Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With a number of veterans either retiring or left out by coach Moriyasu Hajime, 24-year-old Shoya Nakajima will be looking to impress as one of the stars of the next generation in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
He might be the shortest player in the Japan squad, but less than a year after making his senior debut, Nakajima has grown into one of the most influential players in the Samurai Blue setup as they seek a record-extending fifth AFC Asian Cup title.
Nationality: Japan Date of birth: 23/08/1994 Position: Midfielder Current club: Portimonense (Portugal) Previous clubs: Tokyo Verdy, FC Tokyo, Kataller Toyama (All Japan)
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Veteran playmaker Ala Al Sasi propelled Yemen to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in their history and the talismanic captain will be looking to lead by example in UAE 2019.
Against all odds, and with a difficult security situation at home, Yemen made it to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 relying largely on a crop of Qatar-based players. The most talented and experienced among them is Al Sailiya midfielder Al Sasi, who has over a decade of international experience behind him.
Nationality: Yemen
Date of birth: 02/07/1987
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Al Sailiya (Qatar)
Previous clubs: Al Ahli Sana’a, Al Hilal (Yemen), Al Minaa (Iraq)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam boast an exciting young crop of players that have excelled at youth levels in recent years, with gifted midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai arguably the biggest talent of the side heading to the United Arab Emirates.
The Southeast Asian nation had never previously qualified for the AFC Asian Cup, having appeared as co-hosts in 2007 (South Vietnam played in 1956 and 1960), but Quang Hai and his teammates have raised hopes that the current generation could go on to achieve something special.
Nationality: Vietnam
Date of birth: 12/04/1997
Position: Midfield
Current club: Hanoi FC (Vietnam)
Previous club: Saigon FC (Vietnam)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Having missed out on the previous two editions, Thailand's new generation led by Chanathip Songkrasin are aiming to make an impression in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
One of Thailand's most recognised names across the continent, Chanathip has impressed since his move to the J-League 18 months ago. The creative midfielder will be his country's main attacking outlet as they look to make an impression in January.
Nationality: Thailand Date of birth: 05/10/1993 Position: Midfielder Current club: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (Japan) Previous clubs: BEC Tero Sasana, Muangthong United (Both Thailand)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Vital Borkelmans is a positive guy who likes to emphasise over and over again that he is also a “happy coach”. Less than four months in the hot seat as coach of Jordan, the two-time Belgian World Cupper feels he has grown into the job and is brimming with confidence as he heads into his first AFC Asian Cup.
“Since I took over in September I have been trying a lot of things. My focus is on developing a system and so far I am very happy with the progress the team and I have made,” former Belgian international Borkelmans told the-AFC.com in an exclusive interview.
“The players have responded well to my methods. In fact, credit to them that they made my job of selecting the team very difficult!”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Australia forward Andrew Nabbout is relishing the opportunity to play free-flowing, attacking football under head coach Graham Arnold as the squad continue their preparations ahead of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Nabbout, currently playing in Japan for Urawa Red Diamonds, made a name for himself in the A-League with Melbourne Victory before really turning things on last season with the Newcastle Jets.
He believes Arnold has instilled a brand of football that utilises the pacy, attacking qualities of his teammates which includes the likes of himself, Robbie Kruse, Mat Leckie and Martin Boyle.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The last time the AFC Asian Cup was played in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia arrived in Abu Dhabi with their chances being written off.
A disappointing Gulf Cup performance saw head coach Ze Mario replaced with Nelo Vingada as expectations plummeted. Three weeks later, the trophy was heading back to Riyadh.
The mood was downbeat and the hopes low when Nelo Vingada led his team off the flight from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in the days leading up to start of the 11th edition of the AFC Asian Cup.