Asian Stars to Shine in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Kuala Lumpur, August 12 (QNA) - The stars of the Asian teams participating in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 are preparing to showcase their talents in the upcoming World Cup. The AFC website shed light on the biggest names of the six Asian teams who have qualified for Qatar 2022. Almoez Ali lit up the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with a record-breaking nine goals and the Al Duhail SC captain will be expected to play a pivotal role in Qatar's FIFA World Cup debut. Ali has continued to grow since UAE 2019 and has relished the opportunities presented as Qatar have trotted the globe to prepare for the FIFA World Cup on home soil. He marked his appearances in the 2019 Copa America, 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the UEFA FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifiers with goals and will be counted on to find the back of the net against Ecuador, Senega and Netherlands in Group A of Qatar 2022. Salem Al Dawsari brings calmness and steel to an exciting Saudi Arabia side who will be aiming to carry their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar form into the FIFA World Cup Finals. Qualification for Qatar 2022 was secured at a canter but with Argentina, Poland and Mexico waiting for the Green Falcons in Group C, Al Dawsari will be counted on to steer them into the knockout stage. Aaron Mooy of Australia joined Glasgow Celtic just before the new season kicked off, Australia will be hoping Mooy gets regular game time with the Scottish champions in the buildup to Qatar 2022, with the Socceroos having been drawn in a tough Group D alongside defending champions France, Tunisia and Denmark. Mooy was a key figure for Australia in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar and subsequent playoff matches against United Arab Emirates and Peru and barring the unexpected, will surely be in the starting lineup when the Socceroos open their campaign against France on November 22. Junya Ito's crucial goals helped Japan bounce back following a difficult start to their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar campaign. The right winger, who has recently joined French side Stade de Reims, scored in the wins against Vietnam, Oman, China PR and Saudi Arabia as Japan sealed a seventh successive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals. Having seen their Russia 2018 campaign end in the Round of 16, Japan will need Ito to be at his best with former champions Germany and Spain as well as Costa Rica their Group E opponents. Sardar Azmoun of Iran has been at the forefront of Iran's challenge in recent years and playing in Europe has seen Azmoun improve with every passing season. Now with German club Bayer Leverkusen after a hugely successful five seasons with Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg, Azmoun will be a key player in Iran's bid to advance from Group B with England, Wales and the United States in their way. Son Heung-min is the talisman of the Korea Republic team. He will carry a huge burden on his shoulders in his third FIFA World Cup appearance. The captain of the squad, Son will be determined to reproduce the form which saw him emerge topscorer in the 2021-22 English Premier League, the first Asian player to do so. Korea Republic will be equally hopeful that Son can power the team past Uruguay, Ghana and Portugal into the knockout stage, having last made the Round of 16 in 2010. (QNA)