Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia are exactly where head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi wants them to be at this stage of their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
With just 11 days to go before the Continental showpiece kicks off, Pizzi said the players selected are the best to carry Saudi Arabia's challenge in UAE 2019.
"We have been watching and evaluating the performance of each player with his club and we examined all possibilities as to what they can provide to the team.
"We also took into consideration whether they participated in previous training camps and know the way the technical staff work," said Pizzi to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation website.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia, seeking to win the AFC Asian Cup title for a fourth time, have named their final squad for the Continental showpiece to be held in the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia's last of three titles was won when the UAE hosted the 1996 edition and Juan Antonio Pizzi's squad are aiming to repeat history.
Drawn in Group E, Saudi Arabia will open their campaign DPR Korea on January 8 before playing Lebanon on January 12 and Qatar five days later.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Qatar notched another win in their buildup to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, defeating Jordan 2-0 in a friendly match in Doha on Sunday.
Almoez Ali gave Qatar the lead in the 31st minute and substitute Ahmad Abdelmutaal added the second in second half added time in a match which was played behind closed doors.
Qatar have been enjoying a rich vein of form in their buildup to the AFC Asian Cup, having defeated - among others - Switzerland, Ecuador and China PR in friendlies.
Qatar, who are in Group E, will face Lebanon on January 9 in their opening AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 match. They will then face DPR Korea on January 13 before concluding their group stage campaign against three-time champions Saudi Arabia four days later.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After a breakthrough season in which he helped Al Sadd reach the 2018 AFC Champions League semi-finals, Akram Afif is set to take on his first AFC Asian Cup next month.
Despite being just 22, Akram Afif already has playing experience in Belgium and Spain, the Qatari midfielder will look to cement his status as one of Asia's top talents during January's AFC Asian Cup.
Nationality: Qatar
Date of birth: 18/11/1996
Position: Midfield
Current club: Al Sadd (Qatar)
Previous clubs: Eupen (Belgium), Villarreal, Sporting Gijon (both Spain)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Former head coach Jorn Andersen has backed DPR Korea to secure a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 next month despite being drawn in Group E that also features Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Lebanon.
Andersen was at the helm of the team as they secured their berth at the Finals with a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong in Pyongyang in March before standing down to eventually join K League side Incheon United.
The former Norway international striker has since been replaced by Kim Yong-jun, who will take the squad into the Finals, but Andersen is confident DPR Korea can progress to the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since 1980 as one of the qualifiers from Group E.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Lebanon qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time after playing in the 2000 edition as the host country. And Hassan Maatouk’s contribution has been crucial to their success.
Despite boasting a host of foreign-based players, Maatouk, who returned to Lebanon after six years in UAE football, remains Lebanon’s talisman. He helped the Cedars qualify for UAE 2019 with five goals in six matches.
Nationality: Lebanon
Date of birth: 08/10/1987
Position: Forward
Current club: Nejmeh SC (Lebanon)
Previous clubs: Al Ahed (Lebanon), Ajman, Al Shaab, Fujairah (All UAE)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Rookies Hussein Monzer and Hadi Mortada are among the 27 players Miodrag Radulovic has included in the preliminary Lebanon squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Monzer, a midfielder, plays for Al-Ahed while goalkeeper features for Tadamon Sour.
Lebanon, drawn in Group E, will face Saudi Arabia, DPR Korea and Qatar in their bid to advance to the knockout stage.
It will be be their second appearance in the Continental showpiece, with their previous involvement on home soil in 2000.
The final squad of 23 has to be named by December 26.