Category: Qatar 2022 World Cup

 Holland must beware of Argentina’s “quiet” assassin Julian Alvarez when they meet in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday, his Manchester City team-mate Nathan Ake said.

Forward Alvarez has hit form for Argentina in Qatar, scoring in their final group game against Poland and again in their last-16 win over Australia.

The 22-year-old has also made an impact since joining City in the close season and Ake warned his Dutch team-mates not to under-estimate him despite his low-key demeanour.

 “As a player he’s very technical, very difficult to mark even in training, very sharp, good finishing, so it will be tough,” defender Ake said yesterday. “He’s a great player but also a great guy off the pitch. He’s a little bit quiet.

 “He’s still learning English and he comes from a different environment so it’s all new for him but he’s fitted in really well.”

The Dutch have already beaten the champions of Africa, Asia and North America at this World Cup and are aiming to add the reigning South American title-holders to that list.

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Ake said trying to stop Argentina’s Lionel Messi will be “a good challenge” and he is excited at the prospect of a showdown between two of the World Cup’s iconic teams.

 “Argentina fans are very good – they are always there, they create a great atmosphere,” he said. “They love football, they go there to see football and they enjoy it and as football players you want that atmosphere.”

Argentina beat the Dutch  on penalties in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup after a tense 0-0 draw in Sao Paulo.

Louis van Gaal was the Dutch coach then as he is now, and Ake said the players want to “fight for him and do well for him” before he steps down at the end of the tournament.

 “Ever since he came in he’s been great for us, he’s very direct and he lets everyone know where he stands,” he said of Van Gaal. “If you’re a starter or if you’re a bench player you know exactly what you have to do in the team.

 “I think that makes it very clear for everyone.”

Ake said Van Gaal was “a very good guy” off the pitch who “doesn’t want any sympathy” after undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

 “It’s very inspiring,” said Ake. “He never really speaks about it so I think that’s maybe the biggest part.”

Son Heung-min apologised after his South Korean side exited the World Cup following a sobering 4-1 defeat to favourites Brazil in the last 16 in Qatar.

The captain and talisman was powerless as Brazil scored four times in the first half on Monday, before Paik Seung-ho netted a 76th-minute consolation for the outclassed Koreans.

South Korea have still never won a World Cup knockout tie outside of their home country.

 “I can only apologise to our fans for not living up to their expectations,” said the 30-year-old Tottenham forward, who played in a mask in Qatar following facial surgery last month.

 “We did our best but I think we played a very difficult game,” he told TV reporters.

“Still, there is no doubt that all the players battled proudly, devoted themselves and worked hard to get this far.

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 “The players and staff really did their best to prepare for this match, so I hope you understand.”

South Korea coach Paulo Bento announced in the immediate aftermath of the heavy defeat that he would not be staying on, a decision he said was made in September.

The 53-year-old former Portugal international had been in charge since 2018.

Son, who failed to score at the tournament and showed only fleeting glimpses of his best form, said he was sorry to see the boss go.

 “I never once had any doubt about the style of football he pursued,” Son told Korean media in a reference to critics, who said Bento was too cautious at times.

 “A lot of people had reservations about it but they all cheered for us when we played well at the World Cup here. We were able to execute things we’d worked on for the last four years.”

 “It’s really sad to see him go,” Son added.

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has heaped plaudits on the resolute Moroccan national team following their 3-0 win over 2010 world champions Spain via penalties in the round of 16.

The North Africans have never reached the last eight of the tournament but has now joined Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana as only African teams to reach the quarterfinals.

The game had ended goalless in 120 minutes of football dominated by Luis Enrique’s side with penalties required to settle the contest.

Okocha on Supersport duties as one of the international analysts praised the Atlas Lions’ desire to defend against one of the best teams in the world.

“They have done ever so well. Well deserved (win) as well.. It takes a lot of courage… It takes a lot to defend for over 120 minutes without losing focus, without losing concentration.

“They deserve every bit of luck because penalties can go either way but what a performance and congratulations,” the onetime PSG midfielder said on SuperSport.

Read Also: Regragui wants ‘swinging’ Morocco against Spain

Speaking further on the penalty shootout, Okocha noted the belief in Sevilla’s Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou who kept out the kicks to win the game.

“From the body language of the keeper, he trusts himself, he’s very confident. He trusts in his ability.

“It looked like this is the only way they could have won the game because they got battered when it came to possession play but when your game is to defend, you should at least have some qualities when it gets to penalties. And that’s what they showed,” the Nigerian who played at the 1994,1998 and 2002 World Cups stated.

On the impact of the win, Okocha insisted  that Morocco’s feat should get the African continent more slots at the next World Cup in 2026.

