Afif key as Qatar seek answers to scoring struggles

Doha, Qatar: Dutch great Johan Cruyff once reduced football to its simplest truth: to win, you have to score one more goal than your opponent.

It is a lesson Qatar know only too well as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup, where hopes of reaching the knockout stage will depend largely on their ability to find the net. zeppelin.cool

Four years ago, Qatar’s maiden World Cup campaign ended with three defeats and just one goal scored. Mohammed Muntari’s header against Senegal remains the only World Cup goal in the country’s history, while their attacking unit struggled to make an impact on the biggest stage.

Recent signs have offered little encouragement as Qatar failed to score in their final two warm-up matches, losing 1-0 to Ireland before being held to a goalless draw by El Salvador.

Julen Lopetegui’s attacking options now include a blend of experience and youth, with Akram Afif and Almoez Ali at the core, supported by forwards such as Edmilson Junior, Yusuf Abdurisag and Hassan Al Haydos, alongside younger names looking to break through on the global stage.Qatar goalkeeper Salah Zakaria poses during the FIFA Media Day photoshoot.

Qatar open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland before facing Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B.

The spotlight, however, will inevitably fall on Akram Afif, considered the backbone of Qatar’s attack.

A two-time Asian champion and twice Asian Footballer of the Year, Afif – often dubbed ‘Mr Assist’ – arrives at the World Cup after another strong domestic season with Al Sadd, where he helped his club secure the Qatar Stars League title. His ability to create and finish chances makes him Qatar’s most decisive attacking player.

But the World Cup also presents Afif with an opportunity for redemption. Four years after the disappointment of Qatar 2022, it is time for Afif to shine. Widely regarded as the face of Qatari football, the 29-year-old carries the responsibility of leading an attack still searching for consistency at international level.

Afif himself has not avoided that reality.Hassan Al Haydos

“Now our full focus is on preparing for the World Cup in the best possible way. We did not perform at the required level and the results were not acceptable to me. We will try our best to prove that we deserve to be at the World Cup with a strong performance,” he said after winning his third consecutive Qatar Stars League Best Player award last month.

Afif’s journey has taken him from Aspire Academy to Spain and Belgium, where he became the first Qatari-born player to sign for a La Liga club with Villarreal before establishing himself among Asia’s elite.

Alongside him, Almoez remains a key figure - Qatar’s all-time leading scorer with 60 international goals.

The 29-year-old striker has built his reputation on decisive contributions in major tournaments. He scored a record nine goals in the 2019 Asian Cup triumph and has delivered on several big occasions since.

However, his build-up to the World Cup has been disrupted by injury. The striker underwent surgery late last year and has managed limited minutes in 2026.Qatar's Almoez Ali poses during a photoshoot.

“In [Almoez] Ali’s case, unfortunately he only played around two matches this year because of injuries and surgery,” Lopetegui said recently.

“For this level of competition, rhythm is very important. We hope he improves step by step because all players need minutes to be physically ready.”

Whether Ali starts regularly or is used from the bench remains to be seen.

Qatar will also look to emerging attacking options such as Ahmed Al Janehi, Ahmed Alaa and Tahsin Mohammed.

Whether Lopetegui leans on experience or youth, Qatar still need goals and that remains Al Annabi’s biggest challenge.

Doha, Qatar: When Brazil and Morocco meet in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the early of Sunday, the spotlight will naturally fall on the two faces of a new footballing era for their respective nations.

On one side is Vinicius Junior, Brazil’s electrifying winger and the face of the Selecao’s new era. On the other stands Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s captain, and the driving force behind the Atlas Lions’ rise on the world stage.

For 90 minutes at MetLife Stadium, football’s most successful nation and Africa’s modern trailblazer may find their fortunes shaped by a duel measured in moments and mistakes.

The matchup is compelling because it pits one of football’s most devastating dribblers against one of its most complete full-backs.

Vinicius has established himself as one of the world’s most dangerous one-on-one attackers. His ability to isolate defenders and create chaos in transition has made him one of the most productive forwards in world football.

Yet few defenders are better equipped to handle him than Hakimi. The Moroccan captain possesses the recovery pace and tactical intelligence that have made him one of the game’s elite full-backs.

