Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Fans are the lifeblood of football and no other competition in Asia generates as much fervour, excitement and drama than the AFC Asian Cup.
As the build-up to the Continent’s ultimate showpiece hits fever pitch, passionate fans from all walks of life, across all nationalities are coming together to showcase their support for their teams in the UAE.
Epitomising the attributes of a die-hard fan is none other than Hajar Khalid, the 17-year old who fits the bill of a true Playmaker, on and off the pitch.
Having played the game since the age of four, the Iraqi footballer and school captain is putting her leadership skills to further use as a community ambassador, becoming the 600th Playmaker for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hajar_khalid_600th_playmaker_2.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Lebanon qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time after playing in the 2000 edition as the host country. And Hassan Maatouk’s contribution has been crucial to their success.
Despite boasting a host of foreign-based players, Maatouk, who returned to Lebanon after six years in UAE football, remains Lebanon’s talisman. He helped the Cedars qualify for UAE 2019 with five goals in six matches.
Nationality: Lebanon
Date of birth: 08/10/1987
Position: Forward
Current club: Nejmeh SC (Lebanon)
Previous clubs: Al Ahed (Lebanon), Ajman, Al Shaab, Fujairah (All UAE)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will be the biggest and richest edition in the competition’s prestigious history and an event of this magnitude requires a distinct identity to match its stature.
The AFC Asian Cup logos have transformed in every edition to showcase the distinctiveness of its host nation and the diversity of the Asian culture.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among just five Asian nations to have hosted the competition twice and the logos mark contrasting styles from when the West Asians first staged the competition in 1996.
The 1996 slogan depicted a rising nation from the West, showcasing the dynamism of the country’s three host cities – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain as well as the unity of the Continent.
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: 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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 is just a month away but the journey to the Continental showpiece started 44 months ago.
The bid to qualify for the biggest and best AFC Asian Cup - which will have an expanded 24 sides vying for glory - saw 46 teams in the fray, beginning with 12 countries in the first round of the Qualifiers back in March 2015.
Six teams then progressed to the second round, and by March of the following year, 12 teams - Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Qatar, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Syria, Thailand, Iraq, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan - had confirmed qualification to UAE 2019 and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With a month to go until the 2019 AFC Asian Cup kicks-off in the United Arab Emirates, we explore the four host cities, starting with the capital Abu Dhabi.
Home to 18 of the 50 AFC Asian Cup matches, the UAE capital is an Island city, accessible from the mainland through three bridges. Abu Dhabi is home to the UAE's federal government offices and is the country's second most populous city.
City: Abu Dhabi
Population: 1.8 million
Local Clubs: Al Wahda, Al Jazira