Asian Cup – Inside World Football

Jamil takes over at India as CAFA Nations Cup looms

Andy Elliott — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 10:02:42 +0000

August 5 – Khalid Jamil has been named the new manager of India with the CAFA Nations Cup at the end of August looming as his first managerial task.

Jamil succeeds the winless Manolo Marquez, who ended his tenure by mutual consent less than a year after taking charge.

The 40-cap former Indian international was selected from a three-man shortlist that included Stephen Constantine and Slovakia’s Stefan Tarkovic. The selection process was not without hiccups;

Qatar’s golden generation break Asian Cup records

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:42:54 +0000

By Abdelaziz Abuhamar

February 1 – Almost no one was expecting the Qatar national team to drive their way through to become the continental champions in the AFC 2019 Asian Cup that completed in the United Arab Emirates Firday night.

In doing so they posted a number of records in the history of the Asian Cup.

Qatar sent their youngest-ever squad of their 10 Asian Cup finals, with an average age of 25 years, Read more …

The post Qatar’s golden generation break Asian Cup records appeared first on Inside World Football.

Almoez brilliance and Qatar’s defensive blockade shock Japan

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 17:54:37 +0000

Japan 1 Qatar 3

By Paul Nicholson

February 1 – The Qatar football project is bearing fruit. Ably supported by an army of Omanis who once again had driven across the border, this time in their thousands, to support them, Qatar lifted their first-ever Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi with a 3-1 win over a Japanese team that started as favourites.

Qatar have taken this tournament by surprise,

Almoez and Al Rawi cleared to play in tonight’s final as AFC dismisses UAE eligibility complaint

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 11:56:00 +0000

February 1 – Game on, all players available. The protest lodged the by United Arab Emirates FA concerning the eligibility of Qataris players Almoez Ali and Bassam Al Rawi has been unanimously dismissed by the AFC disciplinary committee, just four hours before the final between Qatar and the UAE is due to take place.

Both players will be eligible for selection and will likely start. Al Rawi missed the semi-final.

The UAE lodged their protest within two hours of losing the semi-final 4-0 as a bad tempered home crowd threw bottles and sandals on to the pitch.

Asian Cup Final: Qatar vs Japan head-to-head stats

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 04:03:47 +0000

By Abdelaziz Abuhamar

February 1 – Qatar is appearing for the first time in the AFC Asian Cup finals and will take on the 4-time Asian Cup champions Japan.

Japan play in their 5th continental final having claimed the title in each of their four finals against Saudi Arabia in 1992 and 2000, China in 2004 and Australia in 2011. Japan scored 6 goals in the four finals.

But the promising Qatar national team are unexpected prey for the mighty and veteran Japan.

Asian Cup Final preview: Japan vs Qatar

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 04:00:20 +0000

By Samindra Kunti

January 31 – First-time finalists Qatar will seek to make national history on Friday in the final of the Asian Cup by overcoming continental powerhouse Japan. The Samurai Blue will aim for a record fifth continental crown in a final that is predicted to go down the wire.

In the last four Qatar crushed the hosts the United Arab Emirates 4-0. The Qataris have never progressed beyond the quarterfinals before this tournament,

The post Asian Cup Final preview: Japan vs Qatar appeared first on Inside World Football.

UAE protest eligibility of Qatar’s Almoez and Al Rawi and demand AFC Final spot

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:10:23 +0000

By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi

January 31 – The UAE Football Association has formally protested against the eligibility of two Qatari footballers who played in the Asian Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

The UAE lost the match 4-0 as a bad tempered home crowd threw bottles and sandals on to the pitch. The UAE FA are now calling for the semi-final result to be annulled and that they should take the place of Qatar in Friday’s final.

Uzbek’s cool and quiet official set to make Asian Cup history

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:07:56 +0000

By Abdelaziz Abuhamar

January 31 – Uzbek’s Ravshan Irmatov has officiated more matches in the history of the Asian Cup than any other referee, having taken charge of 13 matches in a record four Asian Cup final tournaments.

