Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Friendship will take a backseat when Marcello Lippi and Sven-Goran Eriksson lock horns in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on Friday.
It is a friendship that started in the 1980s but China PR head coach Lippi and his Philippines counterpart Eriksson are both on a mission to ensure their teams enjoy a successful AFC Asian Cup.
China PR are on a better footing, coming from behind to defeat Kyrgyz Republic 2-1 on Matchday One while The Azkals were unfortunate to suffer a 1-0 defeat after a plucky display against Korea Republic.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Having won their opening match, the mood in the China PR squad is positive and captain Zheng Zhi says the team are determined to seal their place in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
China PR came from behind to defeat Kyrgyz Republic 2-1 in their opening Group C match on Monday and Zheng Zhi, 38, said they are determined to get the job done against the Philippines on Friday.
"We were all aware of how important it was to win the opening match and as we expected, it was a tough contest. Thankfully, we were able to get the three points," said Zheng Zhi.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Thailand kept their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 hopes alive by defeating Bahrain 1-0 in a Group A clash at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on Thursday.
Chanathip Songkrasin was the hero as the Southeast Asians secured a remarkable result after their 4-1 defeat to India on Matchday One.
For Bahrain, who drew 1-1 with the United Arab Emirates in their opener, the defeat means they will have to beat India in their final match to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has revealed that a second-half change in approach helped his side come from behind to eventually claim a narrow 3-2 win over Turkmenistan in their opening Group F game at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The four-time Asian champions went into the break trailing 1-0 after Arslanmurat Amanov’s stunning long-range strike had threatened to earn Turkmenistan their first-ever victory at the continental Finals.
However, a much-improved Japanese display after the break – which saw Yuya Osako score twice and Ritsu Doan add a third – proved enough to seal all three points for Japan despite a late scare courtesy of Ahmet Atayev’s 79th minute penalty.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sharjah: Striker Sardor Rashidov is determined to stay focused after Uzbekistan sealed an emphatic 2-1 victory over Oman in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group F tie at the Sharjah Stadium on Wednesday.
Uzbekistan took time to settle into the match against the pacey West Asians before eventually finding the net through Odil Ahmedov’s strike to lead 1-0 at the break.
Hector Cuper’s men soon found themselves defending deep at the start of the second half and were unable to stop Muhsen Al Ghassani from levelling the tie.
Despite the shift in momentum, the White Wolves were able to carve up a goal with five minutes left after substitute Eldor Shomurodov caught the Omani defence napping to snatch a last-gasp winner.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Felix Sanchez praised his side’s patient approach as Qatar made a winning start to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with a 2-0 victory over Lebanon in Al Ain on Wednesday evening, which came courtesy of two goals in the final 25 minutes of the game.
Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali scored for the Gulf side as they joined Saudi Arabia at the top of Group E after the first round of matches, with the pair’s goals capping an assured display in the second period by the Qataris.
Sanchez’s side were made to work for the points against a Lebanon team that was disciplined and well-drilled and the performance of their opponents came as little surprise to the Spanish coach.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sharjah: Uzbekistan head coach Hector Cuper lauded his players after the White Wolves snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Oman in an AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group F tie on Wednesday.
Uzbekistan led 1-0 at the break following Odil Ahmedov's curling free-kick at the Sharjah Stadium.
Oman, however, clawed their way back into the game when substitute Muhsen Al Ghassani pulled his side level in the 72nd minute.
But with five minutes left, Eldor Shomurodov produced a moment of brilliance after coming on as a second-half substitute to ensure Cuper’s men got their UAE 2019 campaign off to a winning start.