2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A, Matches, India vs Bahrain
India suffered early problems at the back when Anas Edathodika was forced off with an injury in the fourth minute and was replaced with Salam Ranjan Singh. Bahrain then applied pressure on the Blue Tigers’ defence as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was called into action three minutes later when he saved Sayed Dhiya Saeed’s left footed shot from outside the box. India were able to calm their nerves and responded in the 20th minute with Sunil Chhetri coming close to scoring for Stephen Constantine’s side but the striker failed to steer Gurpreet Singh's long pass home. Jamal Rashid and Sayed Dhiya Saeed both failed to find the mark with long-range efforts.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A, Matches, India vs Bahrain
Assistant referees:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Sergei Grishchenko (Kyrgyzstan)Fourth official:Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Singapore)Additional assistant referees:Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A, Discipline
Fair play points were used as tiebreakers if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied (and if a penalty shoot-out was not applicable as a tiebreaker). These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group A, Discipline
Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B
Group B of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup took place from 6 to 15 January 2019. The group consisted of defending champions Australia, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. The top two teams, Jordan and Australia, advanced to the round of 16.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Australia vs Jordan
With 10 minutes on the clock, Musa Al-Taamari turned in the area, only to shoot across the face of the goal. Robbie Kruse’s through ball found Awer Mabil, whose first-time shot was kept out by Amer Shafi. At 26 minutes, Baha' Abdel-Rahman’s corner found Anas Bani Yaseen who powered his header beyond Mathew Ryan. Minutes later Jordan almost doubled their lead after Trent Sainsbury’s foul on Al-Taamari provided Abdel-Rahman the opportunity to go for goal from the edge of the area, only for Ryan to tip the free-kick onto the crossbar.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Australia vs Jordan
Australia were denied a penalty for Feras Shelbaieh's apparent handball shortly before the break. Early in the second half, Mabil drove a low ball across the face of goal that Shafi pushed to the feet of one of his own defenders, while Tom Rogic’s dipping shot from range was also beaten away by the goalkeeper. At the other end, Yaseen Al-Bakhit’s long range drive was just off target moments after beating two defenders and seeing the ball out for a corner. Twelve minutes from time, Mabil saw his low drive come back off the base of Shafi’s left upright while substitute Jackson Irvine headed wide three minutes later. Australia continued to push and Shafi was forced into action in the final seconds of the game as Jordan recorded a historic result.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Australia vs Jordan
Assistant referees:Abu Bakar Al-Amri (Oman)Rashid Al-Ghaithi (Oman)Fourth official:Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)Additional assistant referees:Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Syria vs Palestine
Omar Al Somah’s run down the left caught Palestine off guard and his cross found Omar Kharbin in the area who fired his effort wide. Syria almost took the lead after seven minutes, when Palestine custodian Rami Hamadeh lost the ball in the area only for Kharbin to see his close-range effort cleared off the line by Abdullah Jaber. Syria continued to pile the pressure on Palestine as Hamadeh was called into action in the 29th minute when he produced an acrobatic save to deny Kharbin's header.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Syria vs Palestine
Syria then suffered a blow in the 39th minute when Osama Omari was stretchered off the pitch after picking up an injury and replaced by Youssef Kalfa. With a minute left in the half, Syria were given another opportunity but Al Somah couldn’t convert his free-kick as the score remained 0–0 at half-time. Palestine went down to 10 men after Mohammed Saleh picked up his second yellow card in the 68th minute. However, Syria failed to capitalise on their one-man advantage, and both the teams settled for a share of the points.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Syria vs Palestine
Assistant referees:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)Fourth official:Sergei Grishchenko (Kyrgyzstan)Additional assistant referees:Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Jordan vs Syria
The opener came in the 26th minute when Yaseen Al-Bakhit cut the ball back from the left to Yousef Al-Rawashdeh and his low driven centre was steered home at pace by Musa Al-Taamari. Three minutes later Jordan came close to score their second as Al-Bakhit found Al-Taamari, only for his effort to bounce off the turf before clearing the crossbar. The second goal came two minutes before the interval, Baha' Abdel-Rahman’s short corner to Al-Taamari was whipped into the area and Tareq Khattab held off the Syrian defence to head home at the near post.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Jordan vs Syria
Omar Kharbin headed just over the bar five minutes after the restart before shooting straight at Amer Shafi six minutes later. Kharbin was involved again in the 71st minute as the Jordanian defence made an error to gift him the ball 25 yards from goal, but this time Shafi was on hand to save, doing just enough to divert his shot wide of the left post. Jordan came close to score late as both Saeed Murjan and Ahmad Ersan narrowly missed. The Syrian coach Bernd Stange was sacked after this match, and replaced with former manager Fajr Ibrahim.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Jordan vs Syria
Assistant referees:Yoon Kwang-yeol (South Korea)Park Sang-jun (South Korea)Fourth official:Yaser Tulefat (Bahrain)Additional assistant referees:Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Palestine vs Australia
Jamie Maclaren headed in from Tom Rogic's cross to score his first international goal and give the holders a 1–0 lead in the 18th minute. Two minutes later, Australia doubled their lead when Awer Mabil found his way in behind the defence to side-foot home an angled pass from Chris Ikonomidis. Mabil was teed up by Maclaren in the dying moments of the first half, only for the winger to blaze his effort high and wide from close range.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Palestine vs Australia
An attempted 54th-minute cross from Rhyan Grant caught the woodwork after a heavy deflection off Abdullah Jaber, while Palestine's Musab Al-Battat made a defensive intervention moments later. Australia sealed their win in the 90th minute, with substitute Apostolos Giannou rising high to head home an Ikonomidis cross following an Australian set-piece.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Palestine vs Australia
Assistant referees:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)Fourth official:Mohamed Salman (Bahrain)Additional assistant referees:Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Australia vs Syria
Chris Ikonomidis found the hands of Ibrahim Alma with his long range attempt before the Syrian keeper twice denied Jamie Maclaren. In the 41st minute, Awer Mabil's curling strike arced its way inside the keeper’s right post. The lead was to last less than two minutes, however, as Moayad Ajan seared down the left flank beyond Rhyan Grant and sent in a cross that Omar Kharbin headed goalward. Mathew Ryan made the initial save, but Kharbin converted the rebound. Nine minutes after the restart, Australia were back in front.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Australia vs Syria
Tom Rogic’s ball from the left slid past Hussein Jwayed to land at the feet of Ikonomidis, who steered his effort over the line. Substitute Apostolos Giannou then hit the post 15 minutes from time, and five minutes later Syria were level after the referee pointed to the spot and Omar Al Somah converted. Three minutes into added time, Rogic gave Australia the win after he scored with an effort from distance. For Syria, this defeat meant they had not progressed from the group stage for the sixth consecutive AFC Asian Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Australia vs Syria
Assistant referees:Miguel Hernández (Mexico)Alberto Morín (Mexico)Fourth official:Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka)Additional assistant referees:Liu Kwok Man (Hong Kong)Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Palestine vs Jordan
Palestine came close to breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute when Amer Shafi produced a fingertip save to keep out Abdelatif Bahdari’s flicked attempt from a Tamer Seyam corner. Baha' Abdel-Rahman then flashed a shot inches over the bar from distance, before, in the final moments of the first half, Shafi punched clear with striker Mahmoud Wadi lurking. Six minutes after the restart, Oday Dabbagh failed to find the target with a header from Musab Al-Battat’s delivery. Moments later, Bahdari’s header from another Seyam set-piece was gathered on his line by Shafi, and Ahmad Ersan’s 68th minute shot at the other end was saved by Rami Hamadeh.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Matches, Palestine vs Jordan
Assistant referees:Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)Fourth official:Yoon Kwang-yeol (South Korea)Additional assistant referees:Ali Sabah (Iraq)Khamis Al-Kuwari (Qatar)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Discipline
Fair play points were used as tiebreakers if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied (and if a penalty shoot-out was not applicable as a tiebreaker). These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B, Discipline
Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C
