Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Islamic Republic of Iran ace Karim Ansarifard has his sights set on realising the dreams of a nation by winning the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 title.
After comfortably beating China PR in the quarter-finals, Iran now play Japan in the last four, a meeting which pits Carlos Queiroz’s charges against a side that has recorded five successive victories en route to Monday's match at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Although more than aware of the test that awaits Iran, the 28-year-old forward - who plays his club football in England with Nottingham Forest - is nevertheless intent on claiming what would be a fourth Continental crown for Team Melli.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/semi-final_ir_iran_v_japan.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/karim_ansarifard-iran-goal.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Ahead of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 semi-final between two unbeaten giants of Asia, the-AFC.com looks at the key facts and history surrounding the eagerly-anticipated clash.
No Taremi for Team Melli
The major team news ahead of the semi-final is the enforced absence of Mehdi Taremi, who will miss Monday's clash through suspension having collected a second yellow card against China PR.
While card trouble has cost them the Al Gharafa star, who has scored three goals in UAE 2019, the Iranians will welcome back Vahid Amiri, while Yoshinuri Muto returns from suspension for Japan.
Outstanding yellow cards were erased following the quarter-finals, meaning only a red card in Monday's match will result in a player missing the final.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Alireza Jahanbakhsh has set his sights on creating history after the Brighton & Hove Albion winger helped Islamic Republic of Iran advance to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in a generation.
The Iranians will take on Japan in their first semi-final appearance since 2004 as Team Melli continue their quest to secure a first AFC Asian Cup title since the last of the country’s three consecutive crowns was won back in 1976.
Goals from Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun and Karim Ansarifard saw off China PR in the quarter-finals on Thursday evening in Abu Dhabi, and Jahanbakhsh is confident he and his teammates can continue their impressive run.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Islamic Republic of Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz has been quick to dismiss the notion that his side are favourites to win the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 after Thursday’s impressive 3-0 win over China PR saw Team Melli book their place in the semi-finals.
Iran shone brightly throughout the victory, with goals from Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun and substitute Karim Ansarifard ultimately making the difference as Queiroz’s charges reached the last four of Asia’s premier event for the first time since 2004.
Despite their impressive form – Iran have now racked up four wins and five successive clean sheets – Queiroz remains adamant that the three-time champions of Asia are still not one of the tournament’s leading contenders ahead of next Monday’s semi-final showdown with Japan in Al Ain.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Japan midfielder Wataru Endo praised his side's resilience, after they made it five successive AFC Asian Cup wins with a 1-0 victory against Vietnam in the UAE 2019 quarter-finals on Thursday.
Ritsu Doan's 57th-minute penalty sealed the Samurai Blue's fifth win in a row by a singe-goal margin, securing a place in the final four for the fifth time in the last six editions of the competition.
Like Turkmenistan, Oman and Uzbekistan before them, Vietnam made Hajime Moriyasu's side work hard for the final result, but while a consummate Japanese performance has yet to materialise, Endo said he was pleased with their building momentum.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Hajime Moriyasu liked what he saw as Japan moved into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 semi-finals on Thursday.
Their place in the last four against Islamic Republic of Iran was sealed with a 1-0 win over plucky Vietnam and the Japan head coach said the performance against feisty opposition was proof that the Samurai Blue are growing stronger with each passing match.
Japan dominated the tie at the Al Maktoum Stadium and shrugged off being denied a goal in the first half by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review to advance.
Ironically, it was a VAR review that led to Japan’s goal, as they were awarded a penalty after Ritsu Doan had been brought down in the box. The midfielder then stepped up to convert.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi says familiarity and stability within his side's playing and coaching ranks is a positive factor in their surge to a first ever AFC Asian Cup semi-final.
The West Asians earned a slice history on Friday, defeating two-time winners and 2015 runners-up Korea Republic thanks to Abdelaziz's Hatim's 78th-minute screamer at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
The achievement is the latest for a side packed with young talents to have blossomed under the tutelage of head coach Felix Sanchez, who also coached 11 players from the current squad at last year's AFC U-23 Championship
The Qatari starting line-up also featured no less than seven players from the Al Sadd club, including Khoukhi, who believes those examples of continuity are aiding the team's cause.