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.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/khalfan_mubarak-al_jazira-afp.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran will be based in Doha, Qatar for their final phase of training for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The Iran squad, led by head coach Carlos Queiroz, will be based at the Aspire Academy in Doha on December 10-January 2.
Three-time AFC Asian Cup winners Iran are seeking a first title since 1976, having not advanced past the quarter-final stage for the last three editions of the Continental showpiece.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Bahrain national team head coach Miroslav Soukup has included Kuwait-based Sayed Dhiya Saeed and Sayed Mahdi Baqer in the 26-strong squad for international friendly matches against Kuwait and Oman.
The friendlies are part of Bahrain's preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, where the West Asians will have the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and india for company in Group A.
Saeed and Baqer play for Al Nasr in Kuwait. The rest of the squad consists players who feature domestically.
Bahrain, whose best finish in the AFC Asian Cup was emerging fourth in the 2004 edition, will be making their sixth appearance in the Continental showpiece.
They will be seeking to better their 2015 showing, having exited the tournament at the group stage. Soukup's team will take on hosts UAE in the opening match on January 5.
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.
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
Sydney: Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold named a 23-player squad for Australia’s international friendly against Korea Republic at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 17, and explained that he will name a second list of 23 players, for his team’s clash with Lebanon at the ANZ Stadium.
In total, 27 players will convene in Brisbane from Monday onward, with Arnold having rewarded the strong A-League form of Thomas Deng (Melbourne Victory), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), and Dimitri Petratos (Newcastle Jets) with places as train-on players for the November window as he continues to cast his eyes over as many players as possible ahead of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
The second 23-player list for the Socceroos’ international friendly against Lebanon will include Jamshedpur FC attacker Tim Cahill, who will make his 108th and final appearance for Australia in a farewell match against the Cedars at the ANZ Stadium on November 20.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Midfielder Jung Woo-young has been released from the Korea Republic squad for the international friendlies against Australia and Uzbekistan after suffering an ankle injury.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Asan Mugunghwa midfielder Ju Se-jong will replace Jung for the matches in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Jung, who has two goals in 37 appearances for the Taeguk Warriors, has been one of the core central midfielders for Korea Republic since Paulo Bento took the helm as head coach in August.
The 28-year-old, who is with Qatari side Al Sadd, has featured in the last four friendly matches under Bento.