Group C of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup took place from 7 to 16 January 2019. The group consists of South Korea, China PR, Kyrgyzstan, and the Philippines. The top two teams, South Korea and China PR, along with the third-placed team, Kyrgyzstan (as one of the four best third-placed teams), advanced to the round of 16.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C
South Korea was the only former champion in the group, having won both 1956 and 1960 editions. The Philippines and Kyrgyzstan both made debuts in the tournament.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, China PR vs Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan and China last played against each other in a friendly which ended in a 2–0 win for China.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, China PR vs Kyrgyzstan
Wu Lei had China's first effort at goal when he shot straight at Pavel Matyash in the 9th minute. Wu Xi shot just wide following a lay-off from Wu Lei before Gao Lin’s lofted, curling delivery from the left skipped away from a sliding Yu Dabao at the far post and bounced to safety. Mirlan Murzaev’s headed flick found Akhlidin Israilov on the edge of the area and the midfielder volleyed home via the inside of Yan Junling’s left post.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, China PR vs Kyrgyzstan
Five minutes into the second half, Valery Kichin's attempted headed clearance from a corner went straight up and Matyash, in trying to tip the ball over his crossbar, pushed it into his own net off the woodwork. Twelve minutes later, Wu Xi headed over the bar at the end of a move involving Zhang Linpeng and Gao Lin while Wu Lei also saw his headed attempt clear the goal in the 71st minute. With 12 minutes remaining China took the lead when Wu Xi’s header directed Liu Yang’s long ball from the back into Yu’s path who slotted his shot beyond Matyash.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, China PR vs Kyrgyzstan
Assistant referees:Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)Hasan Al-Mahri (United Arab Emirates)Fourth official:Ahmad Al-Roalle (Jordan)Additional assistant referees:Ali Sabah (Iraq)Ammar Al-Jeneibi (United Arab Emirates)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, South Korea vs Philippines
This match was the first meeting between South Korea and the Philippines in 39 years with the last meeting in 1980 ending in an 8–0 win for the Koreans.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, South Korea vs Philippines
South Korea were awarded a free-kick after Luke Woodland fouled Koo Ja-cheol outside the box, Jung Woo-young’s resulting strike missed the top left corner of the net by inches. Five minutes from the break, Lee Yong’s pass into the penalty box found Hwang Ui-jo, who then turned to unleash a shot but Philippines goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard made a save to deny him. Moments later, South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu parried away Javier Patiño’s volley, that began from a counter-attack after Daisuke Sato intercepted a pass and released a cross to the forward.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, South Korea vs Philippines
Ten minutes into the second half, Patiño's shot was saved by Kim. South Korea sent on Hwang In-beom and Lee Chung-yong and less than three minutes later, Lee's pass found Hwang Hee-chan, whose back pass set Ui-jo to open the scoring from close range in the 67th minute. Phil Younghusband replaced John-Patrick Strauß in the final minute of the game, but South Korea held on to claim the win.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, South Korea vs Philippines
Assistant referees:Yaser Tulefat (Bahrain)Mohamed Salman (Bahrain)Fourth official:Mohammed Al-Abakry (Saudi Arabia)Additional assistant referees:Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)Mohanad Qassim (Iraq)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Philippines vs China PR
The last match played between the two sides, a friendly in 2017, concluded in an 8–1 win for the Chinese over the Philippines.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Philippines vs China PR
The Philippines threatened to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Patrick Reichelt and John-Patrick Strauß combined to set-up Javier Patiño whose goalbound effort was blocked by defender Feng Xiaoting. However, after Wu Xi had flashed a header narrowly wide, China went ahead on 40 minutes, Wu Lei received Hao Junmin’s pass and finished from 12 yards past Michael Falkesgaard. In the final moments of the first half, China custodian Yan Junling made a fine save to deny Kevin Ingreso and maintain his side’s slender advantage.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Philippines vs China PR
After the break, Wu Lei’s angled volley forced Falkesgaard into a save, before he bagged his second of the game with a finish from Hao’s 66th minute free-kick. Falkesgaard then pulled off another stop to deny Wu Lei once again, only for Yu Dabao to add a third in the 80th minute when he headed home from a corner just 19 seconds after coming on as a substitute.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Philippines vs China PR
Assistant referees:Mohd Yusri Muhamad (Malaysia)Jun Mihara (Japan)Fourth official:Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)Additional assistant referees:Ryuji Sato (Japan)Jumpei Iida (Japan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Kyrgyzstan vs South Korea
Twelve minutes into the game, Kutman Kadyrbekov dropped to his left to keep out Koo Ja-cheol’s low strike form 25 yards and Tamirlan Kozubaev blocked Hwang Ui-jo’s attempt to slot home the rebound. Eleven minutes from the break, Bekzhan Sabynbaev's shot from close range was saved by Kim Seung-gyu. Lee Chung-yong fired over the bar in the 36th minute while Koo shot from distance, only for Kadyrbekov to make another save. The resulting corner by Hong Chul found Kim Min-jae who powered his downward header between Kadyrbekov’s legs and over the line.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Kyrgyzstan vs South Korea
In the 68th minute, Hwang Ui-jo's header came back off the crossbar and bounced on the goal line before Kozubaev headed it to safety. Five minutes later, Hwang Ui-jo saw another attempt hit the woodwork, this time after Chung-yong’s cross-field ball set him up to shoot, Kadyrbekov somehow touched the ball onto the crossbar. A minute later, Hwang Hee-chan managed to clip the top of the crossbar from a central position. But in the end, Min-jae’s goal was enough to see off Kyrgyzstan and take the two-time champions into the next phase of the competition.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Kyrgyzstan vs South Korea
Assistant referees:Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)Fourth official:Abu Bakar Al-Amri (Oman)Additional assistant referees:Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)Khamis Al-Kuwari (Qatar)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, South Korea vs China PR
China goalkeeper Yan Junling denied Hwang Ui-jo in quick succession and Kim Min-jae headed Son Heung-min’s corner narrowly wide on eight minutes. Five minutes later, South Korea were ahead, Son weaved his way into the Chinese penalty area before being brought down by Shi Ke’s outstretched leg. Ui-jo scored from the spot to hand his side an early lead. China could have drawn level in the 19th minute when Jin Jingdao latched onto Zhao Xuri’s pass but proceeded to sky his shot over the bar with only Kim Seung-gyu to beat.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, South Korea vs China PR
Shortly after that, Hwang Hee-chan’s effort forced Yan into another stop, and in the final chance of the first-half, Ui-jo hit an upright from a curling effort. Within six minutes of the restart, the Koreans had a second, Min-jae found the target with a header from a Son corner. Shortly before the hour mark, Jung Woo-young headed Son’s free-kick only just over the bar and then, at the other end, Wu Xi flashed a shot off target when well-placed. Hee-chan sent a header wide of Yan’s far post to leave the score unchanged.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, South Korea vs China PR
Assistant referees:Mohd Yusri Muhamad (Malaysia)Mohamad Zainal Abidin (Malaysia)Fourth official:Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)Additional assistant referees:Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)Khamis Al-Kuwari (Qatar)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Kyrgyzstan vs Philippines
Vitalij Lux gave Kyrgyzstan the lead in the 24th minute from a side foot effort into the top corner following Akhlidin Israilov's low, hard cross. Israilov fired narrowly over the crossbar, and Lux hit the upright, but despite a tally of 15 shots at goal to their opponents' two, Kyrgyzstan were unable to add to their lead before the half-time whistle. Lux turned and fired the ball into the top corner from Bekzhan Sagynbaev's pass in the 51st minute to score his second of the day.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Kyrgyzstan vs Philippines
Javier Patiño forced goalkeeper Kutman Kadyrbekov into a low save, and head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson introduced Phil Younghusband and James Younghusband into the fray. Lux completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute when he struck Mirlan Murzaev's woodwork-bound initial effort from close range. Stephan Schröck scored from a long-range free-kick three minutes later to give Philippines their first ever goal at the tournament.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Matches, Kyrgyzstan vs Philippines
Assistant referees:Mohammed Al-Abakry (Saudi Arabia)Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Singapore)Fourth official:Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka)Additional assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Discipline
Fair play points were used as tiebreakers if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied (and if a penalty shoot-out was not applicable as a tiebreaker). These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group C, Discipline
Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D
Group D of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup took place from 7 to 16 January 2019. The group consisted of Iran, Iraq, Vietnam, and Yemen. The top two teams, Iran and Iraq, along with the third-placed team, Vietnam (as one of the four best third-placed teams), advanced to the round of 16.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D
The group contained two former champions, Iran (3 titles) and Iraq (1 title). Yemen made its debut in the tournament.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iran vs Yemen
Yemen had the first chance of the game, Ahmed Al-Sarori ran into the penalty area and flashed a seventh minute shot narrowly over the bar. Mehdi Taremi opened Iran’s account in the 12th minute when he converted the rebound after Yemen goalkeeper Saoud Al-Sowadi pushed Sardar Azmoun’s long-range effort back into his path. At 23 minutes, Ashkan Dejagah’s free-kick found the back of the net via a combination of both the woodwork and Al-Sowadi, before Taremi bagged his second of the night by heading home Ramin Rezaeian’s cross moments later.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iran vs Yemen
In the second half, after Al-Sowadi had repelled two Azmoun headers, the forward finished from close-range on 53 minutes to further extend Iran’s lead. Azmoun was later denied by Mudir Al-Radaei’s challenge when through on goal, and his shot struck the bar with 14 minutes remaining. Substitute Saman Ghoddos added a fifth from the edge of the area shortly after, while Mehdi Torabi’s drive struck the post in added time.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iran vs Yemen
Assistant referees:Hiroshi Yamauchi (Japan)Jun Mihara (Japan)Fourth official:Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka)Additional assistant referees:Jumpei Iida (Japan)Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iraq vs Vietnam
Iraq and Vietnam have only met once in the Asian Cup history, back in 2007 edition when Iraq beat Vietnam 2–0 on its road to the first Asian title.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iraq vs Vietnam
After a slow start to the proceedings, Iraq came closest to breaking the deadlock through Hussein Ali's shot from distance which Đặng Văn Lâm tipped around his left-hand post on 14 minutes. Vietnam took the lead 10 minutes later, Nguyễn Quang Hải’s attempted pass saw defender Ali Faez turn the ball past the onrushing Jalal Hassan and into his own net. Iraq scored the equaliser shortly after the half-hour mark when Đỗ Duy Mạnh’s defensive lapse saw Mohanad Ali surge into the area and fire home past a diving Văn Lâm.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iraq vs Vietnam
With three minutes of the first period remaining, Vietnam regained the lead as Nguyễn Công Phượng bundled home the rebound after Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng’s shot had been parried into his path by Hassan. After the break, Safaa Hadi was denied by Văn Lâm and on the other end Hassan dived to smother a Công Phượng effort. In the 60th minute, substitute Humam Tariq smashed the ball into the roof of the net after Vietnam had failed to clear Mohanad Ali’s close-range effort. Ali Adnan curled home a 90th minute free-kick from 20 yards to seal victory for Iraq.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iraq vs Vietnam
Assistant referees:Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)Fourth official:Abu Bakar Al-Amri (Oman)Additional assistant referees:Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)Khamis Al-Kuwari (Qatar)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Vietnam vs Iran
Iran had the first chance of the game, Vahid Amiri failed to apply a finishing touch at the far post following Ashkan Dejagah’s 11th minute corner. Vietnam goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm then denied Saman Ghoddos, before the custodian produced another stop to repel a Sardar Azmoun drive shortly before the half-hour mark. The breakthrough came on 38 minutes, Azmoun headed home a Ghoddos cross and sent his side into the half-time break holding a slender lead.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Vietnam vs Iran
In the 52nd minute, substitute Nguyễn Văn Toàn's pass found Nguyễn Công Phượng, whose shot from 12 yards was parried to safety by the advancing Alireza Beiranvand. Moments later, Azmoun forced Văn Lâm into another save only to see Mehdi Taremi lash the subsequent rebound wide of the target. At 68 minutes, Azmoun gathered a Mehdi Torabi pass and fired past Văn Lâm to extend his side’s advantage and register his third goal of the tournament. Nguyễn Quang Hải curled a late effort narrowly off target, and Iran held on to register a record ninth successive AFC Asian Cup group stage victory.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Vietnam vs Iran
Assistant referees:Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Singapore)Sergei Grishchenko (Kyrgyzstan)Fourth official:Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka)Additional assistant referees:César Ramos (Mexico)Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Yemen vs Iraq
Iraq took the lead in the 11th minute when Mohanad Ali beat the Yemen defence before unleashing a shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner. Yemen had their first look at goal from a set-piece five minutes later, but Abdulwasea Al-Matari sent his header just above the bar. Yemen goalkeeper Saoud Al-Sowadi soon conceded the second goal in the 19th minute when Bashar Resan’s strike from the top of the box bounced off the right post before settling in the net.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Yemen vs Iraq
In the second half, both teams came close to finding the net with Ahmed Abdulrab’s right-footed shot from outside the box just being kept out by Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan in the 59th minute. Iraq responded five minutes later, with Mohanad coming close to getting his second but his lob was denied by the post and Ahmed Yasin missed the chance to tuck the rebound home. Iraq ended proceedings on a high note as Alaa Abbas scored with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box and into the net.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Yemen vs Iraq
Assistant referees:Huo Weiming (China PR)Cao Yi (China PR)Fourth official:Mohamad Zainal Abidin (Malaysia)Additional assistant referees:Ma Ning (China PR)Liu Kwok Man (Hong Kong)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Vietnam vs Yemen
Mudir Al-Radaei involved himself in an altercation with Nguyễn Công Phượng to concede a free-kick, picking up a yellow card from referee Ahmed Al-Kaf, and from the resultant free-kick the Vietnamese took the lead. Nguyễn Quang Hải sent a left-foot strike from 25 yards curling away from Salem Al-Harsh and into the top corner of the goal. Ten minutes into the second half, a move started by Đỗ Hùng Dũng’s angled ball down the right allowed Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng to pull his cross back to Công Phượng, only for his shot to be blocked by the Yemeni defence.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Vietnam vs Yemen
Seconds later, Hùng Dũng’s shot was collected by Al-Harsh. Ahmed Al-Sarori outpaced Đoàn Văn Hậu before firing a right foot shot that flew across the face of goal. Four minutes after the hour mark, though, Vietnam added the second from the penalty spot. Phan Văn Đức burst past Abdulaziz Al-Gumaei, surging into the box before the Yemeni defender wrestled him to the ground. Quế Ngọc Hải calmly slid the spot kick home to give Vietnam the win. However, as Vietnam was unable to score more than two goals, Vietnam had been forced to wait until the final group stage matches, in which Vietnam managed to become the last team to qualify for the knockout stage.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Vietnam vs Yemen
Assistant referees:Abu Bakar Al-Amri (Oman)Rashid Al-Ghaithi (Oman)Fourth official:Hiroshi Yamauchi (Japan)Additional assistant referees:Jumpei Iida (Japan)Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iran vs Iraq
Iran had the first chance at goal in the 12th minute when Vahid Amiri sent a cross into the box but Sardar Azmoun’s header was just off the mark. Three minutes from the half-time whistle, Alireza Jahanbakhsh latched on to Azmoun’s deflected attempt but couldn’t get his left-footed strike on target. Iran, in a bid to break down the Iraq defence, boosted their attacking prowess by bringing on Mehdi Taremi and Mehdi Torabi in the 63rd and 75th minutes respectively. However, it was Iraq who nearly took the lead in the 77th minute when substitute Alaa Abbas’s header was tipped over the bar by Alireza Beiranvand. As the minutes ticked away, neither team was able to make headway as they settled for a share of the spoils.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Matches, Iran vs Iraq
Assistant referees:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)Fourth official:Sergei Grishchenko (Kyrgyzstan)Additional assistant referees:Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Discipline
Fair play points were used as tiebreakers if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied (and if a penalty shoot-out was not applicable as a tiebreaker). These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group D, Discipline
Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E
Group E of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup took place from 8 to 17 January 2019. The group consisted of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, and North Korea. The top two teams, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, advanced to the round of 16. The third-placed team, Lebanon missed out qualification to the knockout stage by fair play points to Vietnam.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E
Saudi Arabia was the only former champion in the group, having won three Asian Cup titles (1984, 1988 and 1996).


