Lumpur: Carlos Queiroz’s return to the helm of the Islamic Republic of Iran may have come late in the day, but the former Real Madrid head coach’s influence has already been felt within a team that has become synonymous with the Portuguese tactician.

Team Melli and Queiroz have become entwined with one another over the last decade, the 69-year-old leading the Iranians to the FIFA World Cup Finals in both 2014 and 2018 as he forged a unique bond with one of Asia’s leading footballing nations.

Korea Republic's Bento raring to face unique challenge

Thu, 10 Nov, 2022

Korea Republic's Bento raring to face unique challenge

Kuala Lumpur: Paulo Bento will take Korea Republic to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 looking to overcome his own disappointing memories of a previous tournament while taking on his homeland in the group phase in a highly personal clash.

Capped 35 times as a player for Portugal, the former midfielder experienced reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2000 with his nation while claiming the Portuguese league title with Sporting before taking over as an academy coach at the Lisbon-based club in 2004.

Japan's Moriyasu gets his date with destiny

Tue, 08 Nov, 2022

Japan's Moriyasu gets his date with destiny

Kuala Lumpur: Hajime Moriyasu overcame doubts about his tenure midway through the qualifiers to steer Japan to Qatar 2022 and maintain his nation’s record of qualifying for the Finals every time since the Samurai Blue made their FIFA World Cup debut in France in 1998.

The 54-year-old’s time in charge looked destined to end when, after losses against Oman and Saudi Arabia in their first three games of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™, the calls for a new head coach were growing louder by the day.