Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: After 50 compelling matches, limitless drama and the emergence of several new stars, just two teams remain in the hunt for Asian football's greatest prize.
As the Continent counts down the hours to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final, the-AFC.com hears from the key individuals in Friday's encounter at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: As Japan prepare to face Qatar in Friday’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final, the-AFC.com takes a look back at how the Samurai Blue have reached the title showdown.
Japan 3-2 Turkmenistan Group Stage - January 9: Al Nahyan Stadium
Japan came from behind and survived a late Turkmenistan rally to seal a 3-2 Group F win over their Central Asian opponents with Ritsu Doan bagging his side’s vital third goal.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: With Qatar set to meet Japan in Friday’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final, join the-AFC.com as we take a look back at the West Asian nation’s journey to their title showdown with the Samurai Blue.
Qatar 2-0 Lebanon
Group Stage - January 9: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium
Second-half goals from Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali saw Qatar pick up a 2-0 win over a determined and well-organised Lebanon as they recorded an opening victory in Group E.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Friday’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final will not only pit Qatar against Japan but also two highly motivated and experienced coaches who have successfully guided their respective teams through to the title showdown.
In Felix Sanchez, Qatar have a head coach who has overseen the steady progress of several of Al Annabi’s leading lights – notably Akram Afif and Almoez Ali – thanks to his spells with a host of the West Asian nation’s age-group teams.
The 43-year-old Barcelona native joined the Doha-based Aspire Academy in 2006 before, seven years later, taking charge of the Qatari side which would go on to beat DPR Korea and claim the AFC U-19 Championship in 2014.
Sanchez subsequently replaced Jorge Fossati in the Qatar hotseat in 2017, a role he now combines with the country’s U-23 side who he guided to a third-place finish at the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: After a decade waiting in the wings, Shuichi Gonda is Japan's number one goalkeeper as they chase a fifth AFC Asian Cup title, and it's an opportunity he is taking with both hands.
For a decade, Gonda has been Japan's goalkeeping nearly man.
He was part of the AFC Asian Cup-winning squad of 2011, and earned a call up to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil three years later, but didn't appear in either tournament as Eji Kawashima held down the position.
Having made his international debut way back in 2010, the 29-year-old had just five caps to his name coming into UAE 2019, but he has made the position his own, making five appearances and producing four successive clean sheets.
His efforts have helped Japan secure a place in the final against Qatar, and Gonda says he has a duty to perform.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: After making history by equalling Ali Daei's longstanding record for most goals in an AFC Asian Cup, Qatar striker Almoez Ali immediately turned his attention to Friday's final against Japan.
Ali, who was born four months before Daei set the record in the 1996 edition of the tournament, drew level with the Islamic Republic of Iran legend eight minutes before half time, scoring superbly from the edge of the penalty area to put his side 2-0 up against the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking to the-AFC.com after his side's eventual 4-0 win, the in-form Al Duhail front man expressed his joy, before turning his attention to the tournament decider.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: After 50 matches between teams from all over the continent, the combatants in Asia's biggest football fixture have been decided, with Japan to meet Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final.
Who, when, where? JAPAN v QATAR Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi - 18:00, February 1
Japan's 3-0 win against Islamic Republic of Iran in Al Ain on Monday and Qatar's victory over hosts United Arab Emirates 24 hours later in Abu Dhabi, sets up a mouth-watering clash between the sides, who will meet in the decider for the first time in the competition's 63-year history.