Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Few players have had as big an impact on their teams qualification to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as Anton Zemlianukhin had in taking Kyrgyz Republic to their continental debut.
The 30-year-old shined the brightest for Kyrgyz Republic in their road to the AFC Asian Cup, bagging 10 of his country's 14 goals in the qualifiers as they pipped Myanmar and Macau to qualify from Group A alongside India.
Nationality: Kyrgyz Republic
Date of birth: 11/12/1988
Position: Forward
Current club: Atyrau (Kazakhstan)
Previous clubs: Abdish-Ata Kant (Kyrgyz Republic), Taraz, Aktobe, Kairat, Kaisar (Kazakhstan), Giresunspor (Turkey), Radnički Niš (Serbia), Sisaket, Sukhothai (Thailand), Ska Khabarovsk (Russia)
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/zemlianukhin_v_myanmar.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/kyrgyz_republic_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Super sub Tursunali Rustamov’s 86th minute goal steered Kyrgyz Republic to a 1-0 win over Jordan in a friendly match at the Qatar SC Stadium on Thursday.
After suffering a 4-0 loss to Japan last month, the win against Jordan serves as a major confidence boost to the Central Asians as they march towards their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group C campaign against China PR, Korea Republic and the Philippines.
Jordan, who are in Group B with defending champions Australia, Palestine and Syria, will have to raise the bar before they begin their fourth appearance in the Continental showpiece.
Both sides have two more friendly matches lined up before the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 kicks off.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Aleksander Krestinin is confident Kyrgyz Republic will be ready for Marcello Lippi's China PR when the pair face off in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opener in Al Ain on January 7.
The Central Asians will be making their first-ever appearance at the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates and China PR will be their first opponents in Group C, with Krestinin confident he can take his team into the last 16 on their debut.
While FIFA World Cup winner Lippi leads a squad who regularly play and train alongside some of the finest talent in the sport, Krestinin believes the number of foreign players in Chinese football may not necessarily be an advantage for the Italian coach’s team.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bacolod: Philippines playmaker Stephan Schrock cannot wait for the Azkals' AFC Asian Cup debut with the continental tournament set to be a career highlight for the Ceres Negros star.
In his career so far, Schrock, 32, has played a part in several historic milestones for Filipino football.
From lining up in the Philippines side that achieved the 'Miracle of Hanoi' to secure a maiden AFF Cup semi-final place in 2010, to turning club side Ceres Negros into a force to be reckoned with in continental club football - winning the inaugural AFC Cup ASEAN Zone in 2017 and then defeating Brisbane Roar in Australia in the 2018 AFC Champions League play-offs.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Ehsan Hajsafi believes a hungry Islamic Republic of Iran will end their title drought at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Iran’s solid tactical performance was on full display at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia as they come within inches of advancing into the Round of 16 for the first time.
Team Melli had a dream start against Morocco when they picked up their first win in the FIFA World Cup since a 3-1 victory over the United States in 1998.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ulsan: Korea Republic unveiled their 23-man squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on Thursday, with head coach Paulo Bento deciding to stick with core players who have led the national team's undefeated run.
Two-time champions Korea Republic, seeking to end their wait since 1960, are in Group C with China, Kyrgyz Republic and the Philippines at the 24-team Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1.
Bento has been undefeated with Korea Republic since he took the helm in August, collecting three wins and three draws. Players who showed impressive performances in that unbeaten streak mostly made the roster.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran ended their 2018 season as Asia's best, following the latest FIFA Rankings released on Thursday.
Team Melli retained their position in 29th spot, with Australia, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia's positions also unchanged at 29th, 41st, 50th, 53rd, and 69th respectively to complete Asia's top five.
All five teams will convene in the United Arab Emirates, where they will be joined by 19 other nations - including hosts UAE - for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Preparations for all teams have gathered pace with a series of friendly matches taking place over the next two weeks, before the Continental showpiece kicks off on January 5.