Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and winger Ali Gholizadeh are the major names missing from the Islamic Republic of Iran's final squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Ezatolahi, who plays for English club Reading, and Gholizadeh - who is with Belgian side Charleroi, are both nursing foot injuries.
Team Melli, however, will not be lacking strength as head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a potent looking squad.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi will miss out on Team Melli's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign due to an injury.
The 22-year-old player suffered the injury on international duty in October.
Ezatolahi expressed his disappointment at missing the competition.
"I feel really bad about missing the AFC Asian Cup but I have to trust in God. I am very sad since I cannot be at Team Melli’s service as a soldier.
"In the 2018 World Cup, I did my best to make the Iranian people happy but I am ruled out of the AFC Asian Cup and I cannot be a part of Team Melli," said Ezatolahi in a post on social media.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: With 11 days to Asia’s greatest-ever showpiece, Islamic Republic of Iran’s quest to claim a record-equalling fourth AFC Asian Cup title received a major boost after they ended an outstanding 2018 season as the Continent’s best team in the latest FIFA Ranking.
Asia’s record five representatives at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia maintained their stronghold to stay within the top five with Iran retaining their season’s best in 29th place. Team Melli, whose last of three AFC Asian Cup triumphs was in 1976, are in Group D with Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen.
Despite falling five places from June this year, defending champions Australia, who are in Group B alongside Jordan, Syria and Palestine, find themselves in 41st position and will land in the UAE as Asia’s second ranked team.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi's absence will be felt but Oman, who have named their final squad, will head into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 brimming with confidence.
The reigning Gulf Cup champions are on an eight-match unbeaten run and Pim Verbeek's squad will believe they can advance to the knockout stage of the Continental showpiece for the first time.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Omar Khribin and Omar Al Somah will spearhead the Syrian challenge after head coach Bernd Stange announced the final squad for their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign.
Striker Khribin, the 2017 AFC Player of the Year, will be expected to lead from the the front while Al Somah has been captain, replacing the injured Firas Al Khatib.
Syria have never advanced beyond the group phase of the AFC Asian Cup, having narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals in 1996 when the tournament was last held in the United Arab Emirates.
However, Stange, who came out of retirement to lead the Qasioun Eagles, has set his sights on the knockout stage despite being drawn with defending champions Australia, Palestine and Jordan in Group B.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Cyprus-based Musa Al Taamari will lead Jordan for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The West Asians announced their final squad of 23 for the Continental showpiece which kicks off in 10 days with Al-Taamari, who plays for APOEL, leading a well experienced squad.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Head coach Hector Cuper has announced Uzbekistan's final squad of 23 for their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 challenge.
Odiljon Xamrobekov, who is tipped to shine, made the cut but players such as Dilshod Rakhmatullaev and Ivan Nagaev, who suffered an injury during training, missed out.
Marat Bikmaev and Sardor Rashidov will lead the charge for goals as Cuper selected only two out and out forwards.