The AFC 2019 Asian Cup final between Qatar and Japan on Friday, will mark Ravshan’s 14th games in the continental showpiece.

Most importantly, Ravshan will be the first referee to officiate two Asian Cup finals having been handed the final between Australia and Japan in the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar.

Tempers fray, shoes fly, as Qatar hand 4-0 drubbing to Asian Cup hosts UAE

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 22:27:09 +0000

UAE 0 Qatar 4

By Paul Nicholson

January 29 – Qatar comprehensively beat Asian Cup hosts UAE 4-0 in what ended up a bad tempered semi-final at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Qatar now go on to meet Japan in Friday’s final.

End of second half scenes of water bottles being thrown on to the pitch from all sections of the crowd,

Qatar and goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb post new Asian Cup record

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:26:42 +0000

By Abdelaziz Abuhamar

January 29 – Qatar’s goalkeeper Saad Al-Dosari posted a new continental record having maintained a successive clean sheet with his country’s national team in 6 successive matches, complete 540 minutes in the Asian Cup 2019.

Qatar caught the hosts UAE unaware with 4-0 victory in Abu Dhabi last night, the highest-ever defeat for any hosts in the continental semifinal.

Al-Dosari, 28 years-old, plays for Qatar football powerhouse Al-Sadd – he was in the starting line-up with eight of his teammates.

Asian Cup semi-final stats: UAE vs Qatar head-to-head

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:10:39 +0000

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.

The all-time head-to-head, however, show Qatar have won 11 times and UAE 9 times, they have drawn 8 times. They are tied even in the goals scored;

War Games2: UAE vs Qatar preview

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 23:43:32 +0000

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.

Felix Sanchez’s Qatar eliminated South Korea and Song Heung-min in the quarterfinals to achieve their best-ever result in the Asian Cup. The Qataris must now overcome the UAE iof they are to reach their first-ever final.

The post War Games2: UAE vs Qatar preview appeared first on Inside World Football.

Queiroz calls time on his Iranian adventure

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:33:21 +0000

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.

The Iranians had been favourites against the four-time Asian Cup champions in the semi-finals, but were, in the end comprehensively beaten by Hajime Moriyasu’s team.

“The innocent mistakes from my players that resulted in a goal caused an emotional breakdown in my players…The best team won…

The post Queiroz calls time on his Iranian adventure appeared first on Inside World Football.

Japan stun Iran with a 3-0 lesson in staying focussed

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 19:21:32 +0000

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.

It could easily have been so different but for a lapse of Iranian defensive concentration that turned the match, against the run of play,

Home support: UAE buys all remaining tickets as temperatures raised for Qatar semi-final

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 08:47:58 +0000

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.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, ordered all remaining tickets for the semi-final to be purchased by his organisation, which has set up distribution points across the country and is giving the tickets away free.

AFC semi-final stats: Japan vs Iran head-to-head

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 05:06:03 +0000

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.

This time around it will the moment of truth, at least for the Iranians who have drawn twice and lost once to mighty Japan in their previous Asian Cup encounters.

Queiroz promises Iranian style, Moriyasu says Japan are maturing

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 18:32:22 +0000

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.

“The most important thing is to be ourselves,” said Queiroz. “It doesn’t make any sense to play one game without being ourselves. After eight years and after so many sacrifices and so many games,

Afif brothers making the Asian Cup a family celebration

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 18:00:38 +0000

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.

Ali, former Al-Sadd player and now playing for Al-Duhail, and Akram Afif, on loan from Villarreal CF of Spain to Al-Sadd, are both representing their country’s national team.

While junior Akram featured played Qatar’s 5 matches so far in Asian Cup,

UAE produce second Gulf shock, knocking out champions Australia

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 19:07:34 +0000

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.

