Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Japan were forced to come from behind and survive a late Turkmenistan rally before sealing a 3-2 win over their Central Asian opponents to begin their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group F campaign with a vital, albeit narrow, victory on Wednesday.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Yuya Osaka’s brace and a goal from Ritsu Doan proved the difference in a game which had seen four-time champions Japan trailing at half-time before a spirited revival ensured all three points for Hajime Moriyasu’s charges.
The result takes Japan to the top of Group F where they are level on points with Uzbekistan who beat Oman 2-1 in the group's later game.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/arslanmurat_amanov-turkmenistan_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/maya_yoshida_jpn.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/yuya_osako-japan.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/japan-turkmenistan2.html
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: 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
Abu Dhabi: Football fans from the UAE and all over the world now know exactly where to come together when looking for a fun and engaging setting to experience the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 thanks to the launch of two official public fan zones.
Based in Towayya park in Al Ain and Al Bahar at Corniche in Abu Dhabi, the venues are offering the public with an entertaining space where they can enjoy all the drama and excitement of the tournament and an enthralling experience like no other to local and visiting football supporters from the opening match to the final on February 1.
A Vietnamese music group and Japanese Taiko drummers troop were the first to take to the stage on the opening couple of days with 50 more stage acts and 24 artists and bands confirmed to follow, providing live entertainment across the 28-day tournament. Both venues also have inflatables for kids, food trucks, mini-pitches and fun-filled games for all in the family including orb football, human foosball and more.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Islamic Republic of Iran forward Mehdi Taremi is hoping that his side’s 5-0 win over Yemen in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opening encounter is just the start of things to come.
The 26-year-old Al Gharafa favourite scored twice on a night when the three-time Asian champions were rarely troubled by opponents making their debut in the competition as a unified nation.
Iran’s impressive victory saw them assume pole position in Group D, a flying start that Taremi believes will stand his side in good stead going forward.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Philippines head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson expressed his pride at his side’s performance against Korea Republic in their first-ever appearance at the AFC Asian Cup Finals on Monday.
In a match that was dominated by Korea Republic, the Azkals displayed impressive character to keep their opponents at bay before Hwang Ui-jo’s 67th minute strike eventually sealed the East Asians the win in the Group C tie.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Marcello Lippi revealed a half-time dressing down for his players helped spark their second half comeback against Kyrgyz Republic as China notched up a 2-1 win over the AFC Asian Cup debutants on Monday afternoon.
Yu Dabao scored with 12 minutes remaining to give the Chinese all three points in the Group C clash after Akhlidin Israilov had put Kyrgyz Republic ahead three minutes before the break, only for an own goal from goalkeeper Pavel Matiash to allow China to pull level.
Lippi’s team showed a marked improvement in the second half having been second-best in the opening 45 minutes and the former Juventus and Italy coach was puzzled by his team’s lacklustre display in the first half.