Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Revelling in the hat-trick which powered his nation to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16, star Kyrgyz Republic striker Vitalij Lux said his side's performances in the competition are proof of their deserving place at the Continent's top table.
The 29-year-old striker was at his lethal best on Wednesday, netting all three Kyrgyz Republic goals in their crucial 3-1 win over fellow debutants the Philippines, their first ever in the Finals.
The Akshumkar's three points, coupled with Vietnam's 2-0 win against Yemen, means the Central Asian side is the first newcomer to the tournament to reach the knockout stage since 2007, and Lux said their achievements are evidence that they belong among Asia's elite.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: A superb hat-trick from Vitalij Lux gave Kyrgyz Republic their first ever AFC Asian Cup win, and a place in the tournament's knockout stage as the Central Asians defeated the Philippines 3-1 at Rashid Stadium on Wednesday.
Lux scored once in the first half, and twice in the second to seal a historic, and crucial three points for Alexander Krestinin's side, who finished third in Group C behind Korea Republic and China PR.
The result, combined with Vietnam's 2-0 win over Yemen in Al Ain three hours later, means Kyrgyz Republic cannot be dislodged from their position as one of the four highest ranked third-place teams.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Head coach Paulo Bento has praised the impact Son Heung-min had on his Korea Republic side following the livewire midfielder’s stellar performance during Wednesday's 2-0 defeat of China PR at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Son, who only arrived in the Emirates earlier this week after being released by club side Tottenham Hotspur, proved to be a key figure throughout the victory, earning a successfully converted first-half penalty and then seeing Kim Min-Jae head home from his corner on 51 minutes.
The win was the Taeguk Warriors’ third in as many games, a run of form which has seen them finish top of Group C and leave Bento admitting that the addition of Son brings a whole host of positives.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Son Heung-min made his first and much-awaited AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 appearance on Wednesday as Korea Republic beat China PR 2-0 to make it three wins from three and claim top spot in Group C.
With both teams already through to the competition’s knockout phase, Son, who arrived in the Emirates earlier this week after being released by Tottenham Hotspur, captained the two-time champions of Asia as goals from Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-Jae saw the Taeguk Warriors set up a Round of 16 meeting against one of the best third-placed finishers from either Group A, B or F in Dubai next Tuesday.
After succumbing to their first defeat of the tournament, Marcello Lippi’s Chinese side finished second in the group and will now face Thailand in Al Ain on Sunday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Islamic Republic of Iran sealed top spot in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 after playing to a 0-0 draw with Iraq on Wednesday.
As group winners, Iran will play the third-placed team from either Group B, E or F in Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Sunday, while runners-up Iraq will face the winners of Group E - either Saudi Arabia or Qatar - in Al Nahyan Stadium on Tuesday.
Carlos Queiroz made four changes to Iran’s starting lineup, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh - who had missed the opening two fixtures - being given a chance to play before a packed Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Vietnam kept their hopes of progressing to the Round of 16 of the AFC Asian UAE 2019 alive on Wednesday as Park Hang-seo’s side handed Yemen a 2-0 defeat at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium that ensures a nervous 24-hour wait for the Southeast Asian side.
A trademark free-kick from Nguyen Quang Hai and a second half penalty from captain Que Ngoc Hai earned the Vietnamese all three points, but Park’s side fell short of the three-goal win that would have guaranteed them a place in the next phase of the competition.
Vietnam finished third in Group D and the three points they accumulated from the win over Yemen means they have surpassed the two amassed by Palestine in Group B in the quest for one of the four spots awarded to the best third-placed teams.
However, they now sit behind Kyrgyz Republic on goal difference, meaning the Central Asian side have advanced.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Awer Mabil admitted Australia’s opening loss against Jordan at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 shook the defending champions into action and inspired Graham Arnold’s side to secure a place in the knockout rounds with subsequent back-to-back victories.
Australia notched up a second win in a row on Tuesday with a 3-2 victory over Syria that took them into the Round of 16 following an earlier victory over Palestine as the Socceroos claimed second place in Group B.
The win over the Syrians in an incident-packed game was sparked by Mabil’s second goal of the tournament and the FC Midtjylland striker said the challenges of a demanding group gave the Australians a jolt ahead of their progress to the next phase of the competition.