Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Iraq may be a top side but a confident Vietnam fancy their chances going into Tuesday's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group D tie at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.
A spectacular 2018, said head coach Park Hang-seo, will see Vietnam giving the Continental showpiece their all as the Southeast Asians look to better the quarter-final finish achieved in their last appearance in 2007.
Iraq head coach Srecko Katanec was equally bullish, citing a solid preparation for his confidence.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: China escaped with all three points from their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opener on Monday as Marcello Lippi’s side staged a second half rally to hand debutants Kyrgyz Republic a 2-1 defeat at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium.
Akhlidin Israilov had given Alexander Krestinin’s team the lead three minutes before the break but an unfortunate own goal by Kyrgyz keeper Pavel Matiash and a fine finish from substitute Yu Dabao earned China the win in the nations’ Group C opener.
China went into the game without suspended captain Zheng Zhi, the former AFC Player of the Year, but were still heavily fancied against a team making their debut at the AFC Asian Cup.
But Kyrgyz Republic made it clear from the outset they would not be overawed, either by the opposition or the occasion, and started the game putting the Chinese defence on the back foot.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sharjah: Goalkeeper Rami Hamada hailed Palestine’s goalless draw against Syria in their first AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 match as a historic one for the nation.
The Palestinians weathered an avalanche of Syrian attacks to walk out of Sharjah Stadium with a valuable point to kick-start their continental campaign.
A string of excellent saves from Hamada and some resolute defending by coach Noureddine Ould Ali’s side saw Palestine deny Syria a win despite the 68th minute dismissal of defender Mohammed Saleh.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sharjah: A disappointed Omar Al Soma says Syria still have a lot to play for despite their goalless draw with Palestine in an AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group B tie on Sunday.
Syria, who are featuring in their sixth AFC Asian Cup, had never drawn at the Continental showpiece in their last 13 games - with a record of five wins and eight losses.
The Qasioun Eagles raced off the blocks at the Sharjah Stadium and came close to scoring in the opening minutes of the game but were often halted by a stout Palestine defence, who had Rami Hamada between the sticks.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Sunil Chhetri has been quick to play down the significant statistics surrounding India’s impressive 4-1 win over Thailand at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on Sunday, insisting instead that his sole focus is on what lies ahead for the South Asians.
On what proved to be a momentous night for head coach Stephen Constantine’s charges, Chhetri netted either side of the break as – along with goals from Anirudh Thapa and Jeje Lalpekhlua – India recorded their first win at the Finals of an AFC Asian Cup since beating Hong Kong at the 1964 tournament.
His brace also took the JSW Bengaluru star’s tally for India to 67 – two ahead of Lionel Messi on 65 and 18 behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the list of the top three international goalscorers still currently representing their countries.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Jordan coach Vital Borkelmans hailed the performance of veteran goalkeeper Amer Shafi after the 36-year-old played a huge role in his side’s winning start to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 with victory over defending champions Australia on Sunday.
Shafi, who is representing his country at the tournament for a fourth time after playing in the Finals in 2004, 2011 and 2015, made several important saves as the Socceroos attempted to find a way to cancel out Anas Bani Yaseen’s first half header.
Graham Arnold’s team was unable to claim an equaliser as Jordan held on to record a historic result against the holders, and Borkelmans praised Shafi’s impact, not only between the posts but on the rest of the players in the team.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: The Wild Boars Football Academy, whose brave rescue from a flooded cave in Thailand inspired the world, continued their remarkable fairy-tale after three players and their assistant coach were presented with a rare opportunity to witness their Thai heroes open their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 campaign against India on Sunday.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, who presented Chanin Viboonrungruang, Adul Samon and Ponchai Khamluang along with assistant coach Ekapol Chanthawong with UAE 2019 mementos during the match, said: “The AFC is very pleased to welcome the players from Wild Boars Academy to the AFC Asian Cup.
“Their journey here reinforces the power of football to inspire hope and their presence in the UAE is another fine example of how Asia’s most prestigious tournament is making dreams come true for millions of fans across the Continent.”