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Saudi Arabia vs North Korea
The first chance of the game came in the 13th minute through Abdulaziz Al-Bishi’s left-footed strike which just missed the target. In the 28th minute, Hattan Bahebri dribbled past Ri Il-jin and sent a curler from the left to give Saudi Arabia the lead. Housain Al-Mogahwi’s free-kick from just outside the box sailed into the box and Mohammed Al-Fatil diverted it into the net with a back heel to double Saudi Arabia's advantage. Just a minute before the break Han Kwang-song received a second yellow card for a tackle on Al-Mogahwi, and North Korea were reduced to 10 men.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Saudi Arabia vs North Korea
North Korea came close in the 64th minute through skipper Jong Il-gwan but the Saudi defenders regrouped to deny him. Moments later, Saudi Arabia had a missed opportunity with Fahad Al-Muwallad sidestepping defender Kim Chol-bom and goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk, but his shot flew wide. In the 70th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari was left unmarked and the Saudi captain made no mistake from the centre of the box to make it 3–0. In the 87th minute, defender Kim Song-gi failed to clear Hamdan Al-Shamrani’s cross into the box, and Al-Muwallad slammed the ball into the back of the net to seal Saudi Arabia's first opening AFC Asian Cup match win since they emerged champions in 1996.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Saudi Arabia vs North Korea
Assistant referees:Matthew Cream (Australia)Anton Shchetinin (Australia)Fourth official:Sergei Grishchenko (Kyrgyzstan)Additional assistant referees:Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)Chris Beath (Australia)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Qatar vs Lebanon
In the 37th minute, Ali Hamam raced off to celebrate with his teammates after slotting Hassan Maatouk’s corner into the Qatari goal, only for the referee to controversially blow the whistle for a foul on Tarek Salman. Maatouk pulled the trigger on an effort of his own just before half-time, but his scissor kick flew high over the bar. Two minutes after the hour mark, the 2018 AFC Player of the Year, Abdelkarim Hassan was introduced from the bench for Abdulkarim Al-Ali and within three minutes the Qataris took the lead from Bassam Al-Rawi's strike from a free kick.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Qatar vs Lebanon
The defender sent a dipping curling right-footed effort over the wall and beyond the outstretched hand of Mehdi Khalil. Qatar added a second with 11 minutes remaining. Hassan’s driving run created space for Akram Afif and, when the winger received the ball, his centre found Abdulaziz Hatem, whose shot was saved by Khalil. But Almoez Ali was on hand to roll the ball into the empty net to ensure a winning start to the campaign for Qatar.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Qatar vs Lebanon
Assistant referees:Huo Weiming (China PR)Cao Yi (China PR)Fourth official:Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Singapore)Additional assistant referees:Fu Ming (China PR)Liu Kwok Man (Hong Kong)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Lebanon vs Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia found their breakthrough in the 12th minute when they latched onto a defensive mistake. Lebanon’s Joan Oumari’s back pass deflected off teammate Alexander Michel Melki’s left boot, and the ball landed near Saudi Arabia’s Fahad Al-Muwallad, who half-volleyed home from close range. Oumari failed to keep his header down in the 16th minute, while Felix Michel Melki just missed Hassan Maatouk’s free-kick eight minutes later. After the break, Hattan Bahebri took a chance from almost 30 yards out which forced a save from goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil. Bahebri turned provider in the 67th minute when his cross into the box found Housain Al-Mogahwi who made it 2–0. This win earned Saudi Arabia a ticket to the round of sixteen for the first time since the 2007 edition, in which Saudi Arabia finished runners-up.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Lebanon vs Saudi Arabia
Assistant referees:Abu Bakar Al-Amri (Oman)Rashid Al-Ghaithi (Oman)Fourth official:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Additional assistant referees:Mohanad Qassim (Iraq)Mohd Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, North Korea vs Qatar
Qatar were in front in the ninth minute when Akram Afif glided past Sim Hyon-jin before delivering a low cross to Almoez Ali that he struck past Ri Myong-guk. Qatar doubled their lead two minutes later, Abdelkarim Hassan’s ball found Hassan Al-Haydos, and his low centre was struck in the goal from close range by Ali. Ri Un-chol tried from outside the area and his drive narrowly failed to find the top corner. With just two minutes remaining in the first half, Afif lifted the ball high over the advancing Myong-guk and Boualem Khoukhi headed in from close range.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, North Korea vs Qatar
Ali completed his hat trick 10 minutes into the second half with a finish from Afif’s through ball. Five minutes later, Afif led a counterattack before rolling the ball through to Ali and he smashed his shot across Myong-guk and inside the far post. Ali turned provider in the 68th minute when his pass allowed Hassan to storm through the North Korea defence and slot home Qatar’s sixth and the east Asian side’s misery was compounded in the last minute when Jong Il-gwan was sent off for a second bookable offence.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, North Korea vs Qatar
It was North Korea's heaviest ever defeat in the Asian Cup, surpassing their previous 0–4 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening 2019 AFC Asian Cup match. Qatar's win enabled them to progress to the knock-out stages for the first time since the 2011 edition they hosted. Controversy rose around the empty stadium as very few fans were allowed to enter.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, North Korea vs Qatar
Assistant referees:Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka)Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)Fourth official:Matthew Cream (Australia)Additional assistant referees:Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Saudi Arabia vs Qatar
Mohammed Al-Owais parried away Boualem Khoukhi’s drive on 16 minutes in the first genuine threat to either goal. Housain Al-Mogahwi shot over the bar for Saudi Arabia following Yahya Al-Shehri’s probing run and cross, before Fahad Al-Muwallad struck an upright with Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb beaten. Hassan Al-Haydos' 42nd minute penalty was saved by Al-Owais however minutes later Abdulaziz Hatem’s through ball found Almoez Ali who converted to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Within five minutes of the restart Hattan Bahebri forced Al Sheeb into a save. Bahebri's effort from 15 yards fizzed narrowly over the bar on 73 minutes. Qatar extended their lead with 10 minutes remaining, Ali leaped to thump home a header from Hatem’s corner. It proved to be the final genuine goalmouth action, as Qatar held on to seal another three points.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Saudi Arabia vs Qatar
The encounter between Saudi Arabia and Qatar was dubbed the "Blockade Derby", in reference to the diplomatic disputes between the two nations. However, there was no incident in the game, with the match ending in a friendly atmosphere despite political tensions.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Saudi Arabia vs Qatar
Assistant referees:Yoon Kwang-yeol (South Korea)Park Sang-jun (South Korea)Fourth official:Cao Yi (China PR)Additional assistant referees:Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)Fu Ming (China PR)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Lebanon vs North Korea
Pak Kwang-ryong converted his free-kick in the ninth minute to give North Korea an early advantage. Lebanon, however levelled the score just before the half hour mark when Hassan Maatouk dribbled down the left before laying off for Felix Michel Melki, who smashed the ball into the back of the net. Hilal El-Helwe’s effort was cleared off the line in the 32nd minute. Felix came close to scoring his second in the 57th minute but angled his header across the bar. In the 65th minute, Mohamad Haidar’s cross found El-Helwe who turned to score from close range.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Lebanon vs North Korea
North Korea conceded a penalty after Rabih Ataya was brought down in the danger area. Maatouk converted the spot-kick in the 80th minute, sending goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk the wrong way, with a fourth coming in the eighth minute of added time through Hilal El-Helwe as Lebanon won their first ever Asian Cup encounter. However, Lebanon was edged by Vietnam in the third-place ranking on fairplay points due to receiving more yellow cards, and were eliminated from the tournament. This loss extended North Korea's winless streak, with their last win dating back to their fourth place finish in the 1980 edition.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Matches, Lebanon vs North Korea
Assistant referees:Matthew Cream (Australia)Anton Shchetinin (Australia)Fourth official:Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Singapore)Additional assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Liu Kwok Man (Hong Kong)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Discipline
Fair play points were used as tiebreakers if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied (and if a penalty shoot-out was not applicable as a tiebreaker). These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group E, Discipline
Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F
Group F of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup took place from 9 to 17 January 2019. The group consisted of Japan, Uzbekistan, Oman, and Turkmenistan. The top two teams, Japan and Uzbekistan, along with the third-placed team, Oman (as one of the four best third-placed teams), advanced to the round of 16.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F
Japan was the only former champion, and also the team which won the most titles in the Asian Cup (1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011).


