Post by cjeagle on Mar 28, 2018 7:49:38 GMT 8
The UAE 2019 Cast
Host country United Arab Emirates
Dates 5 January – 1 February 2019
Teams 24 (from 1 confederation)
Venue(s) 8 (in 4 host cities)
Debutants set to shine in UAE 2019
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Kuala Lumpur: The decision to expand the AFC Asian Cup to 24 teams has had an immediate impact with Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines and Yemen qualifying for the Finals for the first time in history.
Philippines
From the onset, Philippines were a team on a mission, eager to erase their heartbreak from four years ago when they were just one match away from Australia 2015, only to fall at the finishing hurdle against Palestine in the final of the AFC Challenge Cup.
Showing glimpses of their promise in the second round of qualifiers, the Azkals registered impressive victories over DPR Korea, Bahrain and Yemen to finish third in Group H and subsequently rose to an all-time high of 115th in the FIFA World Ranking in May 2016.
The Southeast Asian side stormed off the blocks in the final round of the qualifiers, with an inspiring 4-1 home victory over Nepal before edging past Tajikistan in an epic 4-3 thriller in Dushanbe to solidify top spot in Group F after two matches.
Three successive draws later, two against Yemen and a goalless stalemate away to Nepal, the Azkals were on the brink of history with just a point against Tajikistan in the final match guaranteeing their place amongst Asia’s elite.
Spurred on by a buoyant crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, the home side displayed formidable resilience to come back from a goal down against Tajikistan, courtesy of goals from Philip Younghusband and Kevin Ingreso to clinch a famous 2-1 victory and top spot in Group F.
www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-asian-cup/latest/news/afc-asian-cup-intro
The draw of the final tournament will be held on 4 May 2018 At Dubai Opera in Dubai. As hosts, the United Arab Emirates will be seeded into Pot 1. The other 23 teams will be allocated based on their April 2018 FIFA Rankings. After the conclusion of the draw, the 24 teams will be drawn into six groups of four teams, with the hosts placed in position A1.
Host country United Arab Emirates
Dates 5 January – 1 February 2019
Teams 24 (from 1 confederation)
Venue(s) 8 (in 4 host cities)
Debutants set to shine in UAE 2019
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Kuala Lumpur: The decision to expand the AFC Asian Cup to 24 teams has had an immediate impact with Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines and Yemen qualifying for the Finals for the first time in history.
Philippines
From the onset, Philippines were a team on a mission, eager to erase their heartbreak from four years ago when they were just one match away from Australia 2015, only to fall at the finishing hurdle against Palestine in the final of the AFC Challenge Cup.
Showing glimpses of their promise in the second round of qualifiers, the Azkals registered impressive victories over DPR Korea, Bahrain and Yemen to finish third in Group H and subsequently rose to an all-time high of 115th in the FIFA World Ranking in May 2016.
The Southeast Asian side stormed off the blocks in the final round of the qualifiers, with an inspiring 4-1 home victory over Nepal before edging past Tajikistan in an epic 4-3 thriller in Dushanbe to solidify top spot in Group F after two matches.
Three successive draws later, two against Yemen and a goalless stalemate away to Nepal, the Azkals were on the brink of history with just a point against Tajikistan in the final match guaranteeing their place amongst Asia’s elite.
Spurred on by a buoyant crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, the home side displayed formidable resilience to come back from a goal down against Tajikistan, courtesy of goals from Philip Younghusband and Kevin Ingreso to clinch a famous 2-1 victory and top spot in Group F.
www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-asian-cup/latest/news/afc-asian-cup-intro
The draw of the final tournament will be held on 4 May 2018 At Dubai Opera in Dubai. As hosts, the United Arab Emirates will be seeded into Pot 1. The other 23 teams will be allocated based on their April 2018 FIFA Rankings. After the conclusion of the draw, the 24 teams will be drawn into six groups of four teams, with the hosts placed in position A1.