Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kalba: As the AFC Asian Cup returns to the UAE in January, Hassan Saeed remembers the last time they played hosts, when he led them to the final in 1996.
Never has the sound of a football cannoning off the woodwork sounded as loud as it did on the evening of December 21, 1996 as the 60,000 fans present at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sport City were reduced to utter silence, watching their team’s top goalscorer in the tournament hit the post from 12 yards.
The finest of margins had just denied the UAE a historic victory in the final of the 1996 AFC Asian Cup against neighbours Saudi Arabia. Hassan Saeed was still holding his head in his hands, the 50 yard-walk to the halfway line feeling like a thousand miles as Khalid Al Muallad slotted home the winning penalty for the Green Falcons.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/uae_1996_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/uae_1996_lining.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/saeed_v_abdulghani.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/uae_players.html
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
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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Recently crowned AFC Champions League winner with Kashima Antlers, Atsuto Uchida first experienced the feeling of becoming an Asian champion back in 2011, when he helped Japan win the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
Just a few months after leaving his boyhood club Kashima to join Bundesliga side Schalke 04, Uchida was called up for the Samurai Blue as coach Alberto Zaccheroni looked to lead Japan to a record fourth continental title.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: It has been a mixed 12 months for Syria’s Omar Khribin, from losing the 2017 AFC Champions League final, to winning the AFC Player of the Year Award a few days later, to coming within a whisker of reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His next challenge? The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Syria were very close to making the FIFA World Cup for the first time, but they fell in the Continental playoff, with Australia going on to become Asia's fifth representative in Russia 2018. A "golden generation" spearheaded by Khribin and his strike partner Omar Al Somah looks to make amends in UAE 2019.
Nationality: Syria
Date of birth: 15/01/1994
Position: Striker
Current club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Previous clubs: Al Wahda (Syria), Air Force Club, Al Mina’ (Iraq), Al Dhafra (UAE)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: Shanghai SIPG's Wu Lei will spearhead a 27-strong China PR training squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Wu Lei was named the 2018 Chinese Super League (CSL) Player of the Year after emerging topscorer as Shanghai SIPG won the title for the first time.
The 27-year-old scored 27 goals to become the first local player to win the topscorer award since 2007. The attacker has 12 goals to his name in 57 appearances for China PR.
Head coach Marcello Lippi also included goalkeeper Yan Junling and full-back Shi Ke from Shanghai SIPG.
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.