https://www.scmp.com/rss/330023/feed The 2019 AFC Asian Cup will be the 17th edition of the quadrennial international men's football championship of Asia organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It will be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1, 2019. It will be the second time that the UAE has hosted the tournament after the 1996 finals. For the first time, the Asian Cup will be contested by 24 teams, having been expanded from the 16-team format that was used from 2004 to 2015. The finalists will... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023 is set to be “the biggest and most watched AFC Asian Cup in history”, according to Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John. Speaking to Chinese media on Friday, John praised the preparations for the tournament, which includes the building of several football specific stadiums. “Such cooperation early in the planning for what will be the biggest and most watched AFC Asian Cup in history has been invaluable and we thank the LOC as well as the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3117054/china-2023-set-be-biggest-and-most-watched-afc-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3117054/china-2023-set-be-biggest-and-most-watched-afc-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Jan 2021 08:30:05 +0000 Footballers putting their feet in their mouths is nothing new. Perhaps not as old as the game itself, either in England’s public schools or in Ancient China but no surprise. There is one area that footballers tend to distance themselves from, though – publicly criticising teammates. Behind closed doors, sure, and such feedback has been cited as vital to title-winning teams, but not in public. Even the walking ego that is Cristiano Ronaldo backtracked when it seemed he had publicly called out his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3083091/kim-min-jae-outrage-shows-chinese-footballs-thin-skin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3083091/kim-min-jae-outrage-shows-chinese-footballs-thin-skin?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2020 05:04:18 +0000 Nations considering bids to host the 2027 Asian Cup have been given an extra three months to lodge expressions of interest due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Thursday. The AFC had hoped to announce the tournament hosts as soon as possible to give them more time to prepare for the quadrennial continental championship, which was expanded to 24 teams for the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, however, the AFC... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3078060/afc-announces-potential-bidders-2027-asian-cup-get-more-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3078060/afc-announces-potential-bidders-2027-asian-cup-get-more-time?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2020 03:26:34 +0000 The AFC Under-23 Championship kicks off in Thailand on Wednesday and those with dreams of making the men’s football tournament at Tokyo 2020 will still want to be in Konghla come January 22. That’s the date of the semi-finals and presuming that Japan are still there – Hajime Moriyasu’s side impressed in last month’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship so there is no reason not to – then the other three teams in the final four will be joining them in Tokyo in the summer. That is the plan for some and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3045033/tokyo-2020-football-dream-china-afc-under-23-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3045033/tokyo-2020-football-dream-china-afc-under-23-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jan 2020 02:00:13 +0000 Newly crowned 2019 AFC women's player of the year Saki Kumagai is likely to require a trophy cabinet-extension if she continues to revolutionise Asian women's football in the way she has. The 29-year-old defender is a Fifa World Cup winner, Asian Cup champion and Olympic silver medallist with Japan; four-time Uefa Champions League winner and six-time league champion with Olympique Lyonnais; and was nominated for this year's BBC women's footballer of the year award – losing out to Lyon roommate... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3040604/afc-star-saki-kumagai-has-brought-world-cup-and-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3040604/afc-star-saki-kumagai-has-brought-world-cup-and-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:35:19 +0000 Chinese football star Li Ying is one of the front-runners for this year’s coveted AFC Women’s Player of the Year award after an outstanding season for club and country. If victorious at the 2019 AFC Annual Awards, to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on December 2, the 26-year-old striker would join the elite company of 2018 winner and former PSG star Wang Shuang, of China, and 2017 winner and new Chelsea signing Sam Kerr, of Australia. Fellow category... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3039718/can-these-chinese-womens-footballers-make-clean-sweep-2019-afc-annual?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3039718/can-these-chinese-womens-footballers-make-clean-sweep-2019-afc-annual?