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Japan vs Turkmenistan
In the 12th minute, Japan had the first chance of the game, with Ritsu Doan failing to beat Mammet Orazmuhammedow with a close-range header following a Takehiro Tomiyasu pass. Wahyt Orazsähedow forced Shūichi Gonda into a fine save, and Mekan Saparow headed over from the resulting corner. Turkmenistan continued to press, and took the lead on 27 minutes when captain Arslanmyrat Amanow unleashed a long-range effort which flew into the net. Yuya Osako then saw a lashed effort fizz narrowly wide, before Orazmuhammedow denied Tomiyasu with a fingertip save.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Japan vs Turkmenistan
As half-time approached, Turkmenistan came close to doubling their advantage, this time Ahmet Ataýew stinging Gonda's palms with an angled drive. A flicked Genki Haraguchi header sailed inches wide of the target, however in the 56th minute, Osako turned in the area and fired home to equalise the scoreline. Four minutes later Japan took the lead when Saparow's blunder allowed Yuto Nagatomo to find Osako who converted to bag his second of the match. Shortly after, Takumi Minamino found Doan who spun away from his marker and fired into the bottom corner beyond Orazmuhammedow's dive. On 79 minutes Ataýew converted from the spot after Gonda had upended substitute Altymyrat Annadurdyýew in the area. Japan held the scoreline to get the win.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Japan vs Turkmenistan
Assistant referees:Reza Sokhandan (Iran)Mohammadreza Mansouri (Iran)Fourth official:Mohamad Zainal Abidin (Malaysia)Additional assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Mohd Amirul Izwan Yaacob (Malaysia)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Uzbekistan vs Oman
In the 14th minute, Oman came close to scoring through Ahmed Kano’s header which was saved by Uzbek goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov. In the 25th minute, Saad Al-Mukhaini’s delivery from the right flank sailed for Raed Ibrahim Saleh but the forward failed to connect. Uzbekistan found the back of the net through Odil Ahmedov’s free-kick from 25 yards out, the Uzbekistan captain picked up his 18th international goal after he curled his effort past goalkeeper Faiz Al-Rushaidi. Nesterov blocked Mohammed Al-Musalami’s low drive as Uzbekistan took a 1–0 lead into the break.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Uzbekistan vs Oman
Oman came close to scoring when Ali Al-Busaidi sent a cross which found Al-Mukhaini who wasted the opportunity. Two minutes later, the defender was in goal-scoring range but saw his effort blocked. Oman finally beat Nesterov in the 72nd minute after substitute Muhsen Al-Ghassani, beat the offside trap to score past the Uzbekistan shot stopper. Five minutes from time, Eldor Shomurodov burst into the box and tried a left-footed shot that Al-Rushaidi got a hand to but failed to keep out as he was beaten at his near post. Uzbekistan, however, suffered a blow when Egor Krimets was sent off deep in stoppage time.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Uzbekistan vs Oman
Assistant referees:Yoon Kwang-yeol (South Korea)Park Sang-jun (South Korea)Fourth official:Mohd Yusri Muhamad (Malaysia)Additional assistant referees:Kim Dong-jin (South Korea)Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Oman vs Japan
Genki Haraguchi diverted Ritsu Doan’s cross onto the bar from six yards inside the first two minutes. On 20 minutes, Salaah Al-Yahyaei found Muhsen Al-Ghassani who rounded Shūichi Gonda but was unable to finish from a tight angle. Japan broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, Haraguchi picked himself up after being upended in the area by Raed Ibrahim Saleh to ram home the resulting spot-kick beyond Faiz Al-Rushaidi’s dive. With half-time approaching, Al-Yahyaei’s drive was diverted to safety by defender Yuto Nagatomo as Japan maintained their slender lead going into the break. In the second period, Saad Al-Mukhaini’s effort on 70 minutes was gathered by Gonda. An acrobatic Saleh attempt from an Al-Mukhaini cross 10 minutes later and Al-Rushaidi’s last gasp save from substitute Junya Ito proved to be the final goalmouth action of the day.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Oman vs Japan
Assistant referees:Mohd Yusri Muhamad (Malaysia)Mohamad Zainal Abidin (Malaysia)Fourth official:Anton Shchetinin (Australia)Additional assistant referees:Peter Green (Australia)Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Turkmenistan vs Uzbekistan
The two Turkic neighbors have met each other in 2004 edition, where Uzbekistan prevailed with a 1–0 win.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Turkmenistan vs Uzbekistan
Dostonbek Khamdamov’s header hit the ground before rebounding over the crossbar in the fifth minute. In the 16th minute, a string of passes ended with Javokhir Sidikov sliding the ball into an unguarded goalmouth. Eight minutes later, Otabek Shukurov sent a through pass down the middle to Eldor Shomurodov, whose effort made its way past goalkeeper Mammet Orazmuhammedow. Five minute before the break, Gurbangeldi Batyrow’s poor clearance allowed Jaloliddin Masharipov to let fly a half-volley to make it 3–0. Less than two minutes later, Masharipov turned provider with his pass finding Shomurodov, who scored his second of the night. Khamdamov's 44th minute strike was denied by the upright. Orazmuhammedow made a double save in the 55th minute to maintain the scoreline.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Turkmenistan vs Uzbekistan
Assistant referees:Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)Hasan Al-Mahri (United Arab Emirates)Fourth official:Mohammed Al-Abakry (Saudi Arabia)Additional assistant referees:Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Oman vs Turkmenistan
In the sixth minute, Muhsen Al-Ghassani's left-footed shot from the centre of the box was saved by goalkeeper Mammet Orazmuhammedow. In the 20th minute, Ahmed Kano scored a screamer with a free-kick from 25 yards out. In the 31st minute, Myrat Ýagşyýew's header was tipped over by goalkeeper Faiz Al-Rushaidi. Turkmenistan equalised in the 41st minute with Altymyrat Annadurdyýew evading several Oman players before unleashing his shot from the left into the top left corner. Oman came close in the 55th and 56th minutes - through a header by Mohammed Al-Musalami and a shot by Khalid Al-Hajri respectively.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Oman vs Turkmenistan
Muhsen went for the spectacular in the 68th minute with an overhead kick which Orazmuhammedow saved and the goalkeeper stood tall again just seconds later to deny Kano on the left, with the ball seemingly headed for the top of the net. Orazmuhammedow, however, was finally beaten in the 84th minute with Muhsen sweeping the ball in after the goalkeeper had parried an initial effort. Three minutes into added time, Al-Musalami jumped high to head home Oman's third goal of the day to gain the win, and more importantly, guiding Oman to the round of sixteen for the first time ever in the country's football history, having failed in three previous editions.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Oman vs Turkmenistan
Assistant referees:Yaser Tulefat (Bahrain)Mohamed Salman (Bahrain)Fourth official:Miguel Hernández (Mexico)Additional assistant referees:César Ramos (Mexico)Khamis Al-Kuwari (Qatar)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Japan vs Uzbekistan
Koya Kitagawa forced Ignatiy Nesterov into action 10 minutes before the break when his shot on the turn was tipped over by the keeper. With five minutes left in the half, Uzbekistan took the lead, Eldor Shomurodov latched on to Dostonbek Khamdamov’s through ball to outpace Tomoaki Makino before stepping inside Genta Miura and clipping the finish into the top corner with the outside of his right boot.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Japan vs Uzbekistan
The lead, though, was to last only three minutes as Sei Muroya turned on the left touchline before outstripping Farrukh Sayfiev and sending over a cross towards Yoshinori Muto, who rose to power his header home. Nesterov parried Junya Ito’s shot nine minutes after the restart while Muto went close seconds later, shooting just over the bar. Two minutes before the hour mark Tsukasa Shiotani's left-foot strike from distance curled away from Nesterov to put Japan in front. Davron Khashimov forced Daniel Schmidt to tip his long-range drive over the bar in the final minutes as Japan closed out the game to take their third win in a row and advance to the next round with a perfect record.


