Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: It’s last chance saloon for both Oman and Turkmenistan as they prepare to face off at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday in a last-ditched effort to secure their place in the Round of 16 of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Having both suffered defeat at the hands of Japan and Uzbekistan in their opening two matches, the two sides know a win in their final Group F encounter is needed if they are to have hope of progression to the knockout stage, a feat neither side has managed in their previous appearances at the AFC Asian Cup.
With such high stakes, both coaches – Pim Verbeek and Yazguly Hojageldyyew – were keeping their cards close to their chest when it came to team selection, not wanting to give their opposition any advantage heading into the match.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Son Heung-min made his first and much-awaited AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 appearance on Wednesday as Korea Republic beat China PR 2-0 to make it three wins from three and claim top spot in Group C.
With both teams already through to the competition’s knockout phase, Son, who arrived in the Emirates earlier this week after being released by Tottenham Hotspur, captained the two-time champions of Asia as goals from Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-Jae saw the Taeguk Warriors set up a Round of 16 meeting against one of the best third-placed finishers from either Group A, B or F in Dubai next Tuesday.
After succumbing to their first defeat of the tournament, Marcello Lippi’s Chinese side finished second in the group and will now face Thailand in Al Ain on Sunday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: A superb hat-trick from Vitalij Lux gave Kyrgyz Republic their first ever AFC Asian Cup win, and a place in the tournament's knockout stage as the Central Asians defeated the Philippines 3-1 at Rashid Stadium on Wednesday.
Lux scored once in the first half, and twice in the second to seal a historic, and crucial three points for Alexander Krestinin's side, who finished third in Group C behind Korea Republic and China PR.
The result, combined with Vietnam's 2-0 win over Yemen in Al Ain three hours later, means Kyrgyz Republic cannot be dislodged from their position as one of the four highest ranked third-place teams.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Victory over Japan and not who his team will play in the Round of 16 is what Hector Cuper is focusing on as he prepares his Uzbekistan side to take on the four-time winners in their final group game at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in Al Ain on Thursday evening.
The two teams have guaranteed their places in the next phase of the competition after both sides posted wins over Turkmenistan and Oman, with the Uzbeks holding the advantage of a better goal-difference.
With the winners of Group F due to face either Saudi Arabia or Qatar in the Round of 16 and the runners-up slated to meet Australia, attention has been drawn towards the potential opposition in the next phase of the competition.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Knockout stage qualification may have been sealed but both Saudi Arabia and Qatar's game plan for their final AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group E tie on Thursday will not hinge on who their possible Round of 16 opponents might be.
Both go into the match with a perfect record of two wins, with Qatar only needing a draw to win the group on goal difference.
The group winners will face the Group D runners-up, either Islamic Republic of Iran or Iraq, while the runners-up will go up against the top-placed team from Group F - either Japan or Uzbekistan.
Both coaches - Saudi Arabia's Juan Antonio Pizzi and Felix Sanchex of Qatar - were adamant that their teams would play to win.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sharjah: DPR Korea and Lebanon go into their final AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 tie at the Sharjah Stadium on Thursday still hopeful of sealing a place in the knockout stage.
Although both teams have yet to register a point after two rounds of matches, a win could see them qualifying as one of the best four third-placed teams.
DPR Korea have not made it past the group stage since finishing fourth in the 1980 edition while Lebanon’s previous appearance in the Continental showcase in 2000 as hosts ended in the group stage.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Palestine head coach Noureddine Ould Ali has not given up hope of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16 following Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Group B winners Jordan.
The stalemate, coupled with Syria’s last gasp loss to Australia, saw Palestine finish third in the group on two points and still in contention for a place in the next round ahead of Matchday Three action in four more groups.
Despite Palestine being forced to play a potentially nervy waiting game, Ould Ali was quick to declare that he was more than happy to be in such a position, especially given the difficult nature of the group his team were in.