By Samindra Kunti
India 4 Thailand 1
January 6 – India steamrollered Thailand 4-1 in their opening game on Sunday to take a huge step towards reaching the knockout phase of the Asian Cup for the first time. Talisman Sunil Chhetri scored twice as Anirudh Thapa and substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua also got on the score sheet.
Australia 0 Jordan 1
January 6 – Day 2 Game 2 and the AFC Asian Cup 2019 burst into life with another surprise result as reigning champions Australia were beaten by a goal in their opening group game by a jubilant Jordan. Last night hosts UAE were held to an unexpected draw by Bahrain in the opening game of the tournament.
UAE 1 Bahrain 1
January 5– UAE Striker Ahmed Khalil saved the host nation’s blushes with a late penalty as the United Arab Emirates drew 1-1 with Bahrain in the opening game of the 2019 Asian Cup. By Samindra Kunti at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
By Samindra Kunti in Abu Dhabi
January 5 – United Arab Emirates coach Alberto Zaccheroni (pictured centre) thinks that history can still repeat itself for the host nation after his team stumbled to a disappointing 1-1 draw in the curtain raiser of the 2019 Asian Cup. The Italian won the Asian Cup in 2011 after Japan were held in their first game by Jordan.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 5 – He may be little known in his home country, yet he is the man largely credited with waking one of Asian football’s sleeping giants from its seemingly interminable slumber.
By Samindra Kunti in Abu Dhabi
January 5 – India and Thailand will focus on kicking off their Asian Cup campaign in winning style on Sunday at the Al Nahyan Stadium as the two nations have subdued tournament expectations after enduring a troublesome build-up to the finals.
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 5 – The 2019 Asian Cup opener today between the host nation UAE and Bahrain will be only the second encounter between the two national teams in this competition. The first was in the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia. UAE won 2-1.
By Paul Nicholson
January 4 – The opening match of the Asian Cup tomorrow at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi marks what is a significant change in the geographical focus of the international football world for the next four years. It also marks a big step forward for the Asian Football Confederation and its competitive framework.
By Paul Nicholson
January 4 – The Asian Cup teams are gathering in the UAE for the start of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals but the pathways into the country are proving far from smooth for some officials and media with yesterday the UAE refusing entry to Asian Football Confederation vice president Saoud al-Mohannadi from Qatar, chairman of the organising committee for the championship.
January 4 – The Football Association is asking anyone with information to come forward after an unnamed England international was reported to have been “kicked out of a nightclub for taking cocaine”.
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 4 – Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov is on the verge of making history at the AFC Asian Cup, posting a new playing record in the Asian football showpiece.
January 4 – Italy’s deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has condemned as “disgusting” restrictions imposed on women at the Italian Super Cup being staged this month in Saudi Arabia.
January 4 – Asia is striking a blow for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system by introducing it in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup that gets under way this weekend.
January 4 – A Chelsea supporter has been banned from attending games for three years after being found guilty of homophobic chants during the club’s Premier League game at Brighton and Hove Albion last month.
January 4 – LaLiga has distributed more than €1.32 billion from broadcast revenue to with Barcelona and Real Madrid taking almost 25% of the pot with a combined €302 million.