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:00:13 +0000 It might be hard but it is important to remember that Gianni Infantino is not a supervillain. The Fifa president was not created by James Bond scriptwriters even if he has several of the characteristics – bald head, Swiss retreat, trips to North Korea – that they cherish in their antagonists. Infantino was in Pyongyang to watch North Korea host South Korea on Tuesday afternoon as part of his East Asia tour. Few others were as the biggest game in a generation, described as the “centre of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3033518/gianni-infantinos-north-korea-trip-shows-fifa-would-rather-sit-fence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3033518/gianni-infantinos-north-korea-trip-shows-fifa-would-rather-sit-fence?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Oct 2019 03:30:55 +0000 Hong Kong return home for their second Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifier and, after a disappointing 1-1 draw away against Cambodia, they host Asia’s top ranked team, Iran. While Tuesday’s game already has a make-or-break feel to it for Hong Kong in their effort to make it through to a first World Cup finals and qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the same is not true for the opposition. The heavy favourites to top the group will play their first game in this qualifying campaign when they visit Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3026311/hong-kong-vs-iran-fifa-2022-world-cup-qualifier-team-mellis-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3026311/hong-kong-vs-iran-fifa-2022-world-cup-qualifier-team-mellis-first?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Sep 2019 07:00:13 +0000 British football fan Ali Issa Ahmad has filed a complaint with Fifa through his lawyers regarding his alleged treatment at the AFC Asian Cup in the UAE in January. The 26-year-old Sudanese-British dual national from Wolverhampton was wearing a T-shirt with the Qatar flag on it at the Qatar vs Iraq Asian Cup game on January 22. Following the game, he claims, he was accosted by a group of men claiming to be police officers and the T-shirt was ripped off him. He said he was also racially abused. He... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3018290/asian-cup-2019-british-fan-appeals-fifa-claiming-torture-uae-police?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3018290/asian-cup-2019-british-fan-appeals-fifa-claiming-torture-uae-police?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Jul 2019 03:42:52 +0000 A dusty suburb on the outskirts of a city in the Gulf region would seem to be an unlikely epicentre for some of the world’s most compelling current sporting, geopolitical and industrial issues. Yet Al Sadd in Doha is just that: one of the Qatari capital’s oldest districts and a pleasant place to live according to local residents, it has rapidly become a vital node in a network of power and influence that extends way beyond the streets of Qatar’s biggest city. Driving past Al Sadd en route to the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2186156/qatar-scores-more-its-sports-goal-asian-cup-win-victory-gulf-states?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2186156/qatar-scores-more-its-sports-goal-asian-cup-win-victory-gulf-states?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Feb 2019 00:00:30 +0000 Qatar stunned Japan 3-1 to win its first Asian Cup on Friday sparked by a moment of magic from record-breaker Almoez Ali and after nail-biting late drama. The Sudan-born striker Ali scored with an acrobatic bicycle kick after just 12 minutes before Abdelaziz Hatim curled in a superb second and Akram Afif converted a VAR-assisted penalty to give the 2022 World Cup hosts a famous victory in Abu Dhabi. Qatar survived a scare at 2-0 when Takumi Minamino pulled one back on 69 minutes, only for Uzbek... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184759/asian-cup-qatar-stun-japan-3-1-final-world-cup-2022-hosts-lift?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184759/asian-cup-qatar-stun-japan-3-1-final-world-cup-2022-hosts-lift?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Feb 2019 16:15:08 +0000 After almost a month of football between 24 nations, the tournament is down to the final two teams and one last match until someone is crowned winner of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. Whoever lifts the trophy will make history and not just because they will be the first to win the new larger cup made for this expanded edition of the tournament. Qatar can win their first Asian Cup, while Japan would put distance between themselves and Saudi Arabia and Iran on three titles each by winning a fifth. Japan... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184636/asian-cup-final-japan-vs-qatar-odds-schedule-preview-predictions-tv?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184636/asian-cup-final-japan-vs-qatar-odds-schedule-preview-predictions-tv?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Feb 2019 06:23:56 +0000 Qatar punished unwelcoming hosts United Arab Emirates 4-0 in a politically charged clash marred by disgraceful behaviour from shoe-throwing fans on Tuesday to reach their first Asian Cup final. The Qataris, whose national anthem was drowned out by boos before the game, face Japan in Friday’s final after goals from Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali, Hasan Al-Haydos and Hamid Ismaeil sealed victory for the 2022 World Cup hosts in Abu Dhabi. Emirati fans throw shoes at the Qatari team after Qatar’s Ali... