Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: After 51 games and a record 130 goals, the AFC Asian Cup has been run and won for another four years, with Qatar making history by winning the title for the first time.
With the ink still drying on another memorable chapter in the competition's proud history, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the notable numbers and statistical highlights of the 17th edition of Asia's biggest football tournament.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/final_japan_1-3_qatar.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/almoez_ali_-_qatar_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/akram_afif-almoez_ali.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/valeri_kichin-kyrgyz_republic_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/saad_al_sheeb-qatar-gk_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iraq_rejoice_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/group_b_-_matchday_two_palestine_vs_australia .html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/saudi_arabia-dpr_korea1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/jung_woo-young-korea_republic_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Felix Sanchez has warned the rest of the Continent that his newly crowned AFC Asian Cup winners can become even better after Qatar saw off Japan to claim their maiden continental crown on Friday.
Qatar emerged with the title for the first time after seven straight wins in the United Arab Emirates saw them score 19 times and concede just once to claim the newly-minted AFC Asian Cup trophy as the country continues along the road towards the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Almoez Ali emerged as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Akram Afif and others impressed over the last four weeks and, with the Qataris boasting one of the youngest squads at the tournament, Sanchez believes there is more to come from his talented line-up.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Almoez Ali had no sooner etched his name in the history books of the AFC Asian Cup than he was already looking forward to the next challenge that awaits him and his Qatari teammates on the road towards the country’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ali’s nine-goal haul makes him the most successful striker at a single AFC Asian Cup Finals ever with his total surpassing the great Ali Daei’s record, which was achieved the last time the tournament was played in the United Arab Emirates in 1996.
That tally saw him finish as the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 topscorer as well as claim the Most Valuable Player award, but despite an impressive personal haul, Ali is already setting his sights further forward.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Qatar captain Hasan Al Haydos was elated at his side's stunning 3-1 win over Japan in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final on Thursday, declaring he had emerged from the biggest competition of his career as a champion.
The 28-year-old labelled the decider at Zayed Sports City Stadium as the biggest game in his life, and goals to Almoez Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim and Akram Afif ensured he finished it from at the top of the Asian football mountain.
Speaking after becoming the first player in history to hoist the new AFC Asian Cup trophy, Al Haydos revealed his delight to the-AFC.com.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: As Qatar celebrated their maiden Continental title on Friday, Saad Al Sheeb won the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Best Goalkeeper Award as the competition's outstanding shot-stopper.
The 28-year-old Al Saad custodian played a key role in Al Annabi's unprecedented march to the title, conceding only once in his side's seven matches.
Al Sheeb was almost unbeatable throughout Qatar's historic campaign, as his side became the first to reach the final with six successive clean sheets to their name.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: A disappointed Maya Yoshida said Japan's loss in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final was an opportunity lost, after their hopes of a fifth Continental title were extinguished by Qatar on Friday.
Stunning goals from Almoez Ali and Abdelaziz Hatim had Qatar two goals ahead within half an hour, but Japan found a lifeline through Takumi Minamino in the 69th minute, before a VAR-assisted penalty conceded by Yoshida was converted by Akram Afif, effectively sealing the tie at 3-1.
Yoshida, who won the title as a 22-year-old in Qatar eight years ago, was left to reflect on one that got away for the competition's most successful nation.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has admitted that Qatar were worthy winners after seeing his Japan side succumb to a 3-1 defeat in Friday’s AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final.
Spectacular first-half strikes from Almoez Ali and Abdelaziz Hatim, coupled with a late penalty from Akram Afif helped Qatar seal their first-ever AFC Asian Cup title and deny the Samurai Blue a record-extending fifth Continental crown.
Takumi Minamino’s 69th minute goal had briefly hinted at a Japan revival, but notwithstanding the East Asians’ second-half rally, Moriyasu believes Qatar were full value for their success.