Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Palestine left-back Abdallah Jaber is confident his side can produce a strong showing at next month's AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, declaring the current squad the nation's best in living memory.
Palestine, ranked 99th, are returning to the Finals after conceding 11 goals in three successive defeats in their debut on the Asian stage in Australia in 2015, but the experienced side will surely present a more determined challenge this time around
Buoyed by strong showings against some of the Continent's heavyweights since 2015, Jaber believes anyone expecting his side to be pushovers in the United Arab Emirates is in for a shock.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/abdallah_jaber_-_afc_asian_cup_2019_qualifiers.html
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/abdallah_jaber_-_palestine.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/palestine_-_afc_asian_cup_2019_qualifiers.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: As Palestine return to the AFC Asian Cup for the second time in their history, they will be looking at Sameh Maraaba as the main man to add to their one goal in 2015.
Despite not being an out-and-out striker, Maraaba's tally of nine goals in 25 caps means he will be one of his country's primary attacking weapons as they look to improve on their sole AFC Asian Cup display four years ago when they lost all games and scored just one goal.
Nationality: Palestine Date of birth: 19/03/1992 Position: Midfielder Current club: Shabab Al Khalil (Palestine) Previous clubs: Islami Qalqiliya, Shabab Yatta, Shabab Al Khadar, Thaqafi Tulkarem, Ahli Al Khalil (All Palestine)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 success is the target for all 24 teams in next month's Finals, but Palestine head coach Noureddine Ould Ali believes his side has a greater motivation - bringing joy to the Palestinian people.
Ould Ali, now eight months into his tenure as head coach, will guide Palestine in their second appearance in the competition following their 2015 debut on the continental stage in Australia.
Speaking to the-AFC.com, the Algerian tactician revealed the desire of his players to provide happiness for Palestinians around the world with their performances in the United Arab Emirates.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup has showcased the Continent’s greatest players over the years, with many making their name in the competition. Next in our '10 of the Best' series, we feature talents who will arrive in the United Arab Emirates full of promise as they get set to make their tournament bow.
Four years ago in Australia, Massimo Luongo was the pick of the bunch as the Socceroo was voted the MVP, while a 20-year-old Sardar Azmoun was twice on the scoresheet for the Islamic Republic of Iran. As the 2019 edition rapidly approaches, here’s a list of 10 more youngsters to keep an eye out for.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: A year ago Bernd Stange was enjoying retirement, but in less than a month the 70-year-old will be at the helm of a talented Syrian side's push for a best-ever showing at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
In a wide-ranging interview with the-AFC.com, the globetrotting German boss discussed his return to football, his inside knowledge of Group B opponents Australia and the steely resolve of his playing group.
Stange has seen it all - and had seemingly seen enough when he decided to call time on his decorated career in July 2016 - but the veteran tactician simply couldn't shake his love affair with the game, coming out of retirement to lead Syria's campaign at UAE 2019.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Australia head coach Graham Arnold on Friday said he has not given up on injured Huddersfield star Aaron Mooy playing at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 despite the Premier League club announcing he will be out until February.
The Australian midfielder, who has been in fine form this season, suffered a tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the defeat at Arsenal last weekend.
This led to Huddersfield announcing on Wednesday he will be sidelined until February in a blow to the Socceroos who defend their AFC Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates in January.
Arnold said Mooy was such a significant player that he wanted a second opinion, with their own physiotherapist travelling to Huddersfield to review the situation.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: It has been a mixed 12 months for Syria’s Omar Khribin, from losing the 2017 AFC Champions League final, to winning the AFC Player of the Year Award a few days later, to coming within a whisker of reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His next challenge? The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Syria were very close to making the FIFA World Cup for the first time, but they fell in the Continental playoff, with Australia going on to become Asia's fifth representative in Russia 2018. A "golden generation" spearheaded by Khribin and his strike partner Omar Al Somah looks to make amends in UAE 2019.
Nationality: Syria
Date of birth: 15/01/1994
Position: Striker
Current club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Previous clubs: Al Wahda (Syria), Air Force Club, Al Mina’ (Iraq), Al Dhafra (UAE)