“It’s all about Africa. We’ve got a team in the quarterfinals which perhaps gives us maybe a better slot in the next World Cup,” he said.” You want to see an African team progress and we’re happy that Morocco is through – and respect because of the way they did it.

“How can you have 21% possession and two shots? Spain had over 70% and one shot on target. It shows organization, it shows discipline, it shows how to play to your strengths. Deservedly they won the game. Well deserved,” Okocha concluded.

Louis van Gaal, one of football’s most outspoken characters, has gone against the grain and doubted the capabilities of World Cup favourites Argentina and Brazil.

Holland meet Argentina this Friday bidding to reach the semi-finals for the second time under Van Gaal – the first when they lost to Lionel Messi’s side in 2014.

Risking enraging his opponents in the quarter-finals, Van Gaal praised Messi, but said that he could also prove to be a weak link for the two-time winners.

 “He is indeed the most dangerous player who creates the most chances and also makes them himself,” he told NOS (via Voetbal Zone). “But on the other hand he does not play much with the opponent when he has possession of the ball. That is also where our chances lie.”

Having watched Brazil eviscerate South Korea on Monday night in a performance many are labelling the best of the tournament thus far, Van Gaal again risked enraging an entire country with his rather contrarian beliefs on their play. 

“I’ve seen them, that’s just a counter team,” the former Ajax and Manchester United boss said. “I read in the Dutch media that it was sparkling, but that is just a counter team. South Korea has only attacked.”

Read Also: Qatar 2022: Argentina edge Australia to reach quarter-finals

Meanwhile, Holland’s quarter-final clash risks reigniting one of the great World Cup rivalries – with Argentina having largely had the upper hand over the Dutch in years gone by.

Argentina won their maiden crown in 1978 by beating Holland, ensuring their players the anguish of losing back-to-back finals.

While Van Gaal himself was personally burnt in 2014 when he watched his side go out on penalties to Argentina in Sao Paulo.

Most modern football figures might have been expected to downplay the relevance of 2014, but not Van Gaal, who said his side have a score to settle.

“We still have a score to settle,” he said. “I don’t like to think about it because I thought we would win and then I also exchanged for the win.

“I would like to convince the people at home to just go and watch the game and cheer for us. Then we will derive a lot of support from that.”

The Dutchman, likely undertaking his final job in management having started his career in the early 1990s, has battled cancer and is now bidding to win Holland their maiden World Cup triumph. 

Surrey Police have confirmed they are investigating a report of a burglary at the home of England forward Raheem Sterling.

England manager Gareth Southgate said on Sunday night the Chelsea star had returned to the UK from the team’s World Cup camp in Qatar to be with his family.

A statement from Surrey Police read: “We are currently investigating a report of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead.

“Police were contacted just before 9pm on Saturday, December 3 after the occupants of the property came home and discovered a number of items including jewellery and watches had been stolen. Enquiries to establish the circumstances are under way and the investigation is ongoing.

“No threat of violence was involved as the items were discovered stolen retrospectively. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”

The news of the break-in led to Sterling being unavailable for Sunday night’s 3-0 victory over Senegal, which has taken England into the World Cup quarter-finals.

It is not yet clear whether the 27-year-old will return for Saturday’s match against France, with Southgate admitting he and everyone else would have to “wait and see” regarding Sterling’s availability.

“Raheem, as the FA statement said, is having to deal with a family situation, so he’s going back to England,” the England boss said in the press conference at Al Bayt Stadium.

“We’ve got to give him time to try to resolve that or be there for his family. That’s the most important thing at this time, so we’re going to give him that space.

“It didn’t impact team selection. I spent a lot of time with Raheem this morning, but you know you have days where events happen and you have to deal with them.

“He’s on his way home and, yeah, we’re obviously mindful of him being allowed space and (having) privacy respected, so we don’t want to talk in too much detail.

“Of course it’s not ideal for the group ahead of a big game, but it pales into insignificance – the individual is more important than the group in those moments.

“So, I needed to look after the situation and then I had to pass it on to others to deal with this afternoon in order to get him home.”

England captain Harry Kane sent his best wishes to Sterling at the man of the match press conference in Al Khor.

“Our thoughts are with him and his family,” he said. “It is a private matter with him, but it’s never easy to see one of your team-mates and friends have to deal with something like that.

“We will take it day by day and take the best decision for him and his family.

“From us as a team we send him our best and hope to see him as soon as possible.”

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has urged his team to believe they can defeat powerhouse Spain as they attempt to reach a first World Cup quarter-final.

The north African side are in the last 16 for only the second time after advancing as winners of Group F ahead of 2018 runners-up Croatia, having defeated Belgium and Canada in Qatar.

