Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Australia coach Graham Arnold claimed his ever-improving Socceroos are still on a learning curve after the defending champions moved into the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with a dramatic late win over Syria in Al Ain on Tuesday evening.
Tom Rogic scored deep into added time to earn the Australians a last-gasp win after the Syrians twice pinned them back in their own search for a victory that would have taken them into the Round of 16.
Awer Mabil put Australia in front before Omar Khrbin levelled while Chris Ikonomidis’ second half effort was cancelled out from the penalty spot by Omar Al Soma, only for Rogic to slam the ball home from 25 yards in the third minute of added time.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Tom Rogic’s injury time stunner earned Australia a dramatic 3-2 win over Syria and a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.
The Celtic midfielder struck from 25 yards to finally beat a determined Syrian side, who looked set to secure a point for new coach Fajr Ebrahim and his team, and maintain their slim hopes of a place in the next phase.
But Rogic’s goal not only ensured Australia progressed to the next round in second place in Group B but also eliminated the Syrians, who finished bottom of the group after Palestine picked up a point in their meeting with Jordan.
Syria looked set to earn a draw after twice coming from behind to level, with Omar Khrbin cancelling out Awer Mabil’s opener and Omar Al Soma netting from the penalty spot after Chris Ikonomidis had put Australia back in front.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Already qualified Jordan rounded off their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 group stage campaign with a 0-0 draw against Palestine on Tuesday, a result which helped maintain their unbeaten record and left their opponents waiting to see if they will claim one of the four best third-placed positions.
The stalemate made it seven points from nine for Jordan – quarter-finalists in 2004 and 2011 – as they finished top of the Group B standings to set up a Round of 16 meeting with the third-placed team from either Group A, C or D in Dubai.
With Australia dramatically beating Syria in the group’s other game, a gallant Palestine duly finished third on two points, some four points behind runners-up Australia but crucially one ahead of fourth-placed Syria.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Korea Republic may have Son Heung-min available but China PR will not let that affect their focus when the two regional rivals meet in a winner-takes-all AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group C clash at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Wednesday.
The East Asian sides go into the clash with perfect records, having beaten Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines in their earlier matches, and a draw would mean China PR topping the group on goal difference.
Both nations are likely to rotate their teams with the knockout stage looming but the aim, said China PR head coach Marcello Lippi and Paulo Bento - his Korea Republic counterpart - will still be to win.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Alexander Krestinin declared his Kyrgyz Republic side mentally equipped to keep their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16 hopes alive, ahead of their must-win Matchday Three tie against fellow debutants the Philippines.
The two sides enter Wednesday's clash at Rashid Stadium still looking for their first ever points in the competition, but both know a win will provide a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stage as one of the four highest-ranked third-placed teams.
While three points would, for 24 hours at least, keep either side's hopes alive, the consequences of defeat - instant elimination - couldn't be clearer, and Krestinin said his side was focused only on themselves.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Vietnam head coach Park Hang-Seo is confident of bagging the three points against Yemen when the two sides clash in their final AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group D tie at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
Both teams have yet to earn a point in the Continental showpiece with Vietnam having the higher chance of qualifying as one of the best four third-placed teams - based on a better goal difference.
Park is well aware of the task faced by his Vietnam team but the Korea Republic national is confident of landing all three points against Yemen.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: The battle for top spot in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will see Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq facing off to keep their undefeated record when they clash at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Wednesday, with both head coaches are expecting a ‘good game’.
Both sides booked their place in the Round of 16 after wins over Yemen and Vietnam, with Iran currently ahead on goal difference.
Iraq have also been impressive, coming back from a goal down twice to beat Vietnam 3-2 in their group opener, before confirming their spot in the knockout phase with an emphatic 3-0 win over Yemen.