FIFA.com - News

Comebacks, upsets and records

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:11:00 GMT

Thrilling comeback victories in Australia and India along with surprise results in Iran, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates highlight FIFA.com’s round-up of domestic events in Asia and Oceania.

Players to watch in 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:40:00 GMT

From Thiago Alcantara through Ross Barkley to Julian Draxler, FIFA.com casts an eye over some of football's most exciting emerging talents, for whom 2012 promises to be a landmark year.

Foolad keep Mes Sarcheshmeh bottom

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:46:00 GMT

Mes Sarcheshmeh are rooted to the bottom of the table in Iran after a 4-0 loss to Foolad, while Perspolis cruised to a 4-1 victory over Shahin FC.

Esteghlal lead with Damash win

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:18:00 GMT

Esteghlal maintained a four-point lead at the summit of the Iran Pro League after a 1-0 win over Damash, while Naft Tehran remained second with a 1-0 defeat of Mes.

Leaders pull clear amid upsets

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:48:00 GMT

Some unexpected results helped Central Coast Mariners and Lekhwiya improve their leads in Australia and Qatar respectively, while it was a good weekend for Kuwait’s Al-Jahra and Nejmeh of Lebanon.

Naft Tehran edge closer to Esteghlal

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:19:00 GMT

Mohammad Mehrazma scored the lone goal as Naft Tehran moved within three points of leaders Esteghlal with a 1-0 home win over Fajr Sepasi, while Malavan overcame Persepolis.

Saipa cruise to victory

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:12:00 GMT

Karim Ansarifard scored twice as midtable Saipa crushed Sanat Naft 4-0, while struggling Tehran heavyweights Persepolis were held 1-1 at home by Foolad.

Debutants eye Asian glory

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:17:00 GMT

The 2012 AFC Champions League draw has thrown up numerous fascinating groups but much of the focus will be on the performance of continental debutants who have impressed in securing their respective domestic titles.

Leaders trip up in Australia, UAE

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:17:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at Australia and United Arab Emirates, where the elite are suddenly under intense pressure, as well as the latest from Iran, Thailand and Oceania.

Captains dominate Asian scene

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:11:00 GMT

The likes of Server Djeparov, Younis Mahmoud and Park Chu-Young have been in inspirational form during Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014 while donning the captain’s armband, proving that a good skipper leads from the front.

A star returns to school, Russia win again

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:49:00 GMT

After the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011, the development of the game has moved at incredible pace and over the last two months Russia claimed yet another crown, while an El Salvador star has hit the books.

Esteghlal take three-point lead with Shahin win

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 06:42:00 GMT

Mojtaba Jabari scored a treble to lead Esteghlal to a 3-2 win over Shahin FC and a three-point lead over nearest challengers Naft Tehran.

Eriksson in talks with Persepolis

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:55:00 GMT

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has held talks with Iran's Persepolis with a view to coaching the Tehran giants.

Naft Tehran fail to take summit

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 06:39:00 GMT

Naft Tehran missed the chance to go clear at the top after they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Saba Battery, leaving Esteghlal ahead on goal difference, although the leaders have played a game less.

Four spots left in Asia

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:18:00 GMT

The window of opportunity to reach the next stage of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification continues to get smaller in Asia, with only four berths remaining after Australia, Iran and Iraq all sealed their passage.

Iran on the cusp after comfortable win

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:41:00 GMT

Iran won 4-1 away to Indonesia to move on to the verge of reaching the next phase in Asian Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Scores to settle on fifth matchday

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 15:38:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to Matchday 5 of Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, when the likes of Australia, Iraq, Korea Republic and Qatar will be aiming to book their place in the next round.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:49:00 GMT

Our pick of the week's best quotes features Michel Bastos on the best player in Ligue 1, Pablo Zabaleta on following in the footsteps of an Argentinian idol, and Yann M'Vila on France's aims for UEFA EURO 2012.

Three through, five out in Asia

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a matchday on which Japan, Uzbekistan and Jordan sealed berths in the fourth round and the hopes of Indonesia, Korea DPR, Singapore, Tajikistan and United Arab Emirates were ended.

Last-gasp Iran deny Bahrain

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:33:00 GMT

Iran’s Mojtaba Jabari struck an 11th-hour leveller to deny Bahrain victory and keep his nation on track for a place in the fourth phase of continental qualifying.

Quartet well placed, five stare at abyss

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:49:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews Friday’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers in Asia where four nations can sew up their passage to the next stage, including what would be a historic moment for Jordan.

China's Brazil dreams on a knife-edge

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:56:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ continues on Friday with China PR on the brink of elimination, while the continent's elite are well placed with two further matchdays to come.

Asia's top-ten announced

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:14:00 GMT

The second shortlist of contenders for the 2011 AFC Player of the Year award has been announced and includes continental stars such as Japan pair Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa, plus Uzbekistan's Server Djeparov.

Queiroz: Iran are achieving consistency

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:03:00 GMT

Six months into his tenure, Carlos Queiroz has Iran well positioned in their push for Brazil 2014 with the former Real Madrid and Portugal coach telling FIFA.com about the team's growth and his ambitions on the world stage.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:34:00 GMT

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names from Planet Football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week.

Getting to grips with the ‘gol olímpico’

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:43:00 GMT

FIFA.com tackles the history and curling dynamics of the so-called Olympic Goal, one of those rare strikes -- with its roots in the 1920s -- that flies in directly from a corner kick.

