Topic
TOPIC
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 contest a group stage consisting of six groups of four teams, followed by a knockout stage of 16 teams. Australia are the defending champions. The winner of the 2019 Asian Cup will earn the right to participate in the 2021 Fifa Confederations.
- AFC secretary general Windsor John praises progress on football specific stadiums for the tournament despite Covid-19 impact
- ‘We are sure that the AFC Asian Cup will be a significant moment in the next stage of the growth of the game in China,’ he says
Coronavirus pandemic sees deadline for statements of interest extended to June.
Coronavirus pandemic sees deadline for statements of interest extended to June.
The four-time Champions League winner is a trailblazer for the sport in Asia and shares her thoughts on the future of women’s football in the East.
The four-time Champions League winner is a trailblazer for the sport in Asia and shares her thoughts on the future of women’s football in the East.
Senior team striker Li Ying and U-19 defender Wang Linlin are nominated for AFC’s Women’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, respectively.
Senior team striker Li Ying and U-19 defender Wang Linlin are nominated for AFC’s Women’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, respectively.
Iran football podcast Gol Bezan weighs in what Mixu Paatelainen’s side can expect from Asia’s No 1 side.
Iran football podcast Gol Bezan weighs in what Mixu Paatelainen’s side can expect from Asia’s No 1 side.
Ali Issa Ahmad claims he was tortured, stabbed and racially abused by hosts in January tournament.
Ali Issa Ahmad claims he was tortured, stabbed and racially abused by hosts in January tournament.
- Japan had never lost in its previous four finals but were behind for most of game after Almoez Ali’s overhead kick
- Japan had never lost in its previous four finals but were behind for most of game after Almoez Ali’s overhead kick
Qataris face record winners in their first final but are yet to concede a goal at 2019 tournament
Qataris face record winners in their first final but are yet to concede a goal at 2019 tournament
Regional tensions boil over as Abu Dhabi crowd throws flip-flops and plastic bottles at Qatar players – and drowns out visitors’ national anthem with boos in politically charged semi-final
Regional tensions boil over as Abu Dhabi crowd throws flip-flops and plastic bottles at Qatar players – and drowns out visitors’ national anthem with boos in politically charged semi-final
- Qatar-based player was criticised for saying World Cup 2022 hosts would win tournament, but has correctly predicted seven of eight quarter-finalists and three of four semi-finalists
- Qatar-based player was criticised for saying World Cup 2022 hosts would win tournament, but has correctly predicted seven of eight quarter-finalists and three of four semi-finalists
- ‘Emotional breakdown’ from favourites means 43-year wait for an Asian Cup continues, while Blue Samurai can become five-time winners on Friday
- ‘Emotional breakdown’ from favourites means 43-year wait for an Asian Cup continues, while Blue Samurai can become five-time winners on Friday
- Hosts are looking for first return to final since they finished runners-up on home soil at 1996 tournament
- Hosts are looking for first return to final since they finished runners-up on home soil at 1996 tournament
- Winner of Monday’s first semi-final from Al Ain will be favourites in the final against Qatar or hosts UAE
- Winner of Monday’s first semi-final from Al Ain will be favourites in the final against Qatar or hosts UAE
- Defender was substituted just 10 minutes after error led to Sardar Azmoun opening the scoring on the way to a 3-0 win
- Defender was substituted just 10 minutes after error led to Sardar Azmoun opening the scoring on the way to a 3-0 win
South Korea up first against Qatar, then hosts UAE take on Australia
South Korea up first against Qatar, then hosts UAE take on Australia
China limp out of tournament with dismal 3-0 loss to Iran as coach Marcello Lippi says it is ‘unacceptable for players to make these kinds of errors’
China limp out of tournament with dismal 3-0 loss to Iran as coach Marcello Lippi says it is ‘unacceptable for players to make these kinds of errors’
Japan take on Vietnam before China face Iran in the last eight – here’s all you need to know about how to watch and who to pick
Japan take on Vietnam before China face Iran in the last eight – here’s all you need to know about how to watch and who to pick
Tournament top scorers Qatar face Iran for right to face winner of early game between favourites South Korea and Bahrain
Tournament top scorers Qatar face Iran for right to face winner of early game between favourites South Korea and Bahrain
- Brighton goalkeeper stands strong for Socceroos with performance reminiscent of Bruce Grobelaar for Liverpool in Rome
- Brighton goalkeeper stands strong for Socceroos with performance reminiscent of Bruce Grobelaar for Liverpool in Rome
China will meet tournament favourite Iran in the last-eight
China will meet tournament favourite Iran in the last-eight
- Game has largest media coverage of any involving China so far but not all is positive ahead of quarter-final meeting with Iran
- Game has largest media coverage of any involving China so far but not all is positive ahead of quarter-final meeting with Iran
- Socceroos face challenge from Uzbekistan side that gave Japan a battle
- while hosts hope to make it through to quarter-finals with win over debutants Kyrgyzstan
- Socceroos face challenge from Uzbekistan side that gave Japan a battle
- while hosts hope to make it through to quarter-finals with win over debutants Kyrgyzstan
- Tournament favourites Iran face Oman for a place in the quarter-finals
- Tournament favourites Iran face Oman for a place in the quarter-finals
Samurai Blue through with nine points from nine, as Almoez Ali takes his tally to seven goals as Qatar stun Saudis
Samurai Blue through with nine points from nine, as Almoez Ali takes his tally to seven goals as Qatar stun Saudis
- Juventus win controversial final in Jeddah thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo goal
- Juventus win controversial final in Jeddah thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo goal
- National team hailed to be as good as Germany after matching 2-0 loss to Son Heung-min inspired side
- National team hailed to be as good as Germany after matching 2-0 loss to Son Heung-min inspired side
- North Korea have conceded 10 goals in two games but could still go through with win over Lebanon
- North Korea have conceded 10 goals in two games but could still go through with win over Lebanon
- Groups C and D will be decided and debutants Philippines, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen could still go through
- Groups C and D will be decided and debutants Philippines, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen could still go through
- Philippines, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen are all debutants at the 2019 tournament and can still go through to knockouts
- Philippines, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen are all debutants at the 2019 tournament and can still go through to knockouts