Saudi Arabia's injured Al-Faraj out of the World Cup
Al RAYYAN, Qatar : Injured Saudi Arabia captain Salman Al-Faraj is out of the World Cup after coach Herve Renard agreed to let him leave the camp, the Saudi Football Association said on Sunday.
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Morocco switch goalkeepers before kick off v Belgium
DOHA : Morocco made a mystery switch of goalkeepers at the last moment before kickoff in their World Cup Group F game against Belgium as Munir El Kajoui came on to replace Yassine Bounou.
Germany fighting for survival as Spain, Japan eye last 16
DOHA: Germany face a fight for World Cup survival on Sunday in a must-win clash with Spain as Japan and Belgium look to seal their place in the last 16. For the second World Cup running, Germany will suffer a humiliating exit in the group phase if they lose their Group E clash with in-form Spain at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Odds stacked against African teams at World Cup, says Ghana coach
DOHA: Ghana coach Otto Addo said Sunday the chances of an African team reaching the latter stages of the World Cup will remain limited until the continent is awarded more places at the tournament. No African side has ever gone beyond the quarter-finals at a World Cup, although Ghana were a missed penalty away from reaching the last four at South Africa in 2010. Addo, speaking on the eve of his team’s Group H match against South Korea, said Africa, with 54 teams, deserved more slots.
Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ past best, admits Hazard
DOHA: Eden Hazard admitted Saturday that Belgium’s best chance to win the World Cup had come and gone but said they still have the quality and experience to lift the trophy in Qatar. Belgium, who finished third at the tournament in Russia in 2018, are still ranked second in the world but many of the much-vaunted “Golden Generation” are now in their 30s. “To be fair I think we had a better chance to win four years go,” admitted 31-year-old Hazard, speaking on the eve of Sunday’s match against Morocco.
Japan make five changes for Costa Rica World Cup match
DOHA: Japan made five changes from their team that beat Germany in their World Cup opener as they face Costa Rica on Sunday.Attackers Ritsu Doan, who came on and scored against Germany, Yuki Soma and Ayase Ueda come into the starting line-up as Japan look to take a big step toward the knockout round.Right-back Miki Yamane replaces the injured Hiroki Sakai, while fit-again midfielder Hidemasa Morita comes in for Ao Tanaka.Costa Rica make only two changes to the team that started the campaign with a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Spain in Group E.Teenage winger Jewison Bennette and defender Carlos Martinez drop to the bench, with Gerson Torres and Kendall Waston replacing them.Starting line-ups:Japan (4-2-3-1)Shuichi Gonda; Miki Yamane, Kou Itakura, Maya Yoshida (captain), Yuto Nagatomo; Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita; Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma; Ayase UedaCoach: Hajjime MoriyasuCosta Rica (5-3-2)Keylor Navas; Keysher Fuller, Oscar Duarte, Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Kendall Waston; Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Gerson Torres; Anthony Contreras, Joel CampbellCoach: Luis Fernando Suarez (COL)Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Qatar’s migrant workers enjoy World Cup on the cheap
Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo and her children attend the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match with Jorge Messi (C), Lionel Messi’s father, between Argentina and Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on November 26, 2022. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Reality check for Saudi Arabia at World Cup after 2-0 loss to Poland
AL RAYYAN, Qatar: Fresh from writing their names into footballing folklore after a fairytale win over Argentina, Saudi Arabia were handed a harsh reality check at the World Cup on Saturday (Nov 26) after losing 2-0 to Poland.