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184193/asian-cup-uae-fans-pelt-qatar-players-shoes-hosts-are-thrashed-4-0?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184193/asian-cup-uae-fans-pelt-qatar-players-shoes-hosts-are-thrashed-4-0?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jan 2019 02:24:00 +0000 Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez was ridiculed for his pre-tournament predictions ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 but it seems he might have the last laugh. The World Cup winner, who has played with Al Sadd in Qatar since leaving the Camp Nou in 2015, predicted Qatar would lift the trophy by beating Japan in the final. Japan defied the odds to beat tournament favourites Iran 3-0 in the first semi-final and book their place in Friday’s showpiece. توقعات تشافي صحيحة لحد الحين... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184041/asian-cup-xavi-predictions-give-qatar-fans-hope-barcelona-legend-gets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184041/asian-cup-xavi-predictions-give-qatar-fans-hope-barcelona-legend-gets?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jan 2019 03:48:05 +0000 Japan cashed in on a defensive mix-up and a controversial penalty as they stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the Asian Cup semi-finals to move one win away from their fifth title on Monday. Yuya Osako put Japan 1-0 up after half-time when the Iranian defence fatally stopped to remonstrate with the referee, and then stroked home the penalty awarded after a replay for Morteza Pouraliganji’s accidental hand ball. Genki Haraguchi scored in stoppage time to complete a rout which had been wholly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184026/asian-cup-japan-stun-iran-semi-final-carlos-queiroz-steps-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2184026/asian-cup-japan-stun-iran-semi-final-carlos-queiroz-steps-down?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jan 2019 02:26:18 +0000 The remaining spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 final is up for grabs on Tuesday night when the hosts take on neighbours Qatar in Abu Dhabi. It is an unexpected pairing, even more so considering the teams they beat in the quarter-finals: holders Australia and favourites South Korea. But here they are and a chance for a historic final – Qatar have never been this far and the UAE only once when they reached the final in the 1996 tournament when they were hosts. Waiting for the winner in the final is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183917/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-odds-preview-prediction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183917/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-odds-preview-prediction?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:05:07 +0000 The business end of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 is upon us and the pressure will be as high as the temperature when Japan and Iran take to the pitch of the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Monday. On the line is a place in Friday’s final and with it the tag of favourites to lift the trophy. Get through this and only the hosts or Qatar stand in the way of being the first team to lift an all-new Asian Cup commissioned for this expanded edition of the tournament. Sides to have gone through their opening 5⃣... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183865/asian-cup-odds-preview-prediction-schedule-where-watch-japan-v-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183865/asian-cup-odds-preview-prediction-schedule-where-watch-japan-v-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Jan 2019 01:11:49 +0000 The aftermath of China’s national team losing to Iran in the AFC Asian Cup continues to be felt. According to the latest reports, Guangzhou Evergrande defender Feng Xioating has been dropped to the Chinese Super League club’s reserve side after being blamed for the mistake that led to Iran’s Mehdi Taremi opening the scoring in their 3-0 win. The defender, who played more than 70 times for his country and in 26 of his club’s 30 league matches last season, was beaten by Iran forward Sardar Azmoun... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2183806/asian-cup-chinas-feng-xiaoting-dropped-guangzhou-evergrande-reserves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2183806/asian-cup-chinas-feng-xiaoting-dropped-guangzhou-evergrande-reserves?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Jan 2019 07:21:03 +0000 Iran and Japan booked their places in the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals on Thursday and we will find out who joins them in the other semi in the UAE on Friday. The hosts are in the mix along with holders Australia, surprise package Qatar and favourites South Korea. It is Son Heung-min’s side who are up first where they face Qatar and tournament top scorer Almoez Ali. The 2022 World Cup hosts have brushed off the regional politics surrounding the tournament and have impressed in the UAE. Both sides... