Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Philippines coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has set his sights on steering The Azkals to the knockout rounds of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 when the Southeast Asians make their debut appearance at the continental championship in the United Arab Emirates next month.
The Philippines have been drawn to face Korea Republic, China and Kyrgyz Republic in Group C next month and the former England manager, who was appointed in October, believes advancing to the knockout rounds is a challenge that is not beyond his players.
“I think the Philippines have to go in with one target: to go through, to go further,” the veteran Swede told the-afc.com. “That’s not easy but if you can do that, that’s good. Then everything depends on what’s happening.
“If we get the players we want, it’s realistic. We have to have that target if we go to the tournament. We can’t just go and be happy that we are there. Yes, we’re happy but that’s not enough. We have to try to go through.”
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sven_goran_errikson_with_coaching_staff__-_aff_cup_2018.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/kyrgyz_republic_rejoice_1.html
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
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
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: 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
Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam boast an exciting young crop of players that have excelled at youth levels in recent years, with gifted midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai arguably the biggest talent of the side heading to the United Arab Emirates.
The Southeast Asian nation had never previously qualified for the AFC Asian Cup, having appeared as co-hosts in 2007 (South Vietnam played in 1956 and 1960), but Quang Hai and his teammates have raised hopes that the current generation could go on to achieve something special.
Nationality: Vietnam
Date of birth: 12/04/1997
Position: Midfield
Current club: Hanoi FC (Vietnam)
Previous club: Saigon FC (Vietnam)
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)