Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The latest round of friendly matches produced some interesting moments for the 24 teams who will be playing in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
As teams reach the final stages of preparations for UAE 2019, the past 10 days saw Asian sides taking on friendly matches across the continent and beyond, with some fine individual and team displays, emotional farewells and tactical challenges. Here are five things we learned from November's friendly fixtures.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Brisbane: Head coach Paulo Bento believes Korea Republic are moving in the right direction as the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 looms.
The Taeguk Warriors scored an impressive 4-0 victory over fellow UAE 2019 qualifiers Uzbekistan in a friendly on Tuesday, stretching their unbeaten run under Bento to six matches, the longest streak managed by any Korea Republic head coach.
Nam Tae-hee and Hwang Ui-jo gave Korea Republic a 2-0 lead at halftime, and Moon Seon-min and Suk Hyun-jun added a goal apiece to round out the scoring to record three wins and three draws since Bento took charge after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: United Arab Emirates secured a 2-0 victory over Yemen, Syria defeated Kuwait 2-1, Islamic Republic of Iran came from behind to draw 1-1 with Venezuela while Iraq played to a goalless draw with Bolivia in international friendlies on Tuesday.
UAE 2-0 Yemen
Dubai: UAE, who had not won since their 3-0 friendly triumph over Laos in September, opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Saif Rashed's strike as they took a 1-0 lead into half-time at the Zabeel Stadium.
The UAE 2019 hosts doubled their lead after Ali Salmeen found the back of the net in the 66th minute as they held on for the win.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Australia turned on the power in Tim Cahill's farewell as they defeated Lebanon 3-0, Japan and Korea Republic maintained their unbeaten run while Palestine held China PR in international friendlies on Tuesday.
Australia 3-0 Lebanon
Brisbane: Martin Boyle grabbed a brace on his Socceroos starting debut as Australia farewelled Cahill in style, defeating Lebanon 3-0 at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old struck an opening-half double and laid on a strike for Mathew Leckie in front of 33,268 fans in Sydney in Australia's buildup to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Cahill entered the field to a standing ovation in the 82nd minute for his 108th and final Socceroos appearance, as Australia extended their unbeaten run in international friendlies to six consecutive matches.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic claimed the first two AFC Asian Cup titles but, after near-misses in both 1956 and 1960, Israel sparked a shift in the balance of power in 1964, paving the way for an even more dominant force to take control.
After back-to-back runners-up finishes, persistence paid off as Israel added a new name to the AFC Asian Cup trophy as they claimed the title in front of their own fans when the country hosted the third edition of the continental championship.
As in the previous two tournaments, four nations played in the Finals with Korea Republic and Hong Kong featuring alongside the hosts and debutants India, who brought a strong track record with them into the competition.
The country had won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 1962 – their second in 11 years – but the pedigree counted for little as Israel defeated the South Asians 1-0 in the opening game thanks to a goal from Mordechai Spiegler.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: From the humblest beginnings, the AFC Asian Cup has grown into the greatest football show on the continent with the 17th edition, which kicks off in the United Arab Emirates in just 46 days, set to be the biggest and best ever.
But even in its earliest days, the prestige of claiming the continental crown brought with it fame, respect and a trip to the presidential palace. the-AFC.com retraces the AFC Asian Cup's journey through the years with the first of a four-part series.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As we edge closer to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in January, we asked current and past players and coaches for their predictions for the tournament.
Having represented Korea Republic in two AFC Asian Cup tournaments and finishing third on both occasions - in 2007 and 2011 - veteran midfielder Yeom Ki-hun believes it is time for the Taeguk Warriors to end their six-decade-long wait for continental glory.
The-AFC.com asked the Suwon Samsung Bluewings man his predictions for the upcoming edition in the United Arab Emirates and Yeom gives his reasons why he thinks Korea Republic will lift the trophy come February 1.