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183621/asian-cup-quarter-final-fixtures-preview-odds-predictions-head-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183621/asian-cup-quarter-final-fixtures-preview-odds-predictions-head-head?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jan 2019 05:29:10 +0000 China’s AFC Asian Cup 2019 adventure ended in tears and finger pointing on Thursday night with a 3-0 loss to Iran in Dubai. China’s fans in the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium were seen crying after the loss, as was long-term leader Zheng Zhi. The 38-year-old was misty-eyed during his post-match interview in what might be his final game for his country. Along with manager Marcello Lippi, it might also be the end of the line for most of the squad – the oldest ever taken to an Asian Cup. There were 17... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183586/asian-cup-china-adventure-ends-tears-fans-marcello-lippi-fires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183586/asian-cup-china-adventure-ends-tears-fans-marcello-lippi-fires?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jan 2019 03:15:13 +0000 The AFC Asian Cup is down to eight teams from 24 but it’s not all familiar faces in the quarter-finals in the UAE. Vietnam are making only their second appearance at this stage but Asian Cup royalty stand in the way of a first semi-final. Japan are no strangers to the last eight – the four-time record winners of the continental crown have played at every quarter-final since it was introduced in the 1996 edition. The Golden Dragons against the Samurai Blue takes place at Dubai’s Al Maktoum... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183439/asian-cup-quarter-finals-fixtures-preview-odds-predictions-head-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183439/asian-cup-quarter-finals-fixtures-preview-odds-predictions-head-head?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:13:31 +0000 Japan, Australia and the UAE joined China, Iran and Vietnam after another night of penalties deciding round of 16 games at the AFC Asian Cup. Will we need a shoot-out to decide the remaining two spots left to complete the quarter-final line-up? Those two teams will come from South Korea, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq and their fate will be decided on Tuesday. It’s the favourites South Korea that are in action first, taking on a Bahrain side that are making only their second appearance at this stage... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183113/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-odds-schedule-and-predictions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183113/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-odds-schedule-and-predictions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jan 2019 03:58:38 +0000 Hosts United Arab Emirates ended Kyrgyzstan’s fairy tale with a controversial extra-time penalty to reach the Asian Cup quarter-finals on Monday as holders Australia and Japan also advanced. A knee-wobbling, chest-thumping Mathew Ryan saved two spot kicks as the Socceroos beat Uzbekistan’s White Wolves in a shoot-out, while the Blue Samurai bundled out Saudi Arabia. Substitute Ahmed Khalil was UAE’s hero on an angst-ridden Abu Dhabi night as he converted another late penalty after a refereeing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183086/asian-cup-late-penalty-rescues-uae-again-mathew-ryan-saves-australia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2183086/asian-cup-late-penalty-rescues-uae-again-mathew-ryan-saves-australia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jan 2019 02:00:28 +0000 Marcello Lippi said China need to learn how to focus for an entire game ahead of their crunch Asian Cup quarter-final with Iran, the biggest – and possibly last – game of his tenure. The Italian World Cup-winning coach hailed his players after they overcame Thailand 2-1 to reach the last-eight, saying they had proved they were among the best in Asia. But Lippi, 70, said China still had a habit of drifting in and out of games after another Jekyll-and-Hyde performance in which they trailed 1-0... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182992/asian-cup-marcello-lippi-says-china-need-more-focus-ahead-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182992/asian-cup-marcello-lippi-says-china-need-more-focus-ahead-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jan 2019 00:00:56 +0000 Wolverhampton Wanderers unexpectedly led the congratulations to China’s victory over Thailand at the AFC Asian Cup on Sunday night. The Chinese-owned English Premier League club posted from their official account on football app Dongqiudi, the Chinese-language equivalent of All Football. Wolves congratulated the Chinese national team for victory before pointing out that they won a China-Thailand game the day before. Fosun-owned Wolves beat King Power-owned Leicester City at Molineux Stadium on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182968/wolves-lead-tributes-china-asian-cup-comeback-win-over-thailand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182968/wolves-lead-tributes-china-asian-cup-comeback-win-over-thailand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Jan 2019 07:47:34 +0000 Vietnam, China and Iran are all through to the Asian Cup quarter-finals and three more nations will join them by the end of Monday’s matches. First up is the game between Japan and Saudi Arabia in Sharjah. The afternoon tie sees the meeting of four-time winners Japan against the three-time champion Saudis, and both are considered among the favourites in the UAE. Japan are the third favourites with the bookmakers at $4 behind South Korea and Iran. Saudi Arabia ($13) are fifth after holders... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182959/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-odds-schedule-predictions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182959/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-odds-schedule-predictions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Jan 2019 07:26:58 +0000 The business end of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 begins on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates. Three games kick off the round of 16 action, including an appearance for tournament favourites Iran. It is the surprise package of the group stage that start us off. Jordan, the first team to make it through to the knockout stage, take on Vietnam in Dubai’s Al Maktoum Stadium for a quarter-final match against Japan or Saudi Arabia. Yasen Bakheet has been one of the key men in Jordan’s unexpected rise and the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182896/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-round-16-schedule-fixtures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182896/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-round-16-schedule-fixtures?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Jan 2019 07:53:28 +0000 Tsukasa Shiotani’s sizzling winner kept Japan on top of their Asian Cup group on Thursday, while Oman scrambled into the knockouts in a pulsating finish to the tournament’s first stage. In Abu Dhabi, Almoez Ali took his tally to seven goals in just three games as Qatar beat political rivals Saudi Arabia 2-0, but Lebanon heartbreakingly failed to progress despite their 4-1 win over North Korea. With the Asian Cup featuring a record 24 teams, the 36-game group stage finished with holders Australia... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182623/asian-cup-tsukasa-shiotani-fires-japan-past-uzbekistan-qatars-almoez?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182623/asian-cup-tsukasa-shiotani-fires-japan-past-uzbekistan-qatars-almoez?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Jan 2019 02:44:12 +0000 Last night Asia’s biggest football tournament, its equivalent of the European Championships or the Copa America, was not the biggest deal in the region. This was despite the arrival of the continent’s best player, Son Heung-min, and his South Korea side taking on China for East Asian supremacy in group C, or the scenario where either one of the tournament new boys facing each other in the group’s other game, Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines, could make history and go through to the knockout... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182509/juventus-and-ac-milan-saudi-arabia-supercoppa-overshadows-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182509/juventus-and-ac-milan-saudi-arabia-supercoppa-overshadows-asian-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jan 2019 07:40:16 +0000 Chinese football fans responded with their typical gallows humour to the nation’s latest defeat on the international stage. Marcello Lippi’s side lost 2-0 to South Korea in their AFC Asian Cup group C meeting, with the winner taking top spot and arguably the easier side of the draw. China, who would have topped the group on goal difference in the case of a draw, can now expect to meet Iran, Asia’s strongest team, in the quarter-finals. South Korea are on the same side of the draw as Saudi... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182502/chinese-fans-blame-manchester-united-their-loss-son-heung-mins-south?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182502/chinese-fans-blame-manchester-united-their-loss-son-heung-mins-south?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jan 2019 07:00:00 +0000 An effervescent Son Heung-min inspired title-chasing South Korea to a comfortable 2-0 victory over China on Wednesday to finish top of their Asian Cup group. Iran, joint favourites with the Koreans, also advanced as group winners despite being held to a goalless draw by bitter rivals Iraq, while Kyrgyzstan squeaked through on their tournament debut. Hwang Ui-jo and Kim Min-jae were on target as South Korea, boosted by the arrival of their talisman, ran China ragged in Abu Dhabi. Son won the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182460/asian-cup-2019-proud-son-heung-min-sparks-south-korea-easy-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182460/asian-cup-2019-proud-son-heung-min-sparks-south-korea-easy-win-over?