Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kashima: Japan may be a team in transition but that, says head coach Hajime Moriyasu, isn't going to derail them from the target of winning the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Should the Samurai Blue lift the brand new AFC Asian Cup trophy come February 1, it would be a record-extending fifth title and Moriyasu said that it is incentive enough for his players to gel as quickly as possible.
Several players, including the iconic Keisuke Honda, retired after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and Moriyasu has been working on grooming the next generation of Samurai Blue.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Several players are being given the opportunity to show their credentials as Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento prepares to finalise his squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The likes of Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min and Newcastle United midfielder Ki Sung-yueng were not called up for the friendlies against Australia (Saturday) and Uzbekistan (November 20).
Hamburg SV forward Hwang Hee-chan (pictured below) withdrew from the squad due to an injury on Tuesday, joining right-back Kim Moon-hwan on the sidelines.
Bento, however, was unperturbed that he will be missing several key players for the first friendlies of his reign on foreign soil.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Top scorer of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Ali Mabkhout has grown in importance for the host nation as they look to win their first ever title.
If Omar Abdulrahman was the poster boy for the United Arab Emirates’ success in reaching the AFC Asian Cup last time out in Australia, and finishing third, then Ali Mabkhout was the side’s most productive performer.
The Whites’ number 7 was the tournament’s top goalscorer in 2015, bagging five goals in six appearances, including the fastest ever goal in the history of the AFC Asian Cup, scored 14 seconds into the UAE’s group stage match against Bahrain.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bengaluru: Udanta Singh has revealed that it was a childhood dream to represent India as he looks forward to participating in his maiden AFC Asian Cup with the South Asian nation in the United Arab Emirates in January.
The 22-year-old JSW Bengaluru player is regarded by many as his country's brightest young star and has already gained a wealth of continental experience in helping his club side advance to the latter reaches of the AFC Cup in the past three seasons.
The focus will soon switch to the international scene, with India set to appear in their first AFC Asian Cup since 2011. Their return sees them paired in Group A with hosts UAE, Bahrain and Thailand, who they will open their tournament against on January 6.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Josh Risdon believes Saturday's friendly against Korea Republic will provide a rigorous measure of the Socceroos' readiness for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Head coach Graham Arnold has chosen a strong squad for his first home match since returning to the top job.
And what better way to test his team than against the side the Socceroos beat back in 2015 to be crowned continental champions.
“It’s going to be a tough game, a great test for us leading into the Asian Cup,” Risdon said.
“I’m sure Arnie will be pushing us hard and getting us focused to get the result.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Bahrain national team head coach Miroslav Soukup has included Kuwait-based Sayed Dhiya Saeed and Sayed Mahdi Baqer in the 26-strong squad for international friendly matches against Kuwait and Oman.
The friendlies are part of Bahrain's preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, where the West Asians will have the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and india for company in Group A.
Saeed and Baqer play for Al Nasr in Kuwait. The rest of the squad consists players who feature domestically.
Bahrain, whose best finish in the AFC Asian Cup was emerging fourth in the 2004 edition, will be making their sixth appearance in the Continental showpiece.
They will be seeking to better their 2015 showing, having exited the tournament at the group stage. Soukup's team will take on hosts UAE in the opening match on January 5.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran will be based in Doha, Qatar for their final phase of training for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The Iran squad, led by head coach Carlos Queiroz, will be based at the Aspire Academy in Doha on December 10-January 2.
Three-time AFC Asian Cup winners Iran are seeking a first title since 1976, having not advanced past the quarter-final stage for the last three editions of the Continental showpiece.