Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Perhaps no single player in the continent is as important for their home nation as Sunil Chhetri has been for India over the past decade.
India have booked their place amongst Asia's top 24 national teams thanks in a large part to Sunil Chhetri, who - even at the age of 34- continues to be unrivalled as the country's best player and widely acknowledged as the finest footballer it has ever produced.
Nationality: India
Date of birth: 03/08/1984
Position: Striker
Current club: JSW Bengaluru (India)
Previous clubs: Mohun Bagan, JCT, East Bengal, Dempo, Chirag United, Churchill Brothers, Mumbai City (All India); Sporting B (Portugal)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Former Japan coach Philippe Troussier recalls one of the greatest moments in his career: winning the 2000 AFC Asian Cup in Lebanon.
The vastly-experienced Troussier has a coaching CV that extends back over 35 years and counting.
It includes a runners-up finish at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup, an historic Round of 16 place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup but the continental title he won in Asia remains one of the most glorious memories.
The 63-year-old Parisian joined the-AFC.com for an exclusive look back to his crowning achievement as a coach.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Ever since the retirement of legend Ali Al Nono, Ala Al Sasi has taken the mantle as Yemen’s undisputed talisman. With a decade of experience behind him, the midfielder finally led his nation to their first ever AFC Asian Cup.
Yemen made history earlier this year, qualifying to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time ever, joining Kyrgyz Republic and the Philippines as the three debutants in the UAE 2019.
Their journey hasn’t been an easy one; after finishing bottom of their group in the second round, Yemen had to go through a two-legged play-off against the Maldives which they won 4-0 on aggregate to advance to the third round.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
After enduring a tough period since losing the 2007 AFC Asian Cup final to Iraq, Saudi Arabia qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and now go into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as among the favourites with Salem Al Dawsari one of their key players.
Despite the likes of Nawaf Al Abed and Yahya Al Shehri possessing unmatched raw talent in Saudi Arabian football, it is Al Dawsari who has excelled at both club and country level to become arguably the Green Falcons' most dangerous player.
Nationality: Saudi Arabia Date of birth: 19/08/1991 Position: Attack Current club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) Previous clubs: Villareal (Spain, loan)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will be as much about the head coaches as they will be about the Continent's best players.
With just 40 days to go before the Continental showpiece kicks off with hosts United Arab Emirates taking on Bahrain in the tournament opener, the-AFC.com takes a look at the 24 tacticians who will lead the Continent’s best in the biggest and best ever AFC Asian Cup.
There will be new faces in charge as several teams, including three of the five Asian teams who featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, will have new head coaches.
We take a look at the head coaches of Groups A, B and C.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As the cast of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 head into the last 40 days before the Continental showpiece kicks off on January 5, the head coaches are laying their final plans.
There will be a mix of new and old as several head coaches have been with their teams for years while some will be leading their sides into a major competition for the first time.
We take a look at the head coaches of Groups D, E and F.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Five years on from helping Iraq win the AFC U22 Championship in Oman, midfielder Bashar Resan has developed into a key player for the Lions of Mesopotamia as they look to impress in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Such is the talent of Bashar Resan, that the now Persepolis midfielder first represented the senior side at his hometown club Air Force Club seven years ago as a 14-year-old.
Resan’s career has already taken him to bigger places, most recently competing in the 2018 AFC Champions League final. Next challenge for the 21-year-old is making his AFC Asian Cup debut with Iraq in January, where he is set to be one of the key players in the Lions of Mesopotamia setup.
Nationality: Iraq Date of birth: 22/12/1996 Position: Midfielder Current club: Persepolis (IR Iran) Previous clubs: Air Force Club (Iraq)