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:11:37 +0000 The final four games of the group stage at the Asian Cup in the UAE will decide who make the round of 16 and confirm the fixtures for the knockout stage. Group F kicks off Thursday’s action and as we have come to expect over recent days it is a case of the top two playing one another for bragging rights and a potentially easier round of 16 tie. Japan meet Uzbekistan to decide top spot and the Blue Samurai are considered the favourites to win the game. The bookmakers have them at $1.66 compared... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182449/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-fixtures-odds-final-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182449/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-fixtures-odds-final-group?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jan 2019 02:07:11 +0000 When it comes to Chinese football the problem is striking. Head coach Marcello Lippi said as much ahead of their Asian Cup game against the Philippines. He was worried that Wu Lei, last season’s Chinese Super League top scorer, might not play because of a shoulder injury. In the end the Shanghai SIPG forward played anyway, scoring twice and securing China’s passage through to the round of 16. Images of his collarbone and the X-ray of the injury that have circulated since look like he did well to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182331/asian-cup-marcello-lippi-right-chinese-footballs-problems-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182331/asian-cup-marcello-lippi-right-chinese-footballs-problems-are?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Jan 2019 06:36:46 +0000 The picture is becoming clearer as to which teams are still in with a shout to lift the new-look Asian Cup on February 1, but there is still plenty to play for on Wednesday night in the UAE. China and South Korea meet to see who will top group C, and Son Heung-min has joined up with his teammates after setting off after Spurs lost to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday. The Asian Footballer of the Year should feature but China’s own superstar Wu Lei will not. The Shanghai SIPG forward played... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182267/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-wednesday-odds-schedule-son-heung?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182267/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-wednesday-odds-schedule-son-heung?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Jan 2019 02:29:49 +0000 There have been many voices of dissent around this expanded AFC Asian Cup bemoaning the added teams and predictable results. That is both short-sighted and wrong. Asia needs this expansion to allow 24 of the 47 AFC members a chance to play tournament football. The new teams have given a good account of themselves too. Monday saw the start of the final group games and the first chance for a third-placed team to enter the knockout stages. Among the first of those were India, a team unlikely to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182169/asian-cup-expansion-has-worked-even-indias-dramatic-defeat-breaking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182169/asian-cup-expansion-has-worked-even-indias-dramatic-defeat-breaking?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:04:48 +0000 There are 11 teams qualified for the round of 16 at the AFC Asian Cup and two more will join them tonight when group B climaxes in the UAE. Holders Australia take on Syria at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, while Palestine and Jordan meet at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Jordan have already won the group and Australia only need a draw to ensure they remain in the hunt to retain their title as Asia’s best. Syria winning will take them through as runners-up but Australia... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182101/afc-asian-cup-tuesdays-schedule-fixtures-odds-and-predictions-holders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2182101/afc-asian-cup-tuesdays-schedule-fixtures-odds-and-predictions-holders?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Jan 2019 04:25:42 +0000 The business end of the AFC Asian Cup is upon us with the first set of final group stage fixtures. Group A kicks us off with none of the qualifiers for the round of 16 decided as we enter the last match. Hosts UAE sit top of the group with four points but India, who shocked Thailand in their opener, and Thailand have a win each. Bahrain are bottom but have a point so their Asian Cup adventure is not yet over. Both of the top two will go through but they could be joined by whoever finishes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181960/afc-asian-cup-mondays-schedule-fixtures-odds-and-predictions-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181960/afc-asian-cup-mondays-schedule-fixtures-odds-and-predictions-group?