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Matches, Japan vs Uzbekistan
Assistant referees:Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)Hasan Al-Mahri (United Arab Emirates)Fourth official:Huo Weiming (China PR)Additional assistant referees:Ammar Al-Jeneibi (United Arab Emirates)Ali Sabah (Iraq)


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Discipline
Fair play points were used as tiebreakers if the head-to-head and overall records of teams were tied (and if a penalty shoot-out was not applicable as a tiebreaker). These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:


2019 AFC Asian Cup Group F, Discipline
Only one of the above deductions was applied to a player in a single match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids
The bidding process for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup was the process by which the location for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup that United Arab Emirates was chosen as the hosts. The process officially began on 15 December 2012 and ended on 2 February 2013.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids
The AFC Competitions Committee confirmed on 12 March 2013 that 11 countries expressed interest in hosting the 2019 AFC Asian Cup: Bahrain, China, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Lebanon, Malaysia and Myanmar pulled out before the deadline to submit all documents on 31 August 2013.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids
The tournament will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids, Bidding process
The bidding procedure and timeline was approved at the AFC congress that was held on 28 November 2012. Presentation files of each bid have to be submitted by 1 May 2013. Following this, inspections of facilities and infrastructure of the bidding nations is expected to be conducted between October and December 2013. Bidding nations will then have to prepare their final presentation by May 2014, the final deadline. The winning bid was originally set to be announced at an AFC congress in June, then November of 2014.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids, Bidding process
At its 60th Anniversary celebrations at the end of 2014, a date of 'summer 2015' was given to when an announcement would be made.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids, Bids, Iran
After their unsuccessful bid to host the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Iranian Football Federation president Ali Kafashian stated the renewed intentions for the country to host the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Iran has previously hosted editions in 1968 and 1976, in which Iran won in both editions. The federation has proposed the use of stadia:  Shahid Bahonar Stadium in Kerman, Nagshe Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, Sahand Stadium in Tabriz, Azadi Stadium and Takhti Stadium in Tehran, and Shiraz Stadium in Shiraz.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids, Bids, United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates Football Association also confirmed their bid by handing in their formal bid papers on the final day the Asian Football Confederation would accept applications. If selected, it would be the second time the UAE has hosted the AFC Asian Cup, having hosted the event in 1996. On 29 May 2014, a delegation from the UAE visited the AFC to submit their bid book. The nominated stadiums are Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium and Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and a new stadium to be built by 2018, which would be located in Dubai.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids, Cancelled bids, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia also confirmed they would be competing to host the competition, with Prince Nawaf bin Faisal (president of Youth Welfare), saying authorities had approved the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee’s plan. This is the first time it has made a bid to host the Asian Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup bids, Cancelled bids, Thailand
Thailand was the venue for 1972 edition and last hosted in 2007, serving as co-hosts with Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. 5 cities have sent hosting requests to the FAT, including Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage
The knockout stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup was the second and final stage of the competition, following the group stage. It began on 20 January with the round of 16 and ended on 1 February with the final match, held at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. A total of 16 teams (the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams) advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination style tournament.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Format
In the knockout stage, if a match is level at the end of 90 minutes of normal playing time, extra time will be played (two periods of 15 minutes each). If still tied after extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner. The video assistant referee (VAR) system will be used from the quarter-finals onwards. For the first time since a knockout stage was added to the competition in 1972, there will be no third place play-off.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Format
The AFC set out the following schedule for the round of 16:


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Format, Combinations of matches in the round of 16
The specific match-ups involving the third-placed teams depended on which four third-placed teams qualified for the round of 16:


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Qualified teams
The top two placed teams from each of the six groups, plus the four best-placed third teams, qualified for the knockout stage.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Jordan vs Vietnam
The two had already faced each other in earlier 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, all games ended in draws.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Jordan vs Vietnam
Jordan came close in the 20th minute when Musa Al-Taamari lured three defenders out of position before his back-heel pass found Feras Shelbaieh, whose cross to Yaseen Al-Bakhit saw his effort going wide. In the 35th minute, Đoàn Văn Hậu left-footed strike was parried away by Amer Shafi. Jordan took the lead in the 38th minute after Đỗ Hùng Dũng brought Salem Al-Ajalin down just outside the box, and Baha' Abdel-Rahman scored from the resultant free-kick into the top right corner of the net.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Jordan vs Vietnam
Six minutes into the second half, Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng sent in a curling cross in front of the goal mouth which Nguyễn Công Phượng squeezed past the Jordanian defenders for the equaliser. Neither side managed to find a route to goal in the remaining minutes, forcing the first ever AFC Asian Cup last-16 tie to go into extra-time. Neither side was willing to take unnecessary risks in extra-time, as penalties were needed to decide the tie.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Jordan vs Vietnam
Jordan were the first to miss with Baha' Faisal striking the crossbar which was then followed by Ahmed Samir's effort saved by Vietnam goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm. Vietnam's Trần Minh Vương then failed to put the game to bed with Vietnam's fourth effort but Bùi Tiến Dũng I made no mistake as the Southeast Asians sealed their first knockout stage's win and marched into the quarter-finals.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Jordan vs Vietnam
The win meant that since reunification, Vietnam had reached the quarter-finals in all their two Asian Cups they participated, but this was also the country's first ever win in the knockout stage, though technically it was a draw. For Jordan, the loss meant they have never won any competitive knockout stage games in their Asian Cup history.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Jordan vs Vietnam
Assistant referees:Reza Sokhandan (Iran)Mohammadreza Mansouri (Iran)Fourth official:Abu Bakar Al-Amri (Oman)Additional assistant referees:Mohanad Qassim (Iraq)Liu Kwok Man (Hong Kong)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Thailand vs China PR
China has only faced Thailand once in the AFC Asian Cup, back in 1992 which ended in a 1–1 draw.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Thailand vs China PR
In the 31st minute, Thitipan Puangchan’s shot ended up at Supachai Jaided’s feet who turned and scored from seven yards out to open the scoring. Yu Dabao made way for Xiao Zhi and, within three minutes, China were level as Zheng Zhi clipped his cross in from the right and Xiao scored on the rebound after Siwarak Tedsungnoen had saved the striker’s initial downward header.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Thailand vs China PR
By the 71st minute China were in front when Gao Lin scored from the spot after having his heels clipped in the area by Tanaboon Kesarat, the forward fired high into the top corner to give his team the lead. A flying save from Yan Junling deep into injury time following Pansa Hemviboon’s shot ensured the East Asians to win their first knockout stage's match since 2004 and progressed.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Thailand vs China PR
Assistant referees:Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)Hasan Al-Mahri (United Arab Emirates)Fourth official:Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka)Additional assistant referees:Ammar Al-Jeneibi (United Arab Emirates)Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Iran vs Oman
