Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sharjah: Odil Ahmedov has admitted that he has extra responsibility as Uzbekistan’s captain as the White Wolves prepare to begin their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign against Oman in Group F at Sharjah Stadium on Wednesday.
Ahmedov took over the captaincy from Timur Kapadze in 2016 and will now lead his nation into what will be his third appearance on the continental stage after helping the Central Asians reach the semi-finals in 2011 and the last eight four years ago.
The midfielder burst onto the AFC Asian Cup scene eight years ago in Qatar when he scored a stunning 30-yard goal of the tournament contender against the hosts on his competition debut, but will start the 2019 edition with an even greater weight of expectation upon his shoulders.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Islamic Republic of Iran forward Mehdi Taremi is hoping that his side’s 5-0 win over Yemen in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opening encounter is just the start of things to come.
The 26-year-old Al Gharafa favourite scored twice on a night when the three-time Asian champions were rarely troubled by opponents making their debut in the competition as a unified nation.
Iran’s impressive victory saw them assume pole position in Group D, a flying start that Taremi believes will stand his side in good stead going forward.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Marcello Lippi revealed a half-time dressing down for his players helped spark their second half comeback against Kyrgyz Republic as China notched up a 2-1 win over the AFC Asian Cup debutants on Monday afternoon.
Yu Dabao scored with 12 minutes remaining to give the Chinese all three points in the Group C clash after Akhlidin Israilov had put Kyrgyz Republic ahead three minutes before the break, only for an own goal from goalkeeper Pavel Matiash to allow China to pull level.
Lippi’s team showed a marked improvement in the second half having been second-best in the opening 45 minutes and the former Juventus and Italy coach was puzzled by his team’s lacklustre display in the first half.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Socceroos rearguards Aziz Behich and Rhyan Grant are confident Australia can bounce back from their opening day loss when they face Palestine in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group B tie on Friday.
Australia struggled in front of goal as they failed to produce an equaliser against Vital Borkelmans’ Jordan at the Al Ain's Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Sunday.
Graham Arnold’s side now have little margin for error in their remaining two group matches and defenders Behich and Grant spoke to the-AFC.com on Australia’s chances against the Lions of Canaan.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Syria's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign has suffered a serious blow, with winger Osama Omari to miss the remainder of the tournament after suffering a knee injury.
Both the player and Syrian team confirmed the 27-year-old would play no further part in the competition, and faces a six-month stint on the sidelines after he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the first half of Sunday's goaless draw against Palestine.
Omari, who plays his club football for Doha-based Qatar Sports Club, revealed the details of his injury via social media.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Philippines head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson expressed his pride at his side’s performance against Korea Republic in their first-ever appearance at the AFC Asian Cup Finals on Monday.
In a match that was dominated by Korea Republic, the Azkals displayed impressive character to keep their opponents at bay before Hwang Ui-jo’s 67th minute strike eventually sealed the East Asians the win in the Group C tie.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Hwang Ui-jo insists that Korea Republic will improve as the tournament goes on after the Taeguk Warriors claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Philippines in their opening AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group C match at Al Maktoum Stadium on Monday.
The two-time winners went into the game as heavy favourites but debutants Philippines, under Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, proved resolute in the opening 45 minutes, frustrating a frontline led by the 2018 Asian Games’ top scorer Hwang.
Korea Republic sought to break the deadlock after the interval but the Philippines almost gave them a scare when Javier Patino wasted a good opportunity, before the East Asians scored the only goal of the game midway through the half when Hwang opened his account with a close-range finish.