Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: On a busy night for AFC Asian Cup aspirants, Islamic Republic of Iran, Vietnam and Kyrgyz Republic scored morale boosting wins in international friendlies while Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic settled for a goalless draw on Monday.
Iran, seeking a third AFC Asian Cup title, defeated in-form Qatar 2-1, Vietnam overcame the Philippines 4-2 while Kyrgyz Republic beat Palestine 2-1.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/qatar-iran-afc.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Hassan Al Haydos reckons that an exemplary performance by Qatar in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup would be tremendous boost for the country which will be hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Qatar have appeared in the AFC Asian Cup nine times but managed to reach the quarter-finals only twice – in 2000 and 2011 – something which hurts the 28-year-old veteran of more than 100 international matches.
“It’s a very important year for us as we are competing in the Asian Cup as well as the Copa America. I have to thank the federation for Qatar getting an invite to the Copa America which is one of the toughest tournaments in the world,” Al Haydos told Qatar’s Gulf Times newspaper.
“Then we have the World Cup coming up in four years. These tournaments are part of our preparations for the FIFA World Cup.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Carlos Queiroz will lead tournament favourites the Islamic Republic of Iran into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 having instructed his players to focus on winning one game at a time as the nation aims to end a 43-year drought at the Continental championship.
The Portuguese coach leads a squad that leans heavily on the one that represented the country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in the summer, with 18 of the players who impressed against Morocco, Spain and Portugal slated to make the trip to the UAE.
But while the strength in depth of Queiroz’s squad has the Iranians marked out as one of the nations fancied to win the title, the former Real Madrid coach claims his focus is solely on his side’s opening game against Yemen on January 7 in Abu Dhabi.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Excitement is building ahead of the 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup as 23 nations get set join hosts United Arab Emirates in the 24-team tournament.
With the opening game between the UAE and Bahrain now just a week away, the-AFC.com has gone through the groups to pick out a fun fact per team so you can brush up on your knowledge ahead of the big kick-off.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Jordan captain Amer Shafi is hoping his country gets lucky at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and shed their status as perennial underachievers at the Continental level.
The “Whale” has been a formidable force in the goal for Jordan for over 16 years, having made his debut in a friendly against Kenya in 2002 and since then going on to feature in close to 150 matches for the national team.
The UAE edition of the AFC Asian Cup will be his and his country’s fourth appearance at the Continental showpiece, a fact that makes him particularly proud.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: James Jeggo has vowed to make the most of his chance after receiving a late call-up to be part of Australia's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign.
Midfielder Jeggo, who plays his club football with Austria Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga, was a late inclusion in Australia’s 23-man squad for the Continental showpiece after Aaron Mooy pulled out with a knee injury.
His disappointment at having missed out turned to joy and Jeggo says he is determined to play a key role as Australia prepare to defend the title they won four years ago on home soil.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The last time the AFC Asian Cup was played in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia arrived in Abu Dhabi with their chances being written off.
A disappointing Gulf Cup performance saw head coach Ze Mario replaced with Nelo Vingada as expectations plummeted. Three weeks later, the trophy was heading back to Riyadh.
The mood was downbeat and the hopes low when Nelo Vingada led his team off the flight from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in the days leading up to start of the 11th edition of the AFC Asian Cup.