UAE 2019 contenders conclude final preparations 

2nd January 2019

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Abu Dhabi: The Continent’s top teams went head-to-head in friendly matches as preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 intensified with Asia’s biggest and most anticipated football competition starting in four days.



As the countdown begins before the curtains are raised at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, the 24 teams are putting in the finishing touches in their bid for Asia’s ultimate prize.

Qatar have been the busiest team in recent weeks and have showed great ambitions in lifting their first-ever AFC Asian Cup with a convincing 2-0 victory over Jordan and a 1-0 win over AFC Asian Cup debutants Kyrgyz Republic.

However, the West Asian side’s undefeated streak since their win over Switzerland in November came to an end with double losses against Algeria 1-0 and three-time AFC Asian Cup champions Islamic Republic of Iran 2-1.



The host nation United Arab Emirates will return to the drawing board following a surprise 2-0 defeat to Kuwait. UAE will kickstart their campaign in the opening match against Bahrain on January 5 in Group A.

Turkmenistan defeated Afghanistan 2-0 in their final friendly before facing four-time AFC Asian Cup champions Japan in their opening match in Group F. Uzbekistan and Oman are also drawn in the same group.

Iraq secured a morale boosting 2-1 win over China PR and continued their winning ways with a 1-0 triumph against Palestine, who in earlier friendlies held IR Iran to a 1-1 draw and defeated Pakistan 2-0.

After defeats in earlier friendlies, Marcello Lippi’s China PR and Jordan played to a 1-1 draw with goals coming from Wu Xi and Musa Al Tamaari respectively.

Defending champions Australia sent an early warning to their rivals after securing an emphatic 5-0 victory against Oman, who were earlier held to a 0-0 draw by India, the first team to arrive in the UAE.

The in-form Bahrain received a huge boost in their AFC Asian Cup preparation after securing 4-0, 1-0 and 5-0 victories over DPR Korea, Lebanon and Tajikistan respectively.

Vietnam look set to continue their recent fine form as the 2018 AFF Cup champions defeated regional rivals Philippines 4-2. The win comes after playing to a 1-1 draw with DPR Korea in an earlier friendly.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyz Republic will make their first appearance at the AFC Asian Cup on the back of a morale boosting 2-1 victory against Palestine while powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic settled for a goalless draw on Monday.

Bernd Stange's Syria continued their winning momentum with a 1-0 victory over Yemen following their victory over Kuwait in November as they head into the AFC Asian Cup in fine form.

Photo: Saudi Arabian Football Federation


Source: the-afc.com

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