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jan 2019 06:06:37 +0000 Sunday brings the final round of games for matchday two at the AFC Asian Cup from the United Arab Emirates. That means a chance for Japan, Uzbekistan and Qatar to make sure of their progress through to the round of 16 with another win while other nations look to bounce back from opening game struggles. North Korea were beaten 4-0 by Saudi Arabia and will need to ring the changes after having a man sent off in the drubbing. A loss to Qatar would severely dent Korean hopes of going through and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181869/afc-asian-cup-sundays-schedule-fixtures-odds-and-predictions-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181869/afc-asian-cup-sundays-schedule-fixtures-odds-and-predictions-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jan 2019 07:58:51 +0000 Saturday’s AFC Asian Cup games could see three teams make the knockout stages with a second win but nothing is certain in a tournament that has thrown up plenty of shocks. Vietnam will be hoping to spring one of their own on an Iran side considered to be the front runners to lift the trophy. The Southeast Asians lost 3-2 to Iraq in their opener and getting a result against the best team on the continent is an even more difficult task. Vietnam are $17 for the win with Iran at just $1.21 and a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181794/asian-cup-2019-saturdays-schedule-fixtures-odds-predictions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181794/asian-cup-2019-saturdays-schedule-fixtures-odds-predictions?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jan 2019 03:01:19 +0000 Star striker Wu Lei fired a brilliant double as China beat the Philippines 3-0 on Friday to virtually assure their place in the last 16 of the Asian Cup. Marcello Lippi emerged victorious against old foe Sven-Goran Eriksson in a heavyweight coaching clash despite spirited early resistance from the Filipino Azkals (Street Dogs) in Abu Dhabi. China, runners-up in 1984 and 2004, improved to six points from two games in group C after beating Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in their opening game. They should have led... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181776/afc-asian-cup-philippines-0-3-china-wu-lei-double-fires-marcello?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181776/afc-asian-cup-philippines-0-3-china-wu-lei-double-fires-marcello?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jan 2019 15:45:09 +0000 Another big day of football at the AFC Asian Cup with the first Friday of the tournament meaning that crowds should increase in the UAE as fans enjoy a day off. They will be sure to cheer on Palestine when they take on holders Australia in Dubai in the early kick off. The Socceroos lost to surprise package Jordan in their opening game and Graham Arnold’s side can ill afford another slip up. Palestine took a point from Syria and played the last 20 minutes of that tie with 10 men so they could... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181653/asian-cup-2019-friday-fixtures-schedule-odds-predictions-china-meet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181653/asian-cup-2019-friday-fixtures-schedule-odds-predictions-china-meet?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jan 2019 05:15:30 +0000 Thursday sees the second round of AFC Asian Cup group games kick off and a chance for teams to stake their claim on a place in the round of 16. Bahrain and Thailand, who play in the opening match this evening, will be looking for the three points. In their first match, Thailand were humbled by India in a shock 4-1 loss that led to the sacking of manager Milovan Rajevac. That was not in the script for the Southeast Asian side and they will need to bounce back if they are to qualify. Top active... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181469/asian-cup-2019-thursday-odds-fixtures-schedule-predictions-jordan-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181469/asian-cup-2019-thursday-odds-fixtures-schedule-predictions-jordan-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Jan 2019 03:27:54 +0000 This Asian Cup is going down as one of the best ever with shocks and goalfests dished out in equal measure. Japan might well wonder which one they will be part of as they begin their quest for a fifth continental crown against Turkmenistan in Abu Dhabi. The Blue Samurai are among the favourites for the tournament, priced just behind South Korea and Iran. Japan get down to work in training in a bid to win their fifth AFC Asian Cup title! #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/JLImaqT8jn — #AsianCup2019... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181333/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-japan-kick-bid-fifth-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181333/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-today-japan-kick-bid-fifth-title?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jan 2019 06:02:50 +0000 Team China came under fire from mainland supporters and media after their lacklustre 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their Asian Cup opening game in United Arab Emirates. Although the result will still see them through to the knockout round of 16 if they can beat the Philippines in their next group C match on Friday, their performance was less-than-convincing with Asian powerhouses South Korea in the same group. The Koreans also needed a second-half goal before scraping past the Philippines 1-0... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2181195/afc-asian-cup-china-under-fire-after-narrow-win-over-kyrgyzstan-opening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2181195/afc-asian-cup-china-under-fire-after-narrow-win-over-kyrgyzstan-opening?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jan 2019 11:01:40 +0000 China’s manager Marcello Lippi questioned the attitude of his team after they came from behind to scrape a 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan thanks to an own goal and Yu Dabao’s late strike in their AFC Asian Cup opener on Monday. Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Pavel Matiash pushed the ball into his own net five minutes into the second half to cancel out Akhlidin Israilov’s first-half opener before Yu secured the points for China with a calm finish 12 minutes from time. With South Korea winning 1-0 against a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2181138/afc-asian-cup-chinas-marcello-lippi-unhappy-they-scrape-opening-group?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/2181138/afc-asian-cup-chinas-marcello-lippi-unhappy-they-scrape-opening-group?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jan 2019 04:59:31 +0000 The Asian Cup slows down on Tuesday when there are only two games but the quality does not diminish. Iraq and Vietnam meet at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi in the earlier kick-off. The group D opener sees recent winners of the AFF Suzuki Cup Vietnam make only their second appearance at the Asian Cup. Their previous entrance was in 2007 when they went out through from the groups but lost at the quarter-final stage to Iraq. That was the same year that the Iraqis shocked the continent to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181125/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-tuesday-iraq-vs-vietnam-and-north?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181125/what-asian-cup-games-can-i-watch-tuesday-iraq-vs-vietnam-and-north?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Jan 2019 04:14:17 +0000 The Philippines, as a nation, was built on “half-breeds” and hopefully their football team can make the most of mixed-blood and “pure” talent to one day become an Asian power, says one local official. On Monday, the Azkals made their AFC Asian Cup debut by stretching regional powers South Korea before losing 1-0 in the United Arab Emirates – a huge achievement by a team of largely overseas-based players with most them of mixed blood. “It is a chicken-egg situation,” said Filipino Miguel David, a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181099/afc-asian-cup-half-breed-pilipinas-players-symbolise-what-it-means-be?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181099/afc-asian-cup-half-breed-pilipinas-players-symbolise-what-it-means-be?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jan 2019 23:39:54 +0000 Mehdi Taremi scored twice as Iran crushed Yemen 5-0 in the war-torn country’s Asian Cup debut on Monday to send a message to their title rivals. Looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian soccer’s most coveted prize, Iran ruthlessly dispatched the group D minnows in Abu Dhabi. Joint favourites with South Korea, Iran took just 12 minutes to take the lead as Taremi finished clinically from close range after a shot from Sardar Azmoun was fumbled by Yemen keeper Saud... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181088/iran-put-five-past-debutants-yemen-live-asian-cup-favourites-tag-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181088/iran-put-five-past-debutants-yemen-live-asian-cup-favourites-tag-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jan 2019 18:33:47 +0000 Prolific goal scorer Hwang Ui-jo snatched a second-half winner as South Korea beat Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Philippines 1-0 at the Asian Cup on Monday. The Koreans, looking to end 59 years of hurt after failing to win the title since 1960, soaked up considerable pressure in their opening group C match before Hwang broke the deadlock after 67 minutes in the United Arab Emirates. The Japan-based striker swivelled and smashed home from close range in Dubai to settle his side’s nerves after Newcastle... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181085/heartbreak-philippines-south-korea-edge-sven-goran-erikssons-azkals-1?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181085/heartbreak-philippines-south-korea-edge-sven-goran-erikssons-azkals-1?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:32:21 +0000 China came from behind to beat debutants Kyrgyzstan in the AFC Asian Cup in their group C opener in Sheikh Kalifa International Stadium in Al Ain. The new boys had taken a deserved lead after Akhlidin Israilov volleyed home from the edge of the box from a Mirlan Mirzaev knockdown just before half-time. Kyrgyzstan then had the chance to double their lead before the interval but Vitaly Lux poked the just past the post to give China a chance to regroup. China coach Marcello Lippi did just that,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181073/china-thank-kyrgyzstan-goalkeeper-blunders-comeback-win-asian-cup-uae?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2181073/china-thank-kyrgyzstan-goalkeeper-blunders-comeback-win-asian-cup-uae?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jan 2019 13:53:21 +0000