Esteghlal move top

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:55:00 GMT

Esteghlal took over top spot in the Iran Pro League after Milad Meidavoudi's second-half goal sealed a 1-0 win over Mes Sarcheshmeh.

Asian success sends Iran soaring

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:57:00 GMT

Since Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz's appointment, Iran have embarked on an impressive journey in Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014, which has propelled them up eight places in the World Ranking.

Bluewings eye continental hat-trick

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:13:00 GMT

With an AFC Champions League semi-final looming this Wednesday, K-League elite Suwon Bluewings are just three matches away from a return to their former glory on the continental stage.

Esteghlal draw, climb to seventh

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:53:00 GMT

Esteghlal leapfrogged a defeated Teraktor Sazi into second place in the Iran Pro League after grinding out a 1-1 draw with Rah Ahan.

Shots, sensations and smashed records

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:55:00 GMT

New records in Greece, Uruguay and the Netherlands feature alongside impressive qualifying showings from the likes of Japan, Spain, Venezuela and Niger in FIFA.com's latest stats review.

Goalfest creates excitement in Asia

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:06:00 GMT

Media praise was widespread for the major Asian winners of Tuesday’s round of Brazil 2014 qualifiers, most notably in Australia, Japan and Iran.

Asian heavyweights nearly there

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:53:00 GMT

Asia’s top sides ran riot today in qualifying for Brazil 2014, with Japan going goal crazy against the Tajiks while Australia and Iran also had comfortable evenings.

Asian favourites seek dominance

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:28:00 GMT

The halfway mark of Asia’s third qualifying round for Brazil 2014 features a number of potentially decisive match-ups with Iran against Bahrain, and China's match-up with Iraq, amongst the highlights.

Experienced Salmeen leading by example

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 06:31:00 GMT

Veteran Bahrain international Mohamed Salmeen sat down for a chat with FIFA.com to discuss his recall to the national team and his hopes of beating Iran and reaching the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Leaders stumble, contenders shine

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:34:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s regular review of Asian club football takes in Japan, Korea Republic, Iran, China PR, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Thailand on what largely proved a weekend to forget for the leading elite.

Nekounam: Let’s bring back glory days

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:41:00 GMT

FIFA.com chats to Iran captain Javad Nekounam about the difficulty of replacing international legends, working with new coach Carlos Queiroz and his nation’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.

Pedigree shines as former kings reign

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews this week’s AFC Champions League action in which four former continental winners progressed to the last four headed by a pair of Korea Republic teams, Jeonbuk Motors and Suwon Bluewings.

Sepahan crash out to Al Sadd

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:58:00 GMT

Sepahan crashed out of the AFC Champions League to Al Sadd after forfeiting their first leg to lose 4-2 on aggregate, while Suwon Blue Wings defeated Zobahan 3-2 on aggregate to advance to the semi-finals.

Lee grabs four as Jeonbuk progress

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:32:00 GMT

Lee Dong-Gook hit four goals as Jeonbuk Motors defeated Cerezo Osaka 6-1 on Tuesday to advance to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League.

Zob Ahan’s Iraqi import

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com managed to grab a word with Hawar Mula Mohammed, the Iraq international who is hoping to fire his new club Zob Ahan to glory in the AFC Champions League.

Sepahan stripped of vital Asian win

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:59:00 GMT

Iran's Sepahan have been stripped of a vital AFC Champions League win and handed a 3-0 forfeit for fielding an ineligible player in the competition's quarter-finals.

Asian hopefuls face do-or-die

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the midweek AFC Champions League quarter-final action with all three Korea Republic representatives facing an uphill battle to maintain their nation’s proud record in the continent’s elite competition.

Varied weekend for leading lights

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:01:00 GMT

FIFA.com examines the differing fortunes of the leaders in Japan, Korea Republic and China, while further west the Qatar season began, the Tehran derby took place and Diego Maradona made his coaching debut in the UAE.

Mixed fortunes for Asian favourites

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:45:00 GMT

The return of the AFC Champions League saw the favoured teams endure diverse fortunes with two-time winners Al Ittihad well placed for a semi-final berth, while Korea Republic’s trio of representatives were unable to muster a win.

Cerezo edge thriller, Bluewings held

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:49:00 GMT

Cerezo Osaka fought from behind three times to edge Jeonbuk Motors 4-3 in the first leg of their quarter-final, while Suwon Bluewings drew at home to Zob Ahan and Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad overpowered FC Seoul.

Tactical revolution unseats Brazil

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:30:00 GMT

More evenly contested than some of its predecessors, the sixth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup proved an engrossing event, ending with the tactically astute Russians deposing mighty Brazil.

Korean trio out to challenge Asia

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:56:00 GMT

The race to be crowned Asia’s best club team recommences this week with the AFC Champions League quarter-final line-up headed by three Korea Republic participants.

Asian pacesetters maintain momentum

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly look at domestic football across Asia sweeps from the east, where Japan, Korea Republic and China are in the spotlight, to the west, where action in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Jordan is reviewed.

Win moves Teraktor above Esteghlal

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:59:00 GMT

Teraktor Sazi beat Esteghlal 3-2 to move above them to the top of the Iran Pro League, Saba Battery are third after a 1-0 win over Malavan, with Naft Tehran's victory against Saipa seeing them into fourth.