Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Abu Dhabi: Syria are the latest team to have arrived for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, with Bernd Stange's squad touching down in Abu Dhabi late on Monday.
Syria, drawn in Group B, are determined to make an impact in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 after their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia adventure, where they came within two matches of advancing to the Inter-Continental Playoff.
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bernd_stange-syria.html

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kuala Lumpur: Omar Al Somah has urged his Syrian teammates to make the most of a once in a generation opportunity and produce a performance to remember at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The Qasioun Eagles have never survived the group stage at the Continental Finals, but the current Syrian side is one with ample reason to believe they are capable of going to the knockout stage and beyond.
Prolific striker Al Somah and 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Khribin are the spearheads of a talented Syrian squad, which went within 180 minutes of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup before losing a play-off thriller to reigning Asian champions Australia 3-2 over two legs.
Syria are set to face the Australians again in the UAE but Al Somah isn't interested in looking back, preferring to focus on a competition he believes his side are capable of winning.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kuala Lumpur: As Palestine return to the AFC Asian Cup for the second time in their history, they will be looking at Sameh Maraaba as the main man to add to their one goal in 2015.
Despite not being an out-and-out striker, Maraaba's tally of nine goals in 25 caps means he will be one of his country's primary attacking weapons as they look to improve on their sole AFC Asian Cup display four years ago when they lost all games and scored just one goal.
Nationality: Palestine Date of birth: 19/03/1992 Position: Midfielder Current club: Shabab Al Khalil (Palestine) Previous clubs: Islami Qalqiliya, Shabab Yatta, Shabab Al Khadar, Thaqafi Tulkarem, Ahli Al Khalil (All Palestine)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kuala Lumpur: A year ago Bernd Stange was enjoying retirement, but in less than a month the 70-year-old will be at the helm of a talented Syrian side's push for a best-ever showing at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
In a wide-ranging interview with the-AFC.com, the globetrotting German boss discussed his return to football, his inside knowledge of Group B opponents Australia and the steely resolve of his playing group.
Stange has seen it all - and had seemingly seen enough when he decided to call time on his decorated career in July 2016 - but the veteran tactician simply couldn't shake his love affair with the game, coming out of retirement to lead Syria's campaign at UAE 2019.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Doha: A 69th minute goal from Muhannad Ali helped Iraq secure a 2-1 win against China PR in an international friendly match ahead of both their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaigns.
Ahmad Ibrahim (pictured above) opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for the West Asians, but China made sure they went into the break level as star striker Wu Lei equalised two minutes before the half-time whistle.
However, it was 2007 AFC Asian Cup winners Iraq who prevailed, courtesy of Ali’s goal in the 69th minute.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sydney: Football Federation Australia (FFA) has confirmed that Austria-based midfielder James Jeggo will replace Aaron Mooy in the Socceroos squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Jeggo, 26, has been playing regularly in the Austrian Bundesliga for his club FK Austria Wien this season and will add a defensive option to Graham Arnold’s midfield mix for the tournament.
Socceroos head coach Arnold said: “James has been performing really well in Austria and is a fantastic character, so we are very happy to have him join the squad. Initially James was very unlucky to miss out on the squad, but sometimes these things happen in football and we are glad we can provide him with this opportunity.
"James has thrived at club level playing in a defensive midfield role and with three attacking central midfielders already in the squad, we felt we needed someone with James’ attributes to provide some depth in that area.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Doha: Palestine coach Noureddine Ould Ali reckons his team’s first match in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 against Syria will prove key to their progress in the tournament.
Palestine will be playing at this level for only the second time and a January 6 clash in Sharjah against the Syrians could prove decisive for qualification to the knockout stage from a group which also includes reigning champions Australia and Jordan.
“The first game in a tournament is always the most difficult,” Ali told the-AFC.com in an exclusive interview.
“When you start a tournament, you are looking for rhythm. The rhythm in training or during a preparatory match is not the same as the rhythm you are supposed to have in a proper match situation,” Ali added.