No one had given the UAE much of a chance after their lacklustre first four games,

Hatim’s thunderbolt stuns South Korea and sends Qatar into semis

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 16:41:37 +0000

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.

It also notched another new tournament record for the 2022 World Cup hosts who became the first country in an Asian Cup to beat both North and South Korea.

AFC ¼ final stats: UAE vs Australia head-to-head

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:22:39 +0000

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.

The UAE national team, supported by enthusiastic home fans, progressed to the quarter final following an extra time thriller and a tough 3-2 victory over Krygyzstan, while the Socceroos struggled against Uzbekistan in another penalty shoot-out thriller.

AFC ¼ final stats: Qatar vs South Korea head-to-head

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:09:29 +0000

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.

The Koreans, who progressed to the quarter final by beating Bahrain 2-1 in round 16, have plenty of experience in this round.

Iran raise their game a level to blow Chinese away

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 20:40:14 +0000

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.

China have never beaten Iran in the Asian Cup and it wasn’t going to happen today.

Japan find a new gear to pull away from a rejuvenating Vietnam

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 19:51:37 +0000

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.

Could the Golden Dragons produce one more shock? That was the question on everyone’s lips after their remarkable elimination of Jordan.

Iran focussed on brushing aside a mis-firing China

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:27:59 +0000

January 24 – Having negotiated Oman in the last 16 round, Iran go into their quarter final with China as clear favourites.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz’s team has really only been tested fully against Iraq in the group stages when they had already qualified for the next round. The Iraq match was a feisty and temperamental affair that ended 0-0.

Queiroz will be glad to be back to facing opponents where football rather than emotion should be the deciding factor.

AFC ready to debut VAR at Japan vs Vietnam Asian Cup quarter final

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 07:43:13 +0000

By Paul Nicholson

January 24 – The 2019 Asian Cup has been a tournament of firsts and in Dubai today there will be another. The Japan vs Vietnam quarter final will be the first time VAR has been used at an AFC event.

The introduction of VAR is a milestone in the region where only a few of the top national leagues and teams have VAR in operation or have tested the system – Australia,

Japan wary as Vietnam prepare for another giantkilling

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 06:11:47 +0000

January 24 – Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has praised his counterpart Park Hang-seo as Vietnam prepare to take on the four-time winners in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup. The underdogs feel confident they can a surprise.

Moriyasu’s Japan proved too strong for Saudi Arabia in the round of 16 with a fine defensive and disciplined display. The Vietnamese took the hard route and booked their place in the last eight after edging Jordan on penalties.

AFC ¼ final stats: Japan vs Vietnam head-to-head

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 22:06:08 +0000

By Abdelaziz Abuhamar

January 24 – Japan will take on Vietnam in the first of the 2019 Asian Cup quarter finals today at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

Japan stunned Saudi Arabia with 1-0 victory in Round 16 encounter while Vietnam progressed to the quarter final following extra time and a penalty shot-out against Jordan.

Four times Asian Cup winners Japan are appearing in the quarter final for the 7th time,

AFC ¼ final stats: Iran vs China head-to-head

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 21:47:13 +0000

By Abdelaziz Abuhamar

January 24 – Two times 2nd place, three times 3rd place and three times 4th place is the Asian Cup history, but for Marcello Lippi’s Chinese who meet Iran today at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter final.

These two Asian powerhouses have met six times but this first time in the quarter final of the continental competition.

The post AFC ¼ final stats: Iran vs China head-to-head appeared first on Inside World Football.

Hayu Omani: Fans create crisis for Sharjah restaurants

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 07:49:25 +0000

By Aqeel Saleh in Sharjah

January 23 – With the first set of knock-out rounds over, for many the long journey home begins – the end of their football adventure. Some of those leaving the Asian Cup in the UAE will be missed more than others, with few missed more than the Omani fans, especially in Sharjah.

In what was the Arabic equivalent of Europe’s ‘drinking the town dry’,