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
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/zayed_sports_city_stadium.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/al_nahyan_stadium.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/mohammed_bin_zayed_stadium.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ad_bus_station.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/kayaking.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After a breakthrough season in which he helped Al Sadd reach the 2018 AFC Champions League semi-finals, Akram Afif is set to take on his first AFC Asian Cup next month.
Despite being just 22, Akram Afif already has playing experience in Belgium and Spain, the Qatari midfielder will look to cement his status as one of Asia's top talents during January's AFC Asian Cup.
Nationality: Qatar
Date of birth: 18/11/1996
Position: Midfield
Current club: Al Sadd (Qatar)
Previous clubs: Eupen (Belgium), Villarreal, Sporting Gijon (both Spain)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Baghdad: Former Iraq captain Abbas Obaid believes the 2007 champions are in for a tough test at AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and will need to make the most of their 20-day training camp in Qatar.
"The Iraqi league is now on a break for 40 days, 20 days for the training camp in Qatar and 20 days for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 - this is a vital time for the national side," says the man who skippered the side at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup in Lebanon.
"Because our domestic league is not at its strongest level in recent times, I feel the players may find it difficult to raise their game to match the standard of the Asian Cup."
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.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Korea Republic's football body on Tuesday unveiled the men's national team squad that will participate in a local training camp for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced a list of 23 players who will train in Ulsan to prepare for UAE 2019, which is scheduled to kick off in the United Arab Emirates on January 5.
The KFA said the players will assemble next Tuesday and train until December 20. Typically, the KFA calls up national players two weeks ahead of the tournament, but it recently reached an agreement with the K League, the operator of the country's pro football leagues, to allow local clubs to release their players early for the national team.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As teams stepped up their preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with the latest round of friendlies, the-AFC.com roams social media to see what the continent's stars have been up to.
Proud moments, boots drama, milestone celebrations, festive mood and medical updates all feature in our inaugural selection of posts for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 social wrap.
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.