Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Carlos Queiroz has announced a 21-player Islamic Republic of Iran squad for a training camp in Doha, Qatar ahead of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Those selected do not include Iran players who are plying their trade in Europe, with the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran saying on its official website that Queiroz will name his final squad of 23 on December 26.
The squad named on Sunday will be based in Doha from December 17-24, with a friendly against Qatar also part of the training plan.
Three-time champions Iran are in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with Iraq, Yemen and Vietnam.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran defender Roozbeh Cheshmi has admitted the injury suffered after the first game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia that subsequently ruled him out of the tournament motivates him to fight even harder for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 title.
Cheshmi was a rock in the centre of defence as Iran scored late to open their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Morocco in Saint Petersburg, but he was injured before the next game and had to watch from the sidelines as his teammates put in valiant performances against Spain and Portugal.
Team Melli ultimately narrowly missed out on qualification to the next stage to end their and Cheshmi’s dream of a first appearance in the knockout rounds, but the 25-year-old is now back to full fitness and raring to go ahead of UAE 2019.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Ali Daei believes that the Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan are the most likely contenders to reach the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final, with the continental competition now less than four weeks away.
The Iranian legend is the tournament’s record goalscorer, having found the back of the net 14 times over three editions, yet the former striker never lifted the trophy for his country, whose wait for the title stretches back to 1976.
But on the back of a strong 2018 FIFA World Cup and with head coach Carlos Queiroz having been in charge for almost eight years, Daei thinks the time could be now for Team Melli, although it is the side from East Asia he considers as favourites.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Under long-serving head coach Carlos Queiroz, the Islamic Republic of Iran have undoubtedly been about the collective rather than the individual, but in Alireza Jahanbakhsh they possess a star with the potential to illuminate the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
In recent years, Russia-based forward Sardar Azmoun has been where the hype has centred, but that started to change during the 2017-18 season when right-sided midfielder Jahanbakhsh finished as top scorer in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar.
Nationality: IR Iran
Date of birth: 11/08/1993
Position: Midfield
Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)
Previous clubs: AZ Alkmaar, NEC (both Netherlands), Damash Gilan, Damash Tehran (both Iran)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup has showcased the Continent’s greatest players over the years, with many making their name in the competition. Next in our '10 of the Best' series, we feature talents who will arrive in the United Arab Emirates full of promise as they get set to make their tournament bow.
Four years ago in Australia, Massimo Luongo was the pick of the bunch as the Socceroo was voted the MVP, while a 20-year-old Sardar Azmoun was twice on the scoresheet for the Islamic Republic of Iran. As the 2019 edition rapidly approaches, here’s a list of 10 more youngsters to keep an eye out for.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: When the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 gets underway next month there will be more than 550 players hoping to have a celebration as the final concludes on February 1, but before that there are plenty amongst that number who will be having a smaller party of their own given that their birthday falls during the four-week extravaganza.
22 of the 24 participating nations will likely have a birthday boy amongst their ranks, with 2007 winners Iraq heading the list given they could potentially have seven players set to blow out the candles should they progress to at least the quarter-finals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As the 24 teams battle for the Continental crown in January, goals will be the most valuable currency. The-AFC.com kicks off our weekly Asian Cup UAE 2019 series '10 of the Best' with a look at 10 target men whose nations will rely on to deliver the goals.
UAE's Ali Mabkhout nipped the top scorer award in 2015 with five goals. But with the tournament expanded from 16 to 24 teams this time around, the goals race is set to be even more heated. Here are a selection of leading candidates who could take the mantle from the Emirati this January.