Match preview – Inside World Football

Brotherly love kissed goodbye as Qatar and Jordan line-up for Asian Cup final

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 10:17:53 +0000

February 9 – Qatar coach Marquez Lopez wants his team to cast Arab affinity to one side for 90 minutes as the defending champions and tournament hosts look to see off the Asian Cup’s surprise package Jordan on Saturday to retain the continental title.

The final at Lusail Stadium, only the second time the World Cup final stadium will have been used during the four-week event, will be the first to pit Arab nations against one another since 2007,

Ready to rock, Arabian style. Qatar and Iran take centrestage at Al Thumama

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 05:33:43 +0000

February 2 – After a big night of passion and a giant killing result that saw Jordan overcome South Korea to take their place in the Asian Cup final this weekend, it is the turn of hosts Qatar and Iran to battle for the right to play them.

The Qataris are – in name – pretty much the same team that played so disappointingly at the FIFA World Cup, but for the past month they looked to have recaptured the kind of form that drove them to the 2019 Asian Cup title in the UAE.

Asian Cup semi-finals: Jordan look to upset late-running Koreans

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 17:34:40 +0000

February 6 – The semi-finals of the Asian Cup kick off today with Jordan playing South Korea in the Ahmad bin Ali stadium in Doha. Tomorrow Qatar play Iran.

Jordan are making their debut in the semi-finals while South Korea have won the title twice before but not since 1960.

The Koreans start as firm favourites but they will need to start faster than they have in their other games. In the quarter finals they levelled against Australia in the last breath of added time,

Syria look to spring another last 16 surprise on Iran

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:40:13 +0000

January 30 – Syria will rely on their own strengths and philosophy against Iran in the round of 16, said manager Hector Cuper on the eve of their second-round encounter.

For the first time in history, the Syrians will feature in the last 16 of the tournament after finishing third in Group B behind both Australia and Uzbekistan.

They now take on three-time champions Iran, who were one of just two teams to maintain a perfect record in the group stages.

Bahrain undaunted by ‘life or death’ challenge of Japan

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:41:17 +0000

January 30 – Asian Cup hopefuls Bahrain will confront tournament favourites Japan on Wednesday afternoon at the Thumama Stadium in a round of 16 fixture that could completely change the complexion of the tournament.

Speaking ahead of his clash with four-time Asian Cup champions Japan on Wednesday afternoon, Bahrain manager Juan Antonio Pizzi said: “We are very optimistic. It will be a very tough match but we are well prepared, we need to be focused.”

“I have full confidence in my players.

Moriyasu quietly confident ahead of Japan’s clash with Bahrain

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 04:40:31 +0000

January 30 – Entering his press conference with an air of calmness and composure despite being ten minutes late, Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu explained his expectations heading into the round of 16 tie with Bahrain at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday evening.

“After the Indonesia game we had some time to rest. We trained well with good intensity and I expect a lot from tomorrow’s match.

“It doesn’t matter who we play in the knockout stage,

Who will blink first? Uzbekistan and Thailand evenly matched ahead of last 16 tie

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:01:07 +0000

January 29 – Someone is going to lose their no-loss record in tomorrow’s last 16 clash, with unbeaten Uzbekistan and Thailand set to lock horns at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Uzbekistan launched into the round of 16 after an impressive group stage, where the Uzbek’s started slow but revived to beat India and hold the high-flying Aussies to a 1-1 draw.

“We played well in the group stages,

Klinsmann vs Mancini, Korea vs Saudi. Klinsmann says there is no fear

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 04:35:34 +0000

January 28 – On the eve of South Korea’s blockbuster last 16 clash with Saudi Arabia, Jurgen Klinsmann has said he doesn’t fear anybody as his ‘hungry’ side seeks to defy the critics following a disappointing group stage.

“In all honesty, I don’t fear anybody, no fear but a lot of respect for every opponent we play – Malaysia, Jordan, and Bahrain,” said Klinsmann at a pre-match news conference.

“This is important.