The intriguing aspect of this battle is that Hakimi is not a traditional defensive full-back who sits deep and waits. He attacks relentlessly.

That means Vinicius will not simply be trying to beat a defender; he will also be tracking one of Morocco’s attacking outlets.

Their rivalry is not new. Vinicius and Hakimi first crossed paths in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in 2022, when Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain produced one of the competition’s most memorable ties.

In the first leg Hakimi largely succeeded in limiting Vinícius’ influence, matching the Brazilian stride for stride.

However, in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid mounted a famous comeback, Vinicius became increasingly influential, helping stretch PSG’s defence and turn the tie in Real’s favour.

The pair’s most recent meeting came at the same MetLife Stadium during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, where Hakimi helped PSG shut out a Real Madrid attack featuring both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe in a dominant 4-0 victory. That history adds another layer to Sunday’s showdown.

From Brazil’s perspective, Vinicius remains the key to unlocking Morocco’s disciplined defensive structure.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil’s attack is designed to create isolated situations where Vinicius can attack defenders in space.

His ability to draw multiple defenders often creates space for Brazil’s other attacking threats. Brazil know that if Vinicius consistently wins his duel with Hakimi, Morocco’s defensive shape could quickly unravel.

Morocco, meanwhile, have built their recent success on organisation, resilience and tactical discipline. The Atlas Lions stunned the world by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022 and have since cemented their reputation as one of international football’s most difficult teams to break down.

Hakimi remains central to everything they do. Whether driving forward on counterattacks or recovering defensively against elite wingers.

There is also a fascinating risk involved. If Hakimi pushes too high, he could leave space behind him for Vinícius to exploit. If he stays deep to contain the Brazilian, Morocco lose one of their primary attacking outlets.

Brazil coach Ancelotti has described the encounter as “the most important” match of the group stage, underlining the significance of a fixture that could determine who finishes top of Group C.

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi highlighted the need for collective defending and attacking to neutralise Brazil’s dangerous wingers, while emphasising that Morocco respects but does not fear their opponents.

Their Group C meeting has already been identified as one of the standout clashes of the opening round. And when the whistle blows, all eyes will inevitably drift to Brazil’s left flank, where Vinicius and Hakimi will renew a rivalry that could ultimately decide the fixture.

Wellington: New Zealand's most prolific run-scorer and arguably greatest batsman Kane Williamson announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on Friday in the middle of their series against England.

The 35-year-old former skipper called time ahead of the second Test at The Oval next week. He played in the Black Caps' defeat in the first Test at Lord's, making 0 and 18.

"I've thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it's become clear now is the right time," he said.

"I've always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I've given it my all in every match I've played for New Zealand.

"Continuing with anything less wouldn't be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.

Williamson said he felt "optimistic" about the team's direction.

"There's a huge amount of talent and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team," he said.

Williamson made his international debut in 2010 and played 378 games for his country, finishing as New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer with 19,346 including 48 centuries and six double-centuries.

He played 110 Tests, smacking 33 centuries on his way to 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06.

His leadership style was much admired and he captained the side in all three formats during a golden period from 2016 to 2024.

"It's a team I love and it's so dear to my heart"

Thank you for the memories, Kane ???????? pic.twitter.com/u1qBOMEfzy

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 12, 2026

During that time, New Zealand made two World Cup finals, three semi-finals, and won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.

"Anyone who's had the privilege of working with Kane understands he is a very special player and person," said New Zealand coach Rob Walter.

"His numbers and batting skills speak for themselves, but it's what he means to this Black Caps team, as well as world cricket -- that will be his legacy.

"His impact on the culture and standards of this team will remain embedded in its DNA."

Williamson's list of accolades is immense, including being named the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test player of the year in 2019, while also winning the domestic Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on a record four occasions.

New Zealand great Hadlee hailed him as "a wonderful player and fine leader".

"He's demonstrated a willingness to continually advance his game to the highest level in all three formats and he rightfully finishes as one of the best players of his era," he said.

"The way he prepared himself physically and mentally was perhaps the most impressive part. He was always committed to working hard and developing his technique to ensure he was ready to be a world class player.

"He's been an unflappable leader and the architect of some of our greatest moments in cricket."