Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Korea Republic's Lee Chung-yong was left to reflect on what might have been after his side were defeated 1-0 by Qatar, confirming their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 elimination at the quarter-final stage.
Abdelaziz Hatim's superb 78th-minute strike ultimately sealed Paulo Bento's side's exit from the competition, after a team with an attacking armory which included Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min failed to find a way through the Qatari defence.
Appearing at his third AFC Asian Cup, following participation in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, the experienced Lee told the-AFC.com he felt personally accountable.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/match_highlights_-_january_25.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Korea Republic coach Paulo Bento has declared that his side exited the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 quarter-finals after yet again failing to convert chances into goals.
A long-range thunderbolt saw Qatar register a 1-0 win over Bento’s charges on Friday, as the Taeguk Warriors failed to progress beyond the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2004.
Having scored just six times in their four previous matches, the Koreans were once again culpable of squandering chances when it mattered most and, according to Bento, that inability to convert opportunities into goals ultimately cost his side dear.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Head coach Felix Sanchez has labelled Qatar’s 1-0 win over Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as an historic moment for both his players and the West Asian nation.
A stunning second-half strike from Abdelaziz Hatim saw the Qataris progress to their first-ever AFC Asian Cup semi-final and, in the process, rack up a fifth consecutive victory at the Continental showpiece event.
With host nation the United Arab Emirates set to come for Qatar in the last four, Sanchez, although mindful of the challenge that awaits his young charges, was quick to underline the significance of the result for a side who have become serious title contenders.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final four line-up has been confirmed, with host nation United Arab Emirates joined by former winners Japan and Islamic Republic of Iran and first-time semi-finalists Qatar.
With the remaining teams all having proven their quality, the scene is now set for two mouth-watering semi-finals, with the winners to progress to the AFC Asian Cup Final at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 1.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Alberto Zaccheroni was relieved his United Arab Emirates side held on to eke out a 1-0 win over Australia in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on Friday night, with the Italian fearing his team would have struggled had the game gone to extra-time.
The tournament hosts had Ali Mabkhout to thank that the game ended after 90 minutes, with the Al Jazira striker scoring the only goal of the game midway through the second half when he capitalised on Milos Degenek’s poor back pass to round Maty Ryan and roll the ball home.
Zaccheroni’s defence then held firm as the Socceroos threw everything forward in an attempt to keep the defence of the title they won on home soil four years ago alive, only for those attempts to flounder.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Australia coach Graham Arnold expects Milos Degenek to bounce back from the disappointment of gifting the United Arab Emirates the only goal of the game as the Socceroos’ defence of the AFC Asian Cup title came to an end in Al Ain on Friday evening.
Degenek’s mishit back pass was leapt on by Ali Mabkhout and the Al Jazira striker rounded Maty Ryan to score the 68th minute winner and take his country into the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup for the second tournament in a row.
“I’ve been in charge for eight games and have been changing the style and if you look, tonight there were four players who played at the World Cup,” said Arnold.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) family would like to congratulate the four teams – Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Qatar and United Arab Emirates – for reaching the semi-final stage of the competition.
It has been a magnificent display of football and fair play, showcasing to the world how to bring Asia together.
We commend all members of the Asian football family, the teams, the fans, the media for continuing to elevate the spirit of the game on the field of play with respect, tolerance and unity.
The AFC invites all stakeholders to continue captivating the world through the beautiful game, which is being played with dignity on the football field.