Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Several players are being given the opportunity to show their credentials as Korea Republic head coach Paulo Bento prepares to finalise his squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The likes of Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min and Newcastle United midfielder Ki Sung-yueng were not called up for the friendlies against Australia (Saturday) and Uzbekistan (November 20).
Hamburg SV forward Hwang Hee-chan (pictured below) withdrew from the squad due to an injury on Tuesday, joining right-back Kim Moon-hwan on the sidelines.
Bento, however, was unperturbed that he will be missing several key players for the first friendlies of his reign on foreign soil.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hwang_hee-chan-korea-afp.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Top scorer of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Ali Mabkhout has grown in importance for the host nation as they look to win their first ever title.
If Omar Abdulrahman was the poster boy for the United Arab Emirates’ success in reaching the AFC Asian Cup last time out in Australia, and finishing third, then Ali Mabkhout was the side’s most productive performer.
The Whites’ number 7 was the tournament’s top goalscorer in 2015, bagging five goals in six appearances, including the fastest ever goal in the history of the AFC Asian Cup, scored 14 seconds into the UAE’s group stage match against Bahrain.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Josh Risdon believes Saturday's friendly against Korea Republic will provide a rigorous measure of the Socceroos' readiness for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Head coach Graham Arnold has chosen a strong squad for his first home match since returning to the top job.
And what better way to test his team than against the side the Socceroos beat back in 2015 to be crowned continental champions.
“It’s going to be a tough game, a great test for us leading into the Asian Cup,” Risdon said.
“I’m sure Arnie will be pushing us hard and getting us focused to get the result.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
New Delhi: Striker Sunil Chhetri has been ruled out of India’s international friendly against Jordan following an ankle injury sustained during JSW Bengaluru’s ISL match against Kerala Blasters on November 5.
India team physiotherapist Gigy George said Chhetri has been advised rest and didn't report to the preparatory camp in New Delhi.
"The BFC Medical Team have shared the MRI reports and medical assessments and we have scrutinised them thoroughly. Sunil needs rest of around two weeks and proper rehabilitation after which he can get back to training,” Gigy said.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: 'Give yourself a chance' was the inspiring message given to women of all ages as they were joined by the United Arab Emirates women’s national teams for the latest AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 ‘It’s My Game’ event.
The event, which took place at the UAE Football Association Headquarters in Dubai, began with a panel discussion focused on sport leadership followed by a friendly match that enabled women to play with, and against, members of the UAE women’s national teams.
The panel was made up of Sara Ali Al Sayegh, Director of Marketing and Communications at Dubai Sports Council, Anita Mehra, Executive Vice President of Communication and Reputation at Dubai Airports, Professor Kamilla Swart, Master in Sport Management Programme Director at American University in the Emirates, and Reeva Bains, a Sports Marketing consultant.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Turning 40 next April, evergreen striker Lee Dong-gook is still scoring goals at the continental level for club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. We rewind the clock 18 years, to when a fresh-faced young forward from Pohang made the world take notice at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup.
Lee's impressive career, that keeps recording new milestones for goals and longevity, can be considered to have truly begun on the biggest stage at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup in Lebanon.
The prodigiously talented young forward had already shown his ability at the 1998 AFC U-19 Championship, where he was named Top Scorer and MVP, and had also helped Pohang Steelers win the 1997-1998 Asian Club Championship.
But it was in the AFC's most prestigious national team tournament that the then 21-year-old made his mark in.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As we edge ever closer to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in January, teams enter the final stages of their preparations with the latest run of matches this month.
Asian football fans will get the chance to take a glimpse at how their favourite teams are shaping up ahead of the big date in the UAE in January. With the bulk of the 24 sides contesting the continental title in action this month, we look at five exciting things to watch for during the coming international break.