Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: Marcelo Lippi's China PR received a confidence boost in their buildup to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 after seeing off Syria 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday.
Presented with the opportunity to bounce back from a confidence-shattering draw with India, China PR overwhelmed Syria.
They flew at the visitors from the first whistle, ending a 305-minute goal drought when Gao Lin's goal sparked wild celebrations as the Chinese supporters lapped up on the their team's fluid footwork and attack prowess.
For the 32-year-old Gao Lin, it was his first international goal from open play in 1,570 days. He had not scored for China PR since a friendly against Mali in June 2014 but his performance on the night was a fine riposte to his critics.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Cheonan: Korea Republic star Son Heung-min says he will work on his fitness to stay in shape following a 2-2 draw in a friendly against Panama on Tuesday.
Son, wearing the captain's armband, played full time at Cheonan Stadium and collected an assist on Tuesday in his final match for Korea Republic this year, wrapping up his tight international schedule.
Korea Republic are scheduled to face Australia and Uzbekistan next month, but under the agreement between the Korea Football Association and Tottenham Hotspur, the 26-year-old will not be available for the November friendlies.
The two sides previously agreed that Son would not play in Korea Republic's friendlies in November and the first two matches at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in a trade-off for the player's Asian Games appearance in August.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: A fightback from Panama saw them holding Korea Republic to a 2-2 draw, China PR scored a much needed win over Syria while Kyrgyz Republic edged Malaysia in international friendly matches on Tuesday.
Korea Republic, China PR and Kyrgyz Republic will all play in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and Tuesday's friendlies were the latest as the three prepare for the Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1.
KOREA REPUBLIC 2-2 PANAMA
Cheonan: Panama came from two goals down to share the spoils with Korea Republic in a 2-2 draw in an international friendly at Cheonan Stadium on Tuesday.
Korea Republic took an early lead, needing just six minutes to find the back of the net against a Panama side who were coming off a 3-0 defeat to Japan on Friday.
Park Joo-ho finished off beautifully after Hwang Hee-chan beat two defenders down the right before his cut-back found an unmarked Park, whose shot took a slight deflection past Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Early goals in each half saw the United Arab Emirates falling to a 2-0 defeat against Venezuela while Bahrain defeated Myanmar 4-1 as two of the teams in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 continued their preparations on Tuesday for the continental showpiece.
UAE 0-2 VENEZUELA
Having played to a 1-1 draw with Honduras on Thursday, AFC Asian Cup 2019 hosts UAE were looking to test themselves against Venezuela, ranked 45 places higher than them, in their international friendly at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain.
However, Alberto Zaccheroni’s side found themselves chasing the match from the first minute as defender Luis del Pino Mago gave Venezuela the lead off an assist by Romulo Otero.
UAE had a chance to get themselves level when they were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute but Omar Abdulrahman failed to convert.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran scored a deserving 2-1 win over Bolivia in an international friendly at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Tuesday.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh gave Iran the lead in the 17th minute and Mehdi Torabi cancelled out Rudy Cardozo's equaliser in the 51st with his strike in the 63rd as the Central Asians look towards a fourth AFC Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates on January 5-February 1.
Iran, playing only their second match since the 2018 FIFA World Russia where they came within a whisker of advancing to the knockout stage, started aggressively as they pinned Bolivia in their own half.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group F contenders Japan and Uzbekistan secured wins over Uruguay and Qatar respectively, while Oman played to a goalless draw against Ecuador in international friendlies on Tuesday.
The results are a boost for Japan and Uzbekistan while Oman will be satisfied of their defensive steel as all three continue their build-up for the Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1 in the United Arab Emirates.
UZBEKISTAN 2-0 QATAR
Tashkent: Odil Ahmedov and Marat Bikmaev’s goals in the second half steered Uzbekistan to a 2-0 win over Qatar at the Bunyodkor Stadium.
Qatar and Uzbekistan, ranked 13th and 14th respectively in Asia, went toe-to-toe in the opening minutes, promising a cagey 90 minutes.
Qatar threatened through Almoez Ali early on but Uzbekistan’s defenders were quick to deny the livewire from making any attempts on goal.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There was a winning start to Graham Arnold's tenure as Australia head coach while a late strike gave Saudi Arabia a draw with Iraq as a gritty Jordan fell to 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia as several members of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE cast took their next step towards the continental showpiece on Monday.
AUSTRALIA 4-0 KUWAIT
Kuwait City: Graham Arnold’s reign as the new Australia head coach got off to a perfect start with the Socceroos defeating Kuwait 4-0 in a friendly on Monday.
The Socceroos scored twice in each half to cap an encouraging performance in their first hit-out since the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
An own goal gave the Socceroos a deserved lead, before Apostolos Giannou, Tom Rogic and Awer Mabil – on his international debut - all got on the scoresheet.