Iran and Oman had only met once in the tournament, a 2–2 draw back in 2004.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Iran vs Oman
Oman were awarded a penalty in the third minute when Majid Hosseini brought down Muhsen Al-Ghassani, only for Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand to tip Ahmed Kano’s effort from 12 yards around the post. Iran broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, Alireza Jahanbakhsh fired home after Mohammed Al-Musalami had failed to cut out Milad Mohammadi’s long ball. Nine minutes later, Mehdi Taremi was brought down in the area by Saad Al-Mukhaini and Ashkan Dejagah stepped up to convert the resulting penalty. Eight minutes after the restart, Sardar Azmoun missed the target from 12 yards when Taremi’s long throw arrived at his feet. Harib Al-Saadi fizzed a 77th minute shot inches over Beiranvand’s bar. Iran held firm to confirm their place in the quarter-finals.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Iran vs Oman
Assistant referees:Miguel Hernández (Mexico)Alberto Morín (Mexico)Fourth official:Matthew Cream (Australia)Additional assistant referees:Chris Beath (Australia)Ali Sabah (Iraq)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Japan vs Saudi Arabia
Japan and Saudi Arabia have met each other in four previous Asian Cup editions, with Japan holds the better record, edging Saudi Arabia with only one loss and four wins.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Japan vs Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Al-Fatil sneaked in a header from the centre of the box from a set-piece situation, but the defender placed it wide of the mark. Japan came close six minutes later with Ritsu Doan finding space in the danger area after collecting Takumi Minamino’s pass but saw his effort blocked by the Saudi defence. Japan scored the opening goal in the 20th minute as Takehiro Tomiyasu rose the highest to nod the ball home.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Japan vs Saudi Arabia
With five minutes left in the half, Hattan Bahebri muscled his way into the box, but his curling shot flew past the right post, as Japan stayed ahead going into the break. In the second half, Maya Yoshida connected with a header from Gaku Shibasaki’s delivery but Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais collected it safely. In the 73rd minute, Abdullah Otayf found Housain Al-Mogahwi lurking in the box but the midfielder sent his header high above the bar as Japan soaked up the pressure to seal their quarter-final spot.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Japan vs Saudi Arabia
Assistant referees:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)Fourth official:Sergei Grishchenko (Kyrgyzstan)Additional assistant referees:Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Australia vs Uzbekistan
Eldor Shomurodov’s change of pace left Trent Sainsbury flat-footed in the penalty area, only for Mathew Ryan to deny the striker’s effort when in on the Australian goal. Two minutes before the half hour, Uzbekistan went close as Javokhir Sidikov let fly from distance, the ball going narrowly wide of Ryan’s right post. In the second half, Jamie Maclaren’s blocked shot looped up for Rhyan Grant to head into the hands of Ignatiy Nesterov while the full-back was also on the end of Milos Degenek’s diagonal ball, sending his header over the bar from an acute angle.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Australia vs Uzbekistan
Nesterov was on hand to push away Tom Rogic’s deflected effort 10 minutes from time. With the 90 minutes finishing goalless, the game went into extra-time and Chris Ikonomidis, Mathew Leckie and Rogic all failed to break the deadlock for the defending champions, leaving the game to drift towards a shootout.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Australia vs Uzbekistan
Nesterov saved Aziz Behich's penalty in the second round of the shootout before Islom Tukhtakhodjaev was denied by Ryan and, with Dostonbek Khamdamov missing in the penultimate round, Leckie struck to take Australia through.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Australia vs Uzbekistan
Assistant referees:Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)Fourth official:Palitha Hemathunga (Sri Lanka)Additional assistant referees:Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, United Arab Emirates vs Kyrgyzstan
The Emiratis went ahead in the 13th minute through a Khamis Esmaeel header from Ismail Matar’s corner. Kyrgyzstan bounced back shortly before the half-hour mark, Akhlidin Israilov’s pass found Mirlan Murzaev who rounded UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and finished to draw his side level. Matar threatened to restore the UAE’s lead when he fizzed a shot from distance narrowly over as the first half drew to a close. After the break, Ali Mabkhout headed Bandar Al-Ahbabi’s cross inches wide of the post, before a curling Valery Kichin delivery thudded against Eisa’s crossbar with the custodian beaten. In the 64th minute, the UAE went ahead once again, this time Mabkhout collected Amer Abdulrahman’s pass and shot the ball beyond Kutman Kadyrbekov. Tursunali Rustamov headed home a last gasp equaliser following Anton Zemlianukhin’s cross to send the match into extra-time.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, United Arab Emirates vs Kyrgyzstan
Mabkhout spurned an early chance in the second minute of the additional 30, before – just 60 seconds later – the striker was brought down in the area by Bekzhan Sagynbaev. Substitute Ahmed Khalil stepped up to convert the resulting penalty and put his side ahead yet again. Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov’s header then brushed an upright and Rustamov crashed a shot against the bar in the final seconds. However, the UAE held firm to seal their ticket through to the last eight.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, United Arab Emirates vs Kyrgyzstan
Assistant referees:Huo Weiming (China PR)Cao Yi (China PR)Fourth official:Yoon Kwang-yeol (South Korea)Additional assistant referees:Ma Ning (China PR)Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, South Korea vs Bahrain
Mohamed Marhoon forced Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu into a dive but his effort flew wide in the fourth minute. Two minutes from the half-time whistle, Son Heung-min laid a pass to Lee Yong on the right flank, who then sent the ball into the box which was blocked by goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar Alawi, only for it to land at Hwang Hee-chan’s feet who then tapped it into the net.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, South Korea vs Bahrain
In the 70th minute, the Korean defenders failed to cleanly clear a corner kick, allowing Jamal Rashid to fire a shot which seemed heading into the top right corner, only for Seung-gyu to palm it out. The Korean defence was breached for the first time in the tournament when Mohamed Al Romaihi slammed the ball into the net after Hong Chul had made a last ditch clearance of Mahdi Al-Humaidan’s attempt. Hwang Ui-jo intercepted a poor back pass in added time but his attempt to curl the ball past an onrushing Alawi went wide. The tie was then subsequently forced into extra-time.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, South Korea vs Bahrain
Bahrain were caught off guard when Yong sent in a cross from the right which Kim Jin-su met with a header to seal his team's place in the quarter-finals.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, South Korea vs Bahrain
Assistant referees:Hiroshi Yamauchi (Japan)Jun Mihara (Japan)Fourth official:Anton Shchetinin (Australia)Additional assistant referees:Jumpei Iida (Japan)Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Qatar vs Iraq
Qatar spurned the first opportunity of the game when Abdelkarim Hassan rattled the bar with a shot from close-range following Abdulaziz Hatem’s cross in the fourth minute. Hatem came close to connecting with Abdelkarim’s whipped delivery, only for goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb to then dive at the feet of an onrushing Mohanad Ali to repel Iraq’s opening attack of the tie. Abdelkarim’s deflected cross brushed an upright and Bassam Al-Rawi headed Akram Afif’s corner wide of the target. Qatar went ahead on 62 minutes after Al-Rawi curled home a free-kick.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Qatar vs Iraq
Moments later, Jalal Hassan spread himself well to deny Abdelkarim, before producing another fine stop to keep out a Hatem drive from distance. Ali Adnan flashed a free-kick inches past the post and then Ahmad Ibrahim's 80th minute header missed by a similarly fine margin. Qatar held firm despite late Iraqi pressure to win their first ever knockout stage's match and moved on to the next round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Qatar vs Iraq
Assistant referees:Ronnie Koh Min Kiat (Singapore)Sergei Grishchenko (Kyrgyzstan)Fourth official:Rashid Al-Ghaithi (Oman)Additional assistant referees:Hettikamkanamge Perera (Sri Lanka)Ahmed Al-Ali (Jordan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, Vietnam vs Japan
Koya Kitagawa’s pass to Genki Haraguchi in the 23rd minute was slid out of play by Vietnam defender Đỗ Duy Mạnh. The resulting corner saw Haraguchi send in a curler that found Maya Yoshida, who headed the ball into the back of the net. However, VAR was called into action for the first time in the history of the AFC Asian Cup and much to Vietnam’s relief, the referee disallowed the goal as Yoshida’s header had deflected off his arm.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, Vietnam vs Japan
