Upwardly mobile Real Betis increase Alfa Romeo deal
January 7 – Real Betis, currently in sixth in LaLiga’s top flight, have expanded their agreement with Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo who will now become one of the club’s main partners.
Match preview Iran vs Yemen: Queiroz wary of unknown Yemenis
January 6 – Iran have not won the Asian Cup since 1976 and as Team Melli chase a fourth continental title Carlos Queiroz has stressed that Iran are not underestimating Yemen in their opening fixture, calling it “a crucial game”.
Constantine happy with another progressive day at the office for an emerging India
By Samindra Kunti in Abu Dhabi
January 6 – India enjoyed a dream start in the 2019 Asian Cup as the Blue Tigers outclassed Thailand in a 4-1 victory in their opening game, but a down-to-earth head coach Stephen Constantine refused to get carried away and called the landmark win just “another result”.
India’s pace and panache stampedes through the Thai War Elephants
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.
Asian Cup holders Australia humbled by battling Jordanians
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 deliver spectacular Asian Cup opening, Bahrain make it a surprise party
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.
Down but not out: UAE’s Zaccheroni optimistic his Japanese history can repeat itself
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.
India’s time? Constantine set on making a name with an awakening giant
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.
Match preview: Thais eager to reverse poor form, India desperate to build a winning culture
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.
Asian Cup 2019 opener: UAE edge Bahrain in head-to-head stats
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.
Asian Cup kick off: UAE vs Bahrain ushers in a new era for the AFC and Asian football
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.
UAE relents to allow Qatar’s Mohannadi entry for Asian Cup after border skirmish
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.
Wanted, whistleblower. English FA hunts for info on alleged Christmas drug taker
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”.
UAE 2019: Uzbek’s Nesterov poised to make Asian Cup history
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.
Italian Super Cup in Saudi backfires as PM slams men-only attendance as ‘disgusting’
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.