Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Islamic Republic of Iran hotshot Sardar Azmoun has shunned suggestions that he is on track to becoming the top scorer at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, insisting instead that he will always put the aspirations of his team first.
Azmoun scored twice against Vietnam on Saturday to take his tournament tally to three and move to the top of the tournament’s goalscoring chart.
However, after helping secure Team Melli’s passage through to the Round of 16, the Rubin Kazan forward insists he has no interest in personal accolades as he seeks to help Iran secure their first Continental title since 1976.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/match_highlights_-_january_12.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: After helping guide the Islamic Republic of Iran through to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16, head coach Carlos Queiroz has reiterated just how important his side’s final group stage game against Iraq will be for Team Melli.
Saturday’s 2-0 win over Vietnam, along with Iraq’s later defeat of Yemen, saw Iran – who have now won their opening two games at the AFC Asian Cup for the third tournament in a row – assure themselves of a place in the knockout phase.
While Wednesday’s fixture will undoubtedly rekindle memories of Iraq’s sensational quarter-final victory over the Iranians at the AFC Asian Cup’s last edition, it will also determine who finishes top of Group D, a fact not lost on Queiroz.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: The Islamic Republic of Iran assured themselves of a spot in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16 on Saturday, as an ultimately convincing 2-0 win over Vietnam also saw them underline their position at the top of Group D.
At a wonderfully atmospheric Al Nahyan Stadium, two goals from Sardar Azmoun ensured the Iranians made it six points from six – an impressive start to a campaign which has now seen the three-time champions of Asia guarantee their progress to the knockout phase along with Iraq who beat Yemen in the group’s later game.
With one round of matches still to come, Vietnam must beat Yemen to stand any chance of sealing their place in the next round as one of the best third-place finishers.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sharjah: Iraq sealed a place in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 knockout stage after cruising to a 3-0 win over Yemen in a Group D tie at the Sharjah Stadium on Saturday.
Iraq’s second successive victory - having defeated Vietnam 3-2 on Matchday One - meant Srecko Katanec’s team join Islamic Republic of Iran on six points with Wednesday’s clash with Team Melli to determine who finishes at the top of the standings.
Iran defeated Vietnam 2-0 earlier on Saturday. For Yemen, it was their second defeat after having lost 5-0 to Iran in their opener.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has challenged his players to produce the same intensity they showed in the second half of their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opener against Turkmenistan when they face a highly promising Oman in Group F on Sunday.
Four-time AFC Asian Cup champions Japan raised their game after trailing 1-0 against Turkmenistan at the break but some tweaking by Moriyasu saw a vastly different side in the second half as the Samurai Blue eventually won 3-2.
Oman, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uzbekistan in their opener, need a win to keep their hopes alive and head coach Pim Verbeek promised that his team will give it their all at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Uzbekistan head coach Hector Cuper said his side's AFC Asian Cup's Central Asian 'derby' against Turkmenistan will be won by the best prepared team, ahead of the Matchday Two clash at Rashid Stadium.
With three points in the bag after their 2-1 win over Oman, the White Wolves can seal their place in the Round of 16 with a win over their neighbours, and continue their impressive record of not missing the knockout stage since 2000.
Speaking ahead of the tie, Cuper said he had been impressed by a Turkmenistan side which led Japan before ultimately losing 3-2 in their opening match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has stressed his team will not be changing their style of play when they take on DPR Korea in their next Group E clash in Al Ain on Sunday despite struggling to turn their dominance into goals when they met Lebanon last Wednesday.
Sanchez’s side eventually secured a 2-0 win over the West Asian side with goals from Abdulaziz Hatem and Almoez Ali, but they had to wait to break down Miodrag Radulovic’s well-drilled Lebanese side.
The Spanish coach, though, praised his team’s patient approach and has no intention of a different approach when they take on DPR Korea, with victory almost certain to take the Qataris into the next phase of the competition.