Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ulsan: Korea Republic unveiled their 23-man squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on Thursday, with head coach Paulo Bento deciding to stick with core players who have led the national team's undefeated run.
Two-time champions Korea Republic, seeking to end their wait since 1960, are in Group C with China, Kyrgyz Republic and the Philippines at the 24-team Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1.
Bento has been undefeated with Korea Republic since he took the helm in August, collecting three wins and three draws. Players who showed impressive performances in that unbeaten streak mostly made the roster.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran ended their 2018 season as Asia's best, following the latest FIFA Rankings released on Thursday.
Team Melli retained their position in 29th spot, with Australia, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia's positions also unchanged at 29th, 41st, 50th, 53rd, and 69th respectively to complete Asia's top five.
All five teams will convene in the United Arab Emirates, where they will be joined by 19 other nations - including hosts UAE - for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Preparations for all teams have gathered pace with a series of friendly matches taking place over the next two weeks, before the Continental showpiece kicks off on January 5.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold has announced the 23 players who have been selected to represent Australia for their defence of the AFC Asian Cup.
Arnold’s squad, which has an average age of 26, will assemble in the United Arab Emirates for Australia’s pre-tournament training camp from December 26, and will open their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign against Jordan at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on January 6.
Australia’s squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 features a strong A-League flavour, with three current players – Josh Risdon (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), and Chris Ikonomidis (Perth Glory FC) – receiving call-ups for the prestigious competition.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: India were the first national team to arrive for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 when they landed today in Abu Dhabi International Airport. The team were greeted with a fervent reception from their supporters thanks to a staggering 3.3 million Indian community who call the UAE home.
The Blue Tigers will be competing in the Continental showpiece for the fourth time in their history, having previously participated in the 1964, 1984 and 2011 editions.
Head coach Stephen Constantine had named a 34-man preliminary squad for the biggest-ever AFC Asian Cup which was trimmed to 28 before boarding the plane to Abu Dhabi. A final list of 23-players will be announced next week.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: After travelling nearly 25,000km across several major Asian cities, the exquisite new AFC Asian Cup trophy has finally landed today in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates – one of the four host cities of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Finding its way to the Emirates Group HQ Building at the Dubai International Airport, the new silverware was greeted by representatives from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the UAE 2019 Local Organising Committee as well as long-time AFC partners, Emirates Airlines.
AFC Tournament Director Shin Man Gil said: “The trophy tour for the 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup was truly an epic journey as this was the first time a new trophy has been commissioned in over 62 years of the tournament’s proud history.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Aleksander Krestinin is confident Kyrgyz Republic will be ready for Marcello Lippi's China PR when the pair face off in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opener in Al Ain on January 7.
The Central Asians will be making their first-ever appearance at the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates and China PR will be their first opponents in Group C, with Krestinin confident he can take his team into the last 16 on their debut.
While FIFA World Cup winner Lippi leads a squad who regularly play and train alongside some of the finest talent in the sport, Krestinin believes the number of foreign players in Chinese football may not necessarily be an advantage for the Italian coach’s team.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bacolod: Philippines playmaker Stephan Schrock cannot wait for the Azkals' AFC Asian Cup debut with the continental tournament set to be a career highlight for the Ceres Negros star.
In his career so far, Schrock, 32, has played a part in several historic milestones for Filipino football.
From lining up in the Philippines side that achieved the 'Miracle of Hanoi' to secure a maiden AFF Cup semi-final place in 2010, to turning club side Ceres Negros into a force to be reckoned with in continental club football - winning the inaugural AFC Cup ASEAN Zone in 2017 and then defeating Brisbane Roar in Australia in the 2018 AFC Champions League play-offs.