Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Akram Afif has insisted he and his Qatar teammates are focusing on one game at a time, not only during the current AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 but all the way through until the country hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Afif and his compatriots notched up a 2-0 win over Lebanon in Al Ain on Wednesday thanks to goals from Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali as Qatar made a winning start to the continental championship for the first time in almost 40 years.
The victory ensures Felix Sanchez and his team joined Saudi Arabia at the top of the early standings in Group E and that the Qataris go into their next game against DPR Korea knowing victory will effectively seal their spot in the Round of 16.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/qatar-lebanon1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/qatar-celebration.html
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
Al Ain: Qatar showed patience and maturity to pick up a 2-0 win over a determined and well-organised Lebanon at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium as Felix Sanchez’s side notched up an opening victory in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on Wednesday evening.
Second-half goals from Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali gave the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts all three points at the end of a challenging encounter to move Sanchez’s team level on three points with Saudi Arabia at the top of the early standings.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Hatan Bahbri got Saudi Arabia's AFC Asian Cup campaign off to a stunning start, but despite scoring the national team's 1000th goal and helping his side to a 4-0 win over DPR Korea, he remains focused on the challenges which still lay ahead.
The Al Shabab livewire got Juan Antonio Pizzi's side up and running with a strike that was worthy of the milestone, tricking his way past Ri Il-jin before curling in a magnificent effort which DPR Korea goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk could only stand and watch as it crashed into the back of the net.
The 28th-minute goal was also Bahbri's first at senior international level, and set the tone for a performance which delivered Saudi Arabia's first winning start to the AFC Asian Cup since they last won the title, also in the UAE, in 1996.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi was more than satisfied with his side’s performance in their 4-0 win over DPR Korea in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group E opener on Tuesday, attributing the convincing victory to their playstyle.
“We are so happy to start the tournament this way and to win this game, especially with the number of goals we scored,” said Pizzi.
“What was most important was that we implemented our own style of play today. We will follow the same ambition for the coming matches.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Saudi Arabia defeated DPR Korea 4-0 to open their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group E campaign in style at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday.
Both sides had met in the Continental showpiece four years ago, with Saudi Arabia winning 4-1, but DPR Korea - powered by five players who had played abroad - went into the match confident of their chances.
The opening minutes saw possession evenly balanced but as the match progressed, the Green Falcons began to dominate with their first clear chance coming in the 13th minute through Abdulaziz Al Bishi’s left-footed strike which just missed the target.
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.