World Cup hosts Russia face an Egypt side buoyed by the likely return of star man Mohamed Salah on Tuesday (Jun 19) knowing a win will all but guarantee a place in the last 16. Egypt's Mohamed Salah (C) missed his team's defeat to Uruguay as he struggles to recover from the shoulder injury sustained during last month's Champions League Final AFP/KARIM JAAFAR Liverpool wizard Salah missed his team's defeat to Uruguay on Friday as he struggles to recover from the shoulder injury sustained during last month's Champions League Final. Salah's shoulder has continued to cause him problems in Russia, and last weekend he needed the help of three team-mates to put a shirt on during a training session. However the 26-year-old is desperate to start in what is a must-win game on Tuesday for the Pharoahs, who are playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov was bullish ahead of the match in Saint Petersburg that his team can rein in the … [Read more...] about All eyes on Salah as World Cup hosts take on Egypt
Asian 2018 world cup qualifiers
World Cup: Iran grab late victory against Morocco
Iran's players stormed the pitch at full-time as if they had won the World Cup rather than just their opening match after an own goal from Morocco's Aziz Bouhaddouz gifted them a dramatic 1-0 victory on Friday (Jun 15). Morocco's goalkeeper Munir Mohand Mohamedi (left) makes a save against Iran during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match. (Paul ELLIS/AFP) Wasteful finishing looked to have consigned this compelling contest at the Saint Petersburg Stadium to a goalless draw but Bouhaddouz's mistake in injury-time means Iran emerge as the early challengers to Spain and Portugal in Group B. Iran coach Carlos Queiroz, once of Real Madrid and Manchester United, insisted the chaos that has engulfed Spain this week offered no boost to these teams' chances, but this victory certainly cranks the pressure up a notch. When Bouhaddouz nodded in at the near post, Iran's substitutes could not resist rushing onto the field and when the final whistle blew moments later they were … [Read more...] about World Cup: Iran grab late victory against Morocco
World Cup: Saudi thumping offers little hope for Asian upturn in Russia
Asia's quartet of World Cup representatives failed to deliver a single victory four years ago and hopes of a turnaround in Russia are low, with continental powerhouses Japan and South Korea struggling for form. Asian anguish: Saudi Arabia's 5-0 thrashing by Russia got Asia's World Cup off to a terrible start. (AFP/Patrik STOLLARZ) Five nations qualified from the Asian confederation for the 2018 World Cup but Saudi Arabia's 5-0 thumping at the hands of the hosts in the tournament opener followed the pattern of miserable performances and results for Asian sides in Brazil. In the 16 years since Japan and South Korea hosted the tournament, with the latter reaching the semi-finals, they have each only made it beyond the group stages once, in 2010. Frenchman Philippe Troussier took Japan to the last 16 on home soil in 2002 but believes they have "no chance" of making the knockout phase this time despite avoiding the tournament favourites in their group. Japan sacked coach Vahid … [Read more...] about World Cup: Saudi thumping offers little hope for Asian upturn in Russia
Vietnam know how to resist West Asian rivals at Cup
Vietnam are in Group D at the tournament, along with three West Asian teams, including Iran, Iraq and Yemen, following a draw held late May 4 in Dubai. “We’ve been grouped with one of the strongest teams in Asia – Iran. Iraq and Yemen can be very tricky teams to face, but our players have experience playing West Asian teams,” Park said on the AFC website after the ceremony. Midfielder Que Ngoc Hai (left) and U23 players will be the core of the national team at the coming Asian Cup where Vietnam face tough rivals from the West Asia region. Photo: soha.vn The Korean coach noted that in the past, his squad overcame and drew even with several teams from that region. In the Asian Cup qualifier, Vietnam grabbed two draws against Jordan. In the World Cup 2018 qualification, Vietnam were also in the same group with Iraq. They allowed Iraq to equalize 1-1 in the last seconds of the first leg and lost with the minimum results of 0-1. Also, the U23 squad … [Read more...] about Vietnam know how to resist West Asian rivals at Cup
Việt Nam know how to resist West Asian rival at Cup
Viet Nam News Football HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese head coach Park Hang-seo said Việt Nam were in a tough grouping at the 2019 Asian Cup, but his players had experience facing strong rivals. Việt Nam are in Group D at the tournament, along with three West Asian teams, including Iran, Iraq and Yemen, following a draw held late Friday in Dubai. “We’ve been grouped with one of the strongest teams in Asia – Iran. Iraq and Yemen can be very tricky teams to face, but our players have experience playing West Asian teams,” Park said on the AFC website after the ceremony. The South Korean coach noted that in the past, his squad overcame and drew even with several teams from that region. In the Asian Cup qualifier, Việt Nam grabbed two draws against Jordan. In the 2018 World Cup qualification, Việt Nam were also in the same group with Iraq. They allowed Iraq to equalise 1-1 in the last seconds of the first leg and lost with the … [Read more...] about Việt Nam know how to resist West Asian rival at Cup