World Cup 2022 briefing: Asia’s best take intention at Croatia and Brazil

The major tournament

It took some time for an Asian staff to make a mark on the World Cup. Indonesia had been the primary to compete on the match, buying and selling because the Dutch East Indies in 1938, and had been battered 6–0 via eventual shedding finalists Hungary. The subsequent Asian facet to make it fared even worse. In 1954, South Korea had been mauled 9-0 via the Hungary facet of Puskás, Kocsis and Czibor, then belted 7-0 via a Turkish staff that may cross directly to lose 7-2 towards West Germany, who in flip had been thumped 8- 3 via Hungary within the teams prior to beating them 3–2 within the ultimate. Strange previous match, 1954.

But when Asia in spite of everything did hit, they hit large in 1966. North Korea began their marketing campaign in what was once then regarded as the trademark Asian taste, happening meekly 3-0 to the USSR. They had been as just right as out prior to Pak Seung-zin was the primary Asian to attain a World Cup purpose, salvaging a draw with a few mins to spare towards Chile. At which level all hell broke unfastened. The Koreans noticed off pre-tournament favorites Italy at Ayresome Park – Pak Doo-ik happening in historical past – then went 3 up in 24 mins towards Portugal, prior to Eusébio restored the previous old-world order. England, Eusébio, North Korea: the 3 large takeaways from 1966, and just right success getting everybody to agree which tale was once the best ever informed.

Since that gigantic step forward, it is been slender pickings for Asian facets. A plethora of group-stage exits and the occasional discuss with to the spherical of 16 … with one notable exception: co-hosts South Korea’s planetary-axis-bothering run to the semi-finals in 2002, the spotlight indisputably Ahn Jung-hwan getting the Better of Paolo Maldini to attain the golden purpose within the very final act of the good defender’s world profession. Probably for the most productive that VAR wasn’t about for the Spain recreation, however fourth position is fourth position, whichever method you flip it.

This time, on the other hand, it feels just like the tectonic plates are transferring. The Asian federation despatched six representatives to this World Cup, a complete boosted via Qatar’s host standing and Australia (sure, sure, however directors gotta administer) seeing off Peru in a qualification playoff. The continent has jointly seized its likelihood to polish. With Qatar the depressing exception, everybody has chipped in. Iran’s defeat of Wales was once one borne of delight, verve and bravado, carrying and political. Saudi Arabia pulled off an all-ages stunner towards Lionel Messi and Argentina. South Korea eased darkish horses Uruguay out of the operating with a dramatic never-say-die winner towards Portugal. Japan did just about all they may to double-whammy each Germany and Spain out within the teams; for 3 or 4 mins again there, it was once on.

After all that, every other couple of courageous last-16 exits could be one thing of a moist squib. For the ones taking historical past as their information, Croatia and Brazil will finish Asian resistance later lately, the similar previous, standard. But issue within the right here and now – that Croatia’s superannuated facet, “knackered” via their very own admission, is also no fit for Japan’s onerous press; that during Son Heung-min, South Korea have an attacker as unhealthy and productive as any person Brazil can box – and not anything is past the nation-states. Seismic shocks if the five-time winners and 2018 finalists are dispatched? Ignore the concomitant hoo-hah; they might be reasonable tremors at perfect.

Also believe that not one of the large groups have carried out persistently in Qatar, by no means thoughts proved themselves infallible. Should Japan and South Korea make it thru lately, they are going to play each and every different within the quarters. And then what? Well, why no longer. It’s been a very long time coming, however the World Cup may in spite of everything be Asia’s oyster. SM

Talking issues

Cash’s position-change was once at the cash
“I remember being told I was playing right-back in a pre-season friendly and I didn’t want to do it,” Matty Cash mentioned after Sabri Lamouchi moved the participant from central midfield to protection at Nottingham Forest. The Frenchman had noticed one thing within the teen than intended he may excel at the right-hand facet. Cash had regarded a reliable midfielder within the Championship however by no means a simple task for Premier League soccer. His health and dedication makes him a beautiful right-back, possessing each attacking and defensive qualities, attributes Aston Villa paid £16m for. No one can have predicted a couple of years in the past that Cash could be going toe-to-toe with Kylian Mbappé at a World Cup taking part in for Poland. In the last-16 defeat he inspired together with his trade and studying of the sport. It simply is going to turn that younger gamers must be open-minded about their futures, without reference to the place they’ve performed all over their early life. wu

Bellingham displays why he’s maximum sought after
There is nearly surely no staff in international soccer who would no longer need to have Jude Bellingham of their midfield. His arrival as an England participant has helped liberate the handbrake that Gareth Southgate’s critics ceaselessly discuss of, his cruising velocity thru midfield turning a punishing first half of – during which Senegal have been the easier staff – right into a 2-0 half-time lead. Bellingham has lengthy been connected with Liverpool, and had been they to search out the budget to shop for him from Dortmund, would indisputably supplant Jordan Henderson. For now, the 2 are world teammates and Bellingham laid at the Liverpool captain’s opener. Their face-to-face shared party resembled stags locking horns, and Henderson’s phase in it resembled some more or less transfer-window mating ritual to tempt the younger tyro to Merseyside. How Liverpool fanatics should hope they’ll see the pair have a good time in combination in a pink blouse. JB

