FC Köln buys into SK Gaming esports team alongside Mercedes-Benz
January 18 – Germany’s FC Köln has bought into esports team SK Gaming alongside sponsor Mercedes-Benz. No value was given for the investment.
Grp E: Almoez double hands Qatar bragging rights over Saudi
By Paul Nicholson and Samindra Kunti
January 17 – Ali Almoez delivered another powerful goal scoring performance inspiring Qatar to a resounding 2-0 win over a solidly organised but rarely threatening Saudi Arabia. Qatar top Group E unbeaten and now face Iraq in the last 16.
Oman and the megaphone man through, Vietnam squeeze past bad boy Lebanese
January 17 – On a day of heartbreak, tears and joy at the Asian Cup Oman and Vietnam booked spots among Asia’s last 16 as Lebanon, Palestine, Turkmenistan and North Korea crashed out and waved goodbye to the tournament.
Saudi FA gives away free tickets before Qatar game
January 17 – The Saudi Arabian FA was giving tickets away in hotels in Abu Dhabi prior to the kick off the top of the table group clash between them and Qatar tonight.
Saudi’s Italian Super Cup games goes ahead. Women allowed in, broadcast partners left out
January 17 – Following weeks of protests over gender discrimination, thousands of women attended Wednesday night’s controversial Italian Supercup final between Juventus and AC Milan in Saudi Arabia – but all of them were reportedly chaperoned by men or accompanied by male children.
Rumours of Pinnick’s arrest exaggerated as lawyers say there is no crime
January 16 – Attempts to arrest Nigerian FA chief Amaju Pinnick, a strong ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and four other NFF board members on allegations of corruption have been suspended according to local reports.
Is the top Premier League job too toxic to take? Second TV exec says no thanks
January 17 – In what is becoming something of an embarrassment for the richest league in world football, a second high-profile media executive has turned down the chance to become the new head of the English Premier League.
Rosell sets pre-trial incarceration record – 602 days and counting
January 17 – The preventive detention of Sandro Rosell, the former Barcelona strongman who is accused of money laundering related to television rights and sponsorship of the Brazilian national football team, is the longest in Spanish judicial history for an alleged economic crime according to local reports.
MLS awards new franchise to Austin FC who will build for 2021 start
January 16 – Major League Soccer (MLS) in the US has announced Austin FC as its 27th franchised team. Austin Will begin play in 2021.
Bundesliga takes next step in China with Beijing office and digital drive
January 17 – Germany’s Bundesliga is to open an office in Beijing, China, in March to build on the relationships the league has established with the Chinese FA and various regional sports authorities.
War games: Qatar and Saudi in shoot out to top group
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 17 –Last night Iran and Iraq treated us to a fractious encounter. Two proud nations who have a political history of conflict delivered an at times niggly if not quite full-on encounter. Tonight the Asian Cup delivers War GamesII – Qatar vs Saudi Arabia, the blockbuster game to end the group stages.
Grp D: Iran top group, Vietnamese keep hopes alive, proud Yemen head home
January 17 – Iran advanced to the last 16 of the Asian Cup as group D winners after a goalless draw with local rival Iraq. Vietnam defeated Yemen 2-0 to remain in contention for a knockout ticket.
Bento basks in the game-changing brilliance of Son
January 16 – South Korea coach Paulo Bento heralded Tottenham’s Son Heung-min as a pivotal influence in his team ‘s 2-0 win over China. Son, featuring in the starting eleven, earned an early penalty and assisted his team’s second goal.
Iraq’s startlet Muhannad Ali sets Arab record and sparks European interest
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 16 – Iraq’s wonder kid Muhannad Ali set a new regional record in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 by becoming the youngest Arab player to ever score in the continental showpiece. He has also become the third youngster to have scored in the competition’s history.
Grp C: Son’s impact is immediate as Korea roll over China’s defensive wall
By Samindra Kunti
January 16 – A Son-inspired South Korea passed their first major test of the Asian Cup by beating China and Marcello Lippi 2-0 to win Group C with a perfect record and nine points. The wait for the Tottenham star was over and his impact was immediate, forcing an early penalty and provided an assist to set his team on the path to victory.