Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Having brought you the lowdown on the capital Abu Dhabi, we continue our series of venue guides, exploring the four 2019 AFC Asian Cup host cities, this time with Dubai.
One of the world's top holiday destinations, Dubai is famous for its serene beaches, luxurious attractions and being home to the World's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The UAE's most populous city hosts eight group-stage matches and three more in the knock-out stages.
City: Dubai Population: 3.1 million Local Clubs: Al Nasr, Al Wasl, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, Hatta
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/al_maktoum_stadium.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/rashid_stadium.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/palm_monorail.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hatta.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With a month to go until the 2019 AFC Asian Cup kicks-off in the United Arab Emirates, we explore the four host cities, starting with the capital Abu Dhabi.
Home to 18 of the 50 AFC Asian Cup matches, the UAE capital is an Island city, accessible from the mainland through three bridges. Abu Dhabi is home to the UAE's federal government offices and is the country's second most populous city.
City: Abu Dhabi
Population: 1.8 million
Local Clubs: Al Wahda, Al Jazira
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Since its inception in 1956, the AFC Asian Cup has seen 32 nations grace the ultimate stage. The decision to expand the 17th edition of Asia’s crown jewel to 24 teams made an instant impact with Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines and Yemen marking the first time the tournament will see three debutants since the 2004 edition in China PR.
As the Continent’s most-anticipated showpiece draws closer, the three debutants are leaving nothing to chance in their quests to confirm their deserving place amongst Asia’s elite.
Philippines extended their outstanding form beyond their Qualifiers, impressing with a six-match unbeaten run since March, which included commendable draws against Bahrain, Oman and Thailand before their narrow defeat to Vietnam in the AFF Cup semi-finals last week.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: With the biggest and best AFC Asian Cup less than one month away, passionate fans from across the Continent and beyond have confirmed the Team Bus slogans for the 24 participating teams.
After shortlisting the thousands of entries in phase one, each nation was then given a selection of three catchphrases to choose from in the second phase, which ended on November 1, 2018.
The month-long contest, which was launched to give football fans the opportunity to showcase their passion and be a part of the continental showpiece, was a major hit on social media with the second phase receiving over 105,000 votes across the AFC’s digital platforms.
Islamic Republic of Iran led the Continent in engagement numbers, garnering over 25,000 votes, with the winning slogan – Eighty Million People, One Nation, One Heartbeat – securing over 11,000 votes.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Already a legend at club level with Shanghai SIPG, 27-year-old Wu Lei is looking to emulate his goal-scoring exploits in China PR colours at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in January.
Although he has never played his club football abroad, Wu Lei is widely regarded as one of the top players to have emerged from China PR over the past decade. His two nominations of the AFC Player of the Year award - he finished third in both 2016 and 2017 - are testament to his status in Asian football.
Nationality: China PR
Date of birth: 19/11/1991
Position: Winger
Current club: Shanghai SIPG
Previous clubs: None
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Kyrgyz Republic may be newcomers to the AFC Asian Cup, but head coach Aleksandr Krestinin believes his side are good enough to reach the knockout stage at UAE 2019.
The Central Asians are in Group C alongside Korea Republic, China PR and fellow first-time qualifiers the Philippine, but, while aware of the scale of the challenge ahead, Krestinin told the-AFC.com he is confident of a successful campaign in the United Arab Emirates.
"We understand our level, and the level of the AFC Asian Cup," the 40-year-old explained. "We must be competitively capable, and we have everything to be able to do that."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As the 24 teams battle for the Continental crown in January, goals will be the most valuable currency. The-AFC.com kicks off our weekly Asian Cup UAE 2019 series '10 of the Best' with a look at 10 target men whose nations will rely on to deliver the goals.
UAE's Ali Mabkhout nipped the top scorer award in 2015 with five goals. But with the tournament expanded from 16 to 24 teams this time around, the goals race is set to be even more heated. Here are a selection of leading candidates who could take the mantle from the Emirati this January.