FIFA.com - News

Choi names experienced squad

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:05:00 GMT

New Korea Republic coach Choi Kang-Hee has named an experienced squad for the crucial upcoming Brazil 2014 qualifier against Kuwait, with the eight-time FIFA World Cup™ finalists having no margin for error.

Tufegdzic: Nothing is impossible

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:59:00 GMT

Goran Tufegdzic speaks to FIFA.com about his Kuwait team’s final third-round qualifier in Korea Republic, which they need to win to keep their Brazil 2014 hopes alive, and their preparations for the make-or-break clash.

Mixed results for Asian pacesetters

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:07:00 GMT

There were differing fortunes for the frontrunners in Asia as Australia's Central Coast Mariners were held and Qatar's Lekhwiya suffered a fourth defeat, while Brisbane Roar and Al Ain of UAE both claimed wins.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ali: Lebanon game will be decisive

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:13:00 GMT

FIFA.com spoke to Waleed Ali about winning his 100^th cap, the upcoming clash with Lebanon and the progress football has made in Kuwait in recent years.

Nasaf clinch final victory

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:01:00 GMT

Ilkhom Shomurodov and Andrejs Pereplotkins both scored to help Nasaf secure a 2-1 victory over Kuwait SC in the AFC Cup final as they became the first Uzbekistan side to seal the honours.

Nasaf, Kuwait SC into final

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:55:00 GMT

Nasaf become the first Uzbek team to reach the AFC Cup final following a narrow aggregate victory over Jordanian champions Al Wehdat, while Kuwait SC reached their second final in three years after beating Iraq's Arbil.

Enraptured by 'rabonas'

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:16:00 GMT

FIFA.com tracks the origins and greatest practitioners of the rabona, one of football's flashiest moves and a deft little party trick for the ages.

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.

Antar: Lebanon can spring a surprise

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:10:00 GMT

Lebanon captain Roda Antar spoke with FIFA.com about his side's potential after a stunning win over United Arab Emirates in Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014 and his developing captaincy role under new coach Theo Bucker.

Talajic expects Kuwait to battle on

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:05:00 GMT

Kuwait SC coach Dragan Talajic expects his side to battle on in their AFC Cup semi-final second leg against Arbil, despite missing five players for the crucial game.

Nasaf book semi-final berth

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:45:00 GMT

Nasaf have reached the AFC Cup semi-finals, defeating Chonburi on penalties, while Kuwait SC are also through after drawing Muang Thong United 0-0 to go through 1-0 on aggregate.

Muang Thong, Persipura look to bounce back

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:45:00 GMT

While Muang Thong United look to overcome a one-goal deficit against Kuwait SC in the AFC Cup quarter-finals, Persipura Jayapura and Chonburi face stiff tests against Arbil and Nasaf respectively.

Muang Thong struck by injury, Nasaf eye win

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:43:00 GMT

Ahead of the AFC Cup quarter-finals, Muang Thong United manager Henrique Calisto has expressed his concern over a depleted squad, while Nasaf face a tough away match against Chonburi.

Favourites shocked across Asia

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:00:00 GMT

It was a night of shocks and surprises in Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as China lost out and Japan, Korea Republic and Iran were all held to draws.

Test two for Asian hopefuls

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:24:00 GMT

With Australia in Saudi Arabia, Japan visiting Uzbekistan and Iran making the trip to Qatar, FIFA.com previews Matchday 2 in the third round of Asian Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 09:05:00 GMT

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com looks across the upcoming week of birthdays, with the likes of Marcelo Balboa, Filippo Inzaghi and Jazier Zanetti all set to celebrate.

Korea Republic face familiar foes

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:55:00 GMT

Korea Republic will have a sense of déjà vu as they set out to reach the FIFA World Cup for the eighth consecutive time, with Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Lebanon their opposition in Group B.

Favourites prevail in Asian qualifiers

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:27:00 GMT

Singapore celebrated, while China PR were among the biggest winners as the final places in Asia's third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers were decided. FIFA.com rounds up the action.

China score six, Saudis hit five

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:56:00 GMT

Asia's big guns in the preliminary qualification for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ saw their names make it into Saturday's Preliminary Draw with big wins as Saudi Arabia and China scored five and six apiece.

Qualifying tales through the ages

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:32:00 GMT

With the draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ set for Saturday, FIFA.com looks back on some of the more weird, wonderful and ground-breaking qualifiers since the first almost 80 years ago.

Asian hopefuls in do or die deciders

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Asia's second round of qualifiers reaching a climax today, with no fewer than 30 sides battling it out on the road to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. You can follow the action live on FIFA.com.

Asian favourites draw first blood

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Asia, which saw the traditional favourites take an advantage over their underdog opponents.

Thirty hopefuls begin road to round three

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 06:55:00 GMT

Some intriguing second round, first legs are in store, with Kuwait-Philippines, Qatar-Vietnam, Singapore-Malaysia and United Arab Emirates-India catching the eye.

