Australia hand over trophy as the AFC Asian Cup ushers a new era
5th January 2019
Abu Dhabi: Football Federation Australia Limited (FFA) President Chris Nikou officially handed over the AFC Asian Cup trophy to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa on Saturday just moments before the grand opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.
Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, who amassed over 100 caps for his nation before his recent retirement and grabbed three goals in Australia’s road to the 2015 title was also in attendance to co-present the trophy to the AFC President.
The handover will be the final occasion the old trophy will feature in an Asian Cup after the AFC commissioned a new trophy during the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Draw at the Burj Khalifa in May last year.
The old trophy, which was last lifted by 2015 hosts Australia at Stadium Australia in Sydney, has been an integral part of the competition for over six decades since making its debut at the inaugural edition in 1956.
The trophy was first lifted by Korea Republic, with only seven other teams to follow in their footsteps in the tournament’s proud history. Japan have lifted the trophy more than any other side and are trailed closely by Saudi Arabia and Islamic Republic of Iran, each with three titles.
Whatever the outcome at the coveted final on February 1, the eventual winners of the continental showpiece will not only claim the title of Asian champions but will also become the first-ever side to hoist the new AFC Asian Cup trophy.
The new silverware, which travelled nearly 25,000km across several major Asian cities during the UAE 2019 trophy tour, has been produced by a world-renowned silversmith in London and is revolutionary in design to communicate the powerful spirit of football’s second oldest continental competition.
Source: the-afc.com