“It will be a very testing game for us. We’re coming up against one of the best footballing nations in the world. I think they’re one of the favourites to reach the final,” Regragui said. “That said, we’ve also got things up our sleeve. We’ve had one extra rest day compared to them and we’re going to try and pull a surprise out of the bag.

“If we’re able to send Spain packing I think this will be a wonderful surprise not only for us but for our country.”

Spain denied Morocco a famous win at the 2018 World Cup with a last-gasp equaliser in a 2-2 draw, the only point the Moroccans picked up in Russia.

“We’re not seeking revenge at all. We’re not looking at what happened in the past,” said Regragui, who was appointed in August. “We’ve got a new generation and, for me, the mentality has to change with the Moroccan team. All the negative aspects, that’s the old Morocco, we’ve changed. Our country’s changed.”

Morocco, the lone Arab nation and the last African team remaining in Qatar, will have the vocal backing of thousands of fans for Tuesday’s game at Education City Stadium.

“We’ll come out swinging. We want to hoist the Moroccan flag way up high. We’re playing first and foremost for us and our country,” said Regragui.

“All Arabs and Africans, we want to make them happy. We want their prayers and we want their support so it can give us that extra ingredient to win. Before it was just the Moroccans that supported us.”

Morocco would become just the fourth African team to reach the quarter-finals – after Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 – if they beat the 2010 champions.

Morocco’s only other appearance in the last 16 came in 1986, when they lost 1-0 to eventual runners-up West Germany.

“I don’t think we should go out with any sort of complex,” said Regragui.

“Yes, we’re the underdog, but we know what Spain are made of and the recipe is easy. We shouldn’t be worried, we should have no regrets and give the best of ourselves.”

*Brazil to face Croatia in Q-Final

Neymar struck on his return from injury as Brazil produced a magical display to thump South Korea 4-1 and surge into the last eight.

The five-time world champions blitzed their opponents with a bewitching first-half display where they scored four times in 36 minutes.

Vinicius Junior steered home a lovely opener before Neymar moved to within one of Pele’s all-time record goal-haul for his country with a confident penalty on 13 minutes.

Richarlison then scored one of the goals of the tournament when he juggled the ball with his head before surging on to a sensational return pass from Thiago Silva to slot home.

South Korea simply had no answer as they were continually exposed trying to deploy a positive game-plan and it was no surprise when Lucas Paqueta volleyed in the fourth.

Brazil took their foot off the gas in the second period but still went close through Raphinha before substitute Paik Seung-Ho struck a sensational consolation for the Koreans 13 minutes from time.

Brazil will now look ahead to Friday’s quarter-final clash with 2018 runners-up Croatia.

Earlier, Croatia reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Japan after a tense last-16 clash ended 1-1.

Mario Pasalic struck the winning penalty to send Croatia through after Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th minute of normal time following Daizen Maeda’s opener for Japan just before the break.

“They gave us a hard game, but we knew that would be the case, it’s no coincidence that they beat Germany and Spain,” said Nikola Vlasic. “We had more chances and I think we deserved to win.”

Japan’s bid to reach the last eight for the first time in their history came to a crushing end after another display of the sort which saw them top Group E.

However, they could not claim one more big European scalp in the shape of the 2018 finalists and go home in the second round, as they did four years ago.

“The players showed us the future, a new era of Japanese football,” Moriyasu said. “We beat Germany, we beat Spain… If we take confidence in that, and if we think about overtaking these teams rather than just catching up, the future is bright.”

Bukayo Saka said England have nothing to fear as they prepare to take on reigning champions France in the World Cup quarter-finals.

England booked their place in the last eight with a comfortable 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday but the task ahead is a daunting one.

But Saka, who scored England’s third against Senegal, said at a press conference: “If you look at our first four games, we had three clean sheets. That shows how solid we are at the back and we have scored the most goals as well.

“I feel we have just got to prepare the best game plan and go there with confidence. We are playing really good right now.

“There is no doubt about the quality we have in our team. We are blessed with an amazing front line. There is so much quality attacking players.

“When you are selected, it shows how much confidence the boss has in you so that gives you that extra confidence to go out and shine. Last night we were able to do that.”

Saka was one of the players to miss from the spot when England were defeated on penalties by Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

That experience was a difficult one for the Arsenal forward but he feels he has come through it well and feels confident enough to take another penalty should it be necessary.

The 21-year-old said: “Obviously, I have matured and progressed a lot since that moment. I wouldn’t have stepped up the number of times I have for Arsenal if I was not confident.

“If the moment comes and I am selected to take it, I will be more than happy to.”

Raheem Sterling has left the England camp to return home following a break-in at his home.

Saka said: “He wished us the best yesterday as he was going back. I’ve messaged him and hopefully he’ll get back to me later. I just hope he and his family are OK.”