Tajikistan and Šegrt want more from their Asian cup fairy tale debut

Paul Nicholson — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 11:41:10 +0000

January 27 – On the eve of the biggest match in Tajikistan’s history, manager Petar Šegrt has said his debutant side won’t assume the role of underdogs in their round-of-sixteen match against the United Arab Emirates.

The Tajiks finished second in Group A behind hosts Qatar following a dramatic, rearguard victory against ten-man Lebanon to clinch a ticket for the knockout stages, prompting wild celebrations by Šegrt and his players in Doha, and fans back home in the capital Dushanbe.

Arnold wants more from Aussies. Indonesia’s Yong down plays expectations

Paul Nicholson — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 10:53:45 +0000

January 27 – After finishing top of Group B with an unbeaten start to the competition, Australia are in solid form entering the knockout phase, but coach Graham Arnold believes they can do better.

“It’s obviously a great step to get through to the next round but I always have high expectations for the team. Overall we have done well but there’s still some ways to get better,” said Arnold (pictured).

“Indonesia are showing what the competition is all about.

Mancini defends his Saudi selections saying they are building for the future

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:42:40 +0000

January 24 – Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini said he will stick to his philosophy and team selection despite criticism of his team’s performances.

With a final first-round fixture against Thailand on Thursday, the Saudis are on course to clinch top spot in Group F after modest victories over Oman and nine-man Kyrgyzstan, but the six points have not shielded the Italian manager from criticism after he sent three players home at the start of the Asian Cup.

Moriyasu condemns Suzuki abuse; Iraq look to make it three in a row

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 03:08:34 +0000

January 24 – Japanese manager Hajime Moriyasu has come out in defense of his goalkeeper Zion Suzuki who claimed he suffered racial abuse on social media following his team’s 2-1 shock defeat against Iraq.

Born to a Ghanaian American father and a Japanese mother in the United States, Suzuki (pictured) was at fault for the opening goal after making mistakes against Vietnam in Japan’s curtain raiser as well. The number one said he would accept criticism of his performances but “would like people to stop making racist comments”,

Palestine yearn for winner takes all win against Hong Kong

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 23:06:34 +0000

By Samindra Kunti in Doha

January 22 – Makram Daboub believes that his side can clinch their first-ever ticket to the round of sixteen against Hong Kong, sticking to the standard of play that brought Palestine a draw with the United Arab Emirates.

The Palestinians picked themselves up from a 4-1 opening-match defeat against Iran to earn a valuable point against ten-man United Arab Emirates and on Tuesday they will be slight favourites to overcome Hong Kong,

Iran’s Ghalenoei says criticism unfair ahead of UAE group decider

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:15:34 +0000

January 22 – On the eve of Iran’s final group game with the United Arab Emirates, manager Amir Ghalenoei has lashed out at the criticism of his team’s performances and claimed that he has no issues with star striker Sardar Azmoun, who has not played a single minute in the tournament yet.

With two victories from two, Team Melli guaranteed their spot in the last 16 of the Asian Cup with a match to spare,

Klinsmann forced to change keeper as Korea prepare for Jordan

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:14:36 +0000

January 19 – Jurgen Klinsmann and South Korea want to win the Asian Cup for goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, whose training-ground injury has ruled him out of the tournament.

The German manager will put his trust in Jo Hyeon-woo for the second group game against Jordan. Earlier this week, Kim suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a training session.

“We are very sad about the injury, but it is part of the tournament,” said Klinsmann at a news conference.

Group C: Hong Kong reinforced for duel with high flying Iran

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 11:21:39 +0000

January 18 – Hong Kong manager Jorn Andersen has promised that his side will peak for their David-vs-Goliath clash against continental heavyweights Iran and improve from their 4-0 defeat in November in World Cup qualifying.

For the first time in the tournament, Andersen can count on a full squad of 26 players with Helio, one of the team captains, returning to match fitness. The naturalised Brazilian is a key part of the team’s setup and the central defender’s potential return to the side will be a significant boost as,