Philippines out to scale new heights

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:19:00 GMT

Philippines coach Michael Weiss says the odds may be stacked against his side in their upcoming preliminary qualifier with Kuwait but, full of optimism after beating Sri Lanka 5-1, they may have a chance.

Goalkeeping's bright future

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:49:00 GMT

Two of the biggest transfers of the summer so far have seen goalkeepers Manuel Neuer and David de Gea make lucrative moves, but they are just the tip of an emergent young shot-stopping generation.

Favourites prevail in Asian qualifiers

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:16:00 GMT

Australia were among the AFC heavyweights who coasted through to the final round of qualifiers for London 2012, while the likes of Oman and Malaysia sprung major surprises.

Persipura, Chonburi book last-eight places

Wed, 25 May 2011 17:44:00 GMT

Persipura Jayapura defeated Song Lam Nghe An 3-1 and Chonburi cruised to a comfortable win against Sriwijaya to reach the AFC Cup quarter-finals, as did Kuwait SC and Jordan big guns Al Wehdat.

Rising Arab stars making their mark

Thu, 19 May 2011 08:20:00 GMT

Adel Taarabt, Bader Al Mutwa, Abdelmoumene Djabou, Yousef Ahmad, Youssef El Arabi have elevated themselves into the spotlight recently. FIFA.com looks at the arresting form of these exciting attackers.

Al Khatib: My World Cup dream

Wed, 04 May 2011 08:12:00 GMT

Syrian striker Firas Al Khatib speaks to FIFA.com about his club career with Kuwait's Al Qadissiyah, playing with Pep Guardiola and his ambition of firing his country to a FIFA World Cup.

Al Wehdat first through in AFC Cup

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:55:00 GMT

Jordan's Al Wehdat are the first team into the AFC Cup knockout stage maintaining their perfect record with a 1-0 win over Kuwait SC, while Vietnam's Song Lam Nghe An, Hong Kong's TSW Pegasus and Thailand's Chonburi all won easily.

Kezman strikes, Carrijo nets four

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:55:00 GMT

Mateja Kezman gave South China a much needed first win in the AFC Cup, giving their prospects of qualifying from Group H a boost, while Leandro Carrijo scored four in a 5-3 goalfest between TSW Pegasus and VB.

East Bengal, South China futures at stake

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:39:00 GMT

East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan and South China coach Chan Ho Yin both expect their AFC Cup Group H match to be especially critical in their campaign to stay in the competition.

Asia/Oceania Leagues review

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:25:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly look at league football across Asia and Oceania reviews action in Iran, Korea Republic, China, New Zealand, Kuwait, Oman and India where the derby of the season took place.

Al Motawa aiming high with Al Nasr

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 07:50:00 GMT

Kuwaiti international striker Badr Al Motawa is making his mark with Saudi Arabian giants Al Nasr after a loan move from homeland side Al Qadissiyah earlier this year.

Asia/Oceania Leagues review

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 08:47:00 GMT

The season began in China PR with a series of upsets, while Daejeon Citizen broke a long drought by going top in Korea Republic. FIFA.com also visits Iran, Kuwait and New Zealand, as well as Lebanon where the title was won.

Brazil 2014 draw stirs Asian hopefuls

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:02:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the Asian qualifying draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ which has thrown up a host of intriguing match-ups as some of the continents smaller footballing nations seek a share of the spotlight.

Asia's Brazil 2014 draw made

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:26:00 GMT

The AFC has conducted the draw for Asia’s first and second round qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

Asian Zone to play preliminary round for Brazil 2014

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:38:00 GMT

The members of the Asian Football Confederation are gearing up to begin the race for FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil, with the draw for qualification set to take place on 30 March in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Al Qadsia gain revenge over Al Ittihad

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:36:00 GMT

Kuwait's Al Qadsia gained a measure of revenge for defeat in last year's AFC Cup final as second-half goals from Firas Al Khatib and Hamid Inizi helped them to victory against defending champions Al Ittihad of Syria.

Oman among Asia’s beach representatives

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:01:00 GMT

The three Asian qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Ravenna 2011 have been finalised, with Japan and Iran joined by newcomers Oman, who will make their first appearance on sand among the world’s elite.

Muang Thong triumph, South China stumble

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:24:00 GMT

Thai champions Muang Thong United commenced their AFC Cup campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Hanoi T&T, while new signings Mateja Kezman and Nicky Butt failed to lift South China past Persipura Jayapura.

Champs Al Ittihad make winning start

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

AFC Cup holders Al Ittihad began their title defence in winning fashion with the Syrians edging a 2-1 win over Al Saqr, while Indian champions Dempo were victorious by the same scoreline against Yemen's Al Tilal.

Asian hopefuls commence journey

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Asia’s exhaustive qualifying campaign for the 2012 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament will kick off this week with just three of the 35 hopefuls guaranteed a place in London.

Asia/Oceania leagues review

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:06:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s review of action across Asia and Oceania looks at the leagues of Iran, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand and Kuwait in what generally proved to be a fruitful weekend for the respective frontrunners.