Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: It has been only four months that Srecko Katanec has taken charge of the Iraqi football team. But within such a short time the Slovenian has managed to forge such a strong bond with the players and turn them into a fighting fit unit that he believes they will give their all to excel at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Katanec represented Yugoslavia at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games besides the European Championship in 1984 and the FIFA World Cup in 1990. He is considered one of the greatest players from Yugoslavia and among the new nations to emerge after its break-up. He has also played for Slovenia, besides coaching them for more than eight years in two stints.
In this exclusive chat with the-AFC.com, the former defensive midfielder talks about Iraq’s chances in the AFC Asian Cup.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With a number of veterans either retiring or left out by coach Moriyasu Hajime, 24-year-old Shoya Nakajima will be looking to impress as one of the stars of the next generation in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
He might be the shortest player in the Japan squad, but less than a year after making his senior debut, Nakajima has grown into one of the most influential players in the Samurai Blue setup as they seek a record-extending fifth AFC Asian Cup title.
Nationality: Japan Date of birth: 23/08/1994 Position: Midfielder Current club: Portimonense (Portugal) Previous clubs: Tokyo Verdy, FC Tokyo, Kataller Toyama (All Japan)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: United Arab Emirates suffered a setback in their preparations for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after losing 2-0 to Kuwait in an international friendly, while China PR and Jordan played to a 1-1 draw and Iraq scored a 1-0 win over Palestine on Friday.
UAE 0-2 KUWAIT
Dubai: UAE, preparing to host the AFC Asian Cup 2019, fell to a surprise 2-0 to Kuwait.
Kuwait claimed victory through Bader Al Mutawa and Omar Beitar's goals in the 45th and 86th minutes respectively.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Football fans across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will benefit from attending world-class live action this January, thanks to the UAE Pro League and its support of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
With the largest-ever AFC Asian Cup coming to the UAE next month, more stadiums are being used than ever before, including six homes to UAE Pro League clubs, as part of the eight venues for the four-week tournament.
The thousands of loyal football fans attending UAE Pro League matches each week will now be able to watch the AFC Asian Cup, thanks to the support of their clubs who have agreed to reward their supporters with tickets for selected group stage matches.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Vital Borkelmans is a positive guy who likes to emphasise over and over again that he is also a “happy coach”. Less than four months in the hot seat as coach of Jordan, the two-time Belgian World Cupper feels he has grown into the job and is brimming with confidence as he heads into his first AFC Asian Cup.
“Since I took over in September I have been trying a lot of things. My focus is on developing a system and so far I am very happy with the progress the team and I have made,” former Belgian international Borkelmans told the-AFC.com in an exclusive interview.
“The players have responded well to my methods. In fact, credit to them that they made my job of selecting the team very difficult!”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez has stressed he will adopt a ‘one game at a time’ approach as his team prepare to launch their challenge for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 title next month.
The Spaniard, whose side have been drawn to face Lebanon, DPR Korea and three-time winners Saudi Arabia in Group E, will kick off their campaign in Al Ain on January 9 against the Lebanese and Sanchez is refusing to look beyond the meeting at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The last time the AFC Asian Cup was played in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia arrived in Abu Dhabi with their chances being written off.
A disappointing Gulf Cup performance saw head coach Ze Mario replaced with Nelo Vingada as expectations plummeted. Three weeks later, the trophy was heading back to Riyadh.
The mood was downbeat and the hopes low when Nelo Vingada led his team off the flight from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in the days leading up to start of the 11th edition of the AFC Asian Cup.