For the previous quarter-century or so, for those who sought after to listen to a considerate voice speak about the intricacies of soccer’s position within the wider international you could not cross some distance flawed with Arsène Wenger. These days, although, Fifa’s leader of worldwide soccer building turns out to have followed a relatively much less nuanced outlook. Talking in regards to the groups to have suffered surprise early exits, Wenger identified the average drawback: they had been distracted via politics. “The groups [who went through] had been mentally in a position and had the mindset to concentrate on the contest and no longer on political demonstrations,” he mentioned. Disappointed within the nice guy? You and us each.

Meanwhile, where’s Doha’s best party at this World Cup? Go underground, on the bustling concourses and carriages of the city’s Metro system. It’s where fans congregate in a strange world of gleaming metal, driverless trains and gold-class lounges. But it comes with a hidden dark side. The $36bn project is blighted by the 2016 death of laborer Juanito B Pardillowho according to reports had been helping to excavate a tunnel while it was raining when it collapsed, something that went against safety rules. Four others were injured. They were part of an estimated 18,000 workers working for a construction contractor on the project at the time. AH

Global media-watch

In Argentina, former international Diego Latorre wrote in La Nación that Lionel Messi’s performance against Australia “was once his perfect ever” in a World Cup and without him the win “do not need been conceivable”. The former Boca Juniors forward said, unsurprisingly, that Messi was the difference in a tough last-16 tie. Messi was helped by his teammates playing to his strengths to make up for their own inadequacies. They will be hoping he can do the same in the quarterfinal against Netherlands on Friday.

There was success for Netherlands as they defeated USA on Saturday, although the Dutch press has some concerns about the team. Telegraaf warns we have seen “no longer a shadow of the Frankie de Jong we all know” about the central midfielder. There was more positive news for the Dutch team with Louis van Goal being titled “the World Cup counter king”, due to his staff’s attacking taste that noticed them rip thru the US from time to time. wu

The internet reacts

Lionel Messi is a pavement artist who sees shapes before others, according to Barney Ronay, but surely even he didn’t paint this picture of the UK in his head while leading Australia’s defenders a merry dance …

And Arsenal fans have been an untimely blow by the news Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out of the tournament. Despite their team being five points clear at the top of the Premier League, Gunners supporters were notably dismissive of their side’s chances of winning a first title since 2003, even before this. RB

Today’s matches

Japan v Croatia (Round of 16, 3pm GMT, BBC1)
Japan have surprised everyone at this World Cup – perhaps even themselves – and their tussle with Croatia presents an intriguing clash of styles. At their best, Hajime Moriyasu’s men play an intense, expansive, hyperactive brand of football, doing everything quickly, and it is this which has made them such difficult opponents. Croatia are a more studied affair, slowly strangling opponents thanks to one of the world’s best midfields, with Luka Modric’s genius ably supported by the all-round excellence of Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic. What the teams share, though, is an indefatigable mentality: Japan have come from behind to beat both Germany and Spain, finishing above both – an absolutely ludicrous effort – while Croatia are now a staple of tournament knockout stages. Chances are, Croatia shade a close one – but they’ll be wary of Japan, who’ve proved yet again the old adage that speed kills. DH

Brazil v South Korea (Round of 16, 7pm GMT, ITV1)
Though few predicted victories for South Korea against Portugal or Cameroon against Brazil, both came over much-changed teams. While momentum is hard to obtain and easy to lose, Brazil are favorites for a reason: they are a settled, cohesive outfit with options on the bench. Most likely, South Korea will defend deep to try and stay in the game while hoping to finagle a goal from somewhere – most likely a counter – or hang on for penalties. Brazil, though have the knowhow and composure to keep at it should they not score early, and one way or another, class should eventually tell. DH

Player to watch

Casemiro It feels slightly odd – slightly wrong, even – to look at a team with as much attacking talent as Brazil and pick out a defensive midfielder. However, while Casemiro is a defensive midfielder and not just one of the best in the world but one of the best of his generation, he is also so much more than that. Though we don’t always see it, we certainly have in this competition – he was one of the stars of the group stages, as much for his passing and shooting as for his tackling and running – and it is no coincidence that Brazil’s defeat to Cameroon came in his absence. But he will be back for the knockouts, and if he maintains his current form, his team will be very hard to stop. DH

And finally…

During the latter period of Louis van Gaal’s career, his teams have been famously unentertaining. But inspired by their manager’s recent recovery from cancer, the Netherlands are improving – Memphis Depay’s opening goal against USA was a thing of beauty. And even if they revert to a more staid type against Argentina, Van Gaal remains as fun and engaging a personality as ever – as this video, taken when his squad returned to their hotel after their last-16 victory, encapsulates beautifully.