By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 28 – The two arch rivals will meet today in what the stats suggest should be a fairly even encounter. UAE have defeated Qatar twice in the AFC Asian Cup and Qatar defeated UAE once in their three continental encounters.
January 28 – Qatar’s captain Hassan Al Haydos has said his team have what it takes to reach the final of the 2019 Asian Cup as they face hosts the United Arab Emirates in yet another match that mirrors the geopolitical showdown in this fascinating tournament.
January 28 – Carlos Queiroz has stepped down as coach of Iran after his team crashed out of the Asian Cup 3-0 against Japan. In recent weeks the Portuguese has been linked to the Colombia national team vacancy.
Iran 0 Japan 3
By Paul Nicholson
January 28 – Japan stunned Iran and their fans into silence with an outstanding second half performance to win 3-0 in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, UAE, tonight.
January 28 – The Abu Dhabi Sports Council has snapped up all the remaining tickets for the AFC Asian Cup semi-final to be played in the 42,000 capacity Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 28 – Though it is the fourth time in the AFC Asian Cup, it will be the first time the two Asian giants have met in the knock out stage. Iran and Japan have previously met three times in group stage of the continental tournament.
January 28 – Just 90 minutes and a win against Japan separate Iran from the final of the Asian Cup, a competition they have not won since 1976, but Carlos Queiroz has stressed that Iran must stay true to themselves to overcome a major test against the four-time record champions.
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 22 – They are passionate, close and hail from totally football family. The Afif brothers of Qatar are having a big impact at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 in the United Arab Emirates.
UAE 1 Australia 0
By Samindra Kunti
January 25 – The United Arab Emirates shocked Australia 1-0 in the quarterfinals to send the defending champions packing and prolong their stay at their own party which they are now warming up to. They will face Qatar in another spicy geopolitical showdown in the last four.
South Korea 0 Qatar 1
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 25 – Qatar pulled off the surprise win of the tournament to date knocking out traditional regional heavyweight South Korea 1-0 to take them to their first Asian Cup semi-final.
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 25 – AFC Asian Cup 2019 hosts United Arab Emirates will face-off against Australia today at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain in the last Quarter Final encounter in this year’s continental showpiece.
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 25 – World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar will take on South Korea today in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, aiming to create some history of their own history and progress to the semi-finals for the first time.
China 0 Iran 3
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 24 – Earlier in the Chinese dancers had put on a display of poise and elegance in the Fan Zone on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. Come the evening it was Iran’s turn to turn on the style as they terrorised China’s lead-footed defence running out 3-0 winners, setting up a semi-final clash with Japan.
Vietnam 0 Japan 1
January 24 – A resourceful Japan shed their conservative game plan to defeat Vietnam 1-0 and seal a spot among Asia’s four best as the newly introduced VAR headlined to disallow a goal and award penalty in the first quarterfinal of the Asian Cup.
January 24 – Having negotiated Oman in the last 16 round, Iran go into their quarter final with China as clear favourites.