Training ground fun, high fives, a motivational speech, tributes to teams gone by and a happy homecoming all feature in the latest selection of what Asia’s finest have doing in between games in Russia.
Australia
It’s fun and games in the Australia camp as the Socceroos take part in a light-hearted training exercise ahead of their do-or-die match with Peru on Tuesday. Will Tim Cahill get the chance to score in his fourth successive FIFA World Cup in the must-win game?
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A post shared by Tim Cahill (@tim_cahill) on Jun 25, 2018 at 12:21am PDT
Islamic Republic of Iran
After being in the job seven years, Carlos Queiroz knows all about the history of Team Melli. In the build-up to Iran’s enthralling 1-1 draw with his native Portugal on Monday, Queiroz paid tribute to the legends involved when the sides first met back in 1972.
Day for honouring these two great Nations, the ones that together gave me more than 20 years of work and confidence. Day for honouring the people, the memories and all the great players of these countries, like Iranians Parvin and Nasser Hejazi, or Portuguese Eusebio and Jordão, who were in the first IR Iran-Portugal played in 1972 (photo). Day for honouring the true values of Football and Sports, giving our best e playing for victory. All For Team Melli! . #allforteammelli #teammelli #russiaworldcup2018 #worldcup2018
A post shared by Carlos Queiroz (@carlosqueiroz_oficial) on Jun 25, 2018 at 3:52am PDT
Japan
High fives all round as staff at Japan’s Ekaterinburg hotel wish the Samurai Blue luck before they board the bus to the stadium to face Senegal on Sunday. The ensuing 2-2 draw means the East Asians need just a point from their game with Poland on Thursday to advance.
Advertisement日本代表チームは、22日午後、セネガル戦の会場であるエカテリンブルクへ向けて出発。ベースキャンプのロシア人女性スタッフが選手、スタッフ一人ひとりに「ガンバッテ」と日本語で声をかけて送り出してくださいました。 ・ 2018FIFAワールドカップロシア グループステージ 第2戦 6月25日(月) 0:00[日本時間] 日本 vs セネガル 第3戦 6月28日(木) 23:00[日本時間] 日本 vs ポーランド ・ #jfa #daihyo #夢を力に2018 #Worldcup #japan @fifaworldcup #川島永嗣 #東口順昭 #中村航輔 #長友佑都 #槙野智章 #吉田麻也 #酒井宏樹 #酒井高徳 #昌子源 #遠藤航 #植田直通 #長谷部誠 #本田圭佑 #乾貴士 #香川真司 #山口蛍 #原口元気 #宇佐美貴史 #柴崎岳 #大島僚太 #岡崎慎司 #大迫勇也 #武藤嘉紀 #西野朗
A post shared by 日本サッカー協会（JFA） (@japanfootballassociation) on Jun 23, 2018 at 7:28pm PDT
Korea Republic
Captain Ki Sung-yueng delivers a motivational speech during training as the Taeguk Warriors aim to salvage something from their World Cup. They’re not out yet but must beat defending champions Germany on Wednesday – can Ki and co. pull off a major shock?
대한민국 캡틴의 자격! - “절대 자신감 잃지마!” “절대 두려워 하지마!” - #러시아월드컵 #끝까지해보자 #할수있다 #기성용
A post shared by 대한축구협회 (KFA) (@thekfa) on Jun 24, 2018 at 3:27pm PDT
Saudi Arabia
That was quick! After Salem Al Dawsari’s last-minute goal ensured Saudi Arabia’s World Cup ended on a high following a 2-1 win over Egypt, the Green Falcons headed straight back to Riyadh. Yasser Al Shahrani is all smiles upon arrival.
| Footage of the Saudi national team arriving at their homeland, after the conclusion of their participation in Russia #WorldCup 2018 pic.twitter.com/GdDLkploxe
— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) June 26, 2018
Photo: FIFA via Getty Images
Source: the-afc.com