Shūichi Gonda was forced into making his first save of the game as Phan Văn Đức came close with a 37th minute strike, before being called into action again a minute later to deny another close-range attempt from the Văn Đức. Ritsu Doan’s run was blocked by Bùi Tiến Dũng I and the referee, after referring to the VAR, awarded a penalty which the Japanese midfielder converted in the 57th minute. Substitute Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy came close in the 73rd minute as his low drive missed the upright by mere inches.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, Vietnam vs Japan
Assistant referees:Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)Hasan Al-Mahri (United Arab Emirates)Fourth official:Ammar Al-Jeneibi (United Arab Emirates)Video assistant referee:Chris Beath (Australia)Assistant video assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Paolo Valeri (Italy)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, China PR vs Iran
In the 18th minute, Sardar Azmoun robbed Feng Xiaoting before squaring the ball to Mehdi Taremi who fired home to give Iran the lead. The Iranians then spurned a chance to double their advantage when Hossein Kanaanizadegan found Taremi from Ashkan Dejagah’s free-kick only to somehow miss the target from only three yards. Azmoun out-muscled Liu Yiming and rounded goalkeeper Yan Junling to score shortly after the half-hour mark. After the break, Taremi and Kanaanizadegan looped headers narrowly over the bar, before Alireza Jahanbakhsh curled an effort narrowly wide of Yan’s left-hand upright on 58 minutes. Substitute Yu Dabao missed from close-range with 10 minutes remaining leaving Karim Ansarifard to net another for Iran after yet another defensive error. The victory allowed Iran to play in the semi-finals for the first time since 2004 edition where they finished third-place.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, China PR vs Iran
Assistant referees:Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)Fourth official:César Ramos (Mexico)Video assistant referee:Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)Assistant video assistant referees:Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, South Korea vs Qatar
Akram Afif brought a save out of goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu shortly after the half-hour mark. Moments later, midfielder Hwang In-beom curled a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area after Qatar had failed to adequately deal with Lee Yong’s free-kick. In the second half, Hwang Ui-jo controlled the ball before bringing a fine save out of Qatar custodian Saad Al Sheeb. Kim Jin-su grazed the outside of an upright with a free-kick, before Qatar took the lead minutes later.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, South Korea vs Qatar
Gathering possession some 25 yards from goal, Abdulaziz Hatem sent the ball past Seung-gyu’s dive and into the bottom corner. Within seconds Ui-Jo had a goal ruled out by the VAR for offside, while Boualem Khoukhi’s overhead kick was repelled by Seung-gyu. Late and intense South Korea pressure failed to find the equaliser, leaving Qatar to progress to the next round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, South Korea vs Qatar
Assistant referees:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)Fourth official:Ma Ning (China PR)Video assistant referee:Paolo Valeri (Italy)Assistant video assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Fu Ming (China PR)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, United Arab Emirates vs Australia
Mathew Ryan denied the hosts at the 20 minute mark when Ismail Al Hammadi stepped inside Trent Sainsbury to fire off an effort that the Socceroos keeper pushed away. With five minutes left in the half, Apostolos Giannou's shot on goal was swatted clear by Khalid Eisa. At the other end, Ali Mabkhout headed over from close range. In the second half, Giannou had the ball in the net following the introduction of Mathew Leckie for Jamie Maclaren, but his effort was ruled out for offside.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, United Arab Emirates vs Australia
In the 68th minute, Mabkhout put the UAE ahead with their first opening of the second period, the forward stepped in to intercept Milos Degenek’s backpass before rounding Ryan to score. Australia attempted to claw back an equaliser but the Socceroos came up short to end their reign as Asian champions.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, United Arab Emirates vs Australia
Assistant referees:Yaser Tulefat (Bahrain)Jun Mihara (Japan)Fourth official:Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)Video assistant referee:Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)Assistant video assistant referees:Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)César Ramos (Mexico)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Iran vs Japan
Iran and Japan have faced each other in three previous Asian Cup editions, with Japan won one and drew two other games. Iran has also never scored a goal on Japan in every Asian Cup they met.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Iran vs Japan
Yuya Osako’s ball found space behind Alireza Jahanbakhsh and the advancing Yuto Nagatomo sent in a low cross that Takumi Minamino steered wide. Maya Yoshida headed wide from Gaku Shibasaki’s corner while Ritsu Doan dragged his attempt just wide of goal. In the opening minutes of the second half, Ashkan Dejagah and Ehsan Hajsafi both saw their attempts miss the target. Moments later, Hossein Kanaanizadegan turned to protest to the referee following a collision with Minamino and, while the official ignored the Iranian pleas, Minamino sent in a cross which was headed home by Osako.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Iran vs Japan
Jahanbakhsh almost restored parity five minutes later, only for Shūichi Gonda to tip his free-kick over the bar while Morteza Pouraliganji headed just off target moments later. Minamino's pass into the centre struck the sliding Pouraliganji on the arm. The resulting penalty saw Osako send Alireza Beiranvand the wrong way to double Japan's lead. In added time, Genki Haraguchi added the third with a burst through the defence before smashing his shot past Beiranvand to confirm Japan’s progress to the final.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Iran vs Japan
The loss, for Iran, meant that the country's Asian Cup thirst has been extended to 47 years, since the last win back in 1976 when Iran hosted the competition. For Japan, since professionalization of football in 1990s, Japan has made into the final in five editions out of eight, which remains as a record.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Iran vs Japan
Assistant referees:Matthew Cream (Australia)Anton Shchetinin (Australia)Fourth official:Kim Dong-jin (South Korea)Video assistant referee:Paolo Valeri (Italy)Assistant video assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Qatar vs United Arab Emirates
Qatar took the lead at the 22nd minute, Boualem Khoukhi’s angled drive from 18 yards found its way under Khalid Eisa’s dive and into the net. The UAE responded through an Ismail Al Hammadi header which was saved by Saad Al Sheeb, and a similar effort from Ali Mabkhout that fizzed wide of the target shortly before the half-hour mark. Qatar doubled their lead in the 38th minute. Akram Afif found Almoez Ali who advanced into the area before firing home via a post to equal Ali Daei’s record for the most goals by a player at Asia’s premier event.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Qatar vs United Arab Emirates
Shortly after, Al Sheeb was on hand to deny Ahmed Khalil. Qatar added a third in the 81st minute when captain Hassan Al-Haydos manoeuvred past Bandar Al-Ahbabi and clipped the ball over Eisa. After the UAE’s Ismail Ahmed was shown a straight red card late on for dangerous play, substitute Hamid Ismail rounded off the scoring to confirm Qatar's place in the final.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Qatar vs United Arab Emirates
The match was marred by bottle and footwear-throwing incidents committed by the UAE supporters. This conduct was preceded by booing the Qatari national anthem. The two countries have had a hostile relationship and had cut ties due to the ongoing diplomatic crisis.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Semi-finals, Qatar vs United Arab Emirates
Assistant referees:Miguel Hernández (Mexico)Alberto Morín (Mexico)Fourth official:Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)Video assistant referee:Paolo Valeri (Italy)Assistant video assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Chris Beath (Australia)


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Final
Japan began the match with two set piece chances, but neither was able to provide a scoring chance. Qatar's Almoez Ali opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a bicycle kick from 15 yards (14 m) after juggling a ball received from Akram Afif. With his ninth goal of the tournament, Ali took the record for most goals scored during an Asian Cup that was previously held by Iranian Ali Daei. Abdulaziz Hatem scored Qatar's next goal in the 27th minute, shooting from 25 yards (75 ft) past Japanese goalkeeper Shūichi Gonda towards the top corner.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Final
Japan regained possession and found several scoring chances before and after halftime, including a missed header from Yoshinori Muto and several corner kicks, but were unable to produce a shot on goal. Qatar received an early chance to score their third goal in the 56th minute on a counterattack, but the shot by Hatem went over the crossbar. The lead was cut to 2–1 with a 69th-minute goal from close range by Takumi Minamino—the first to be conceded by Qatar during the tournament.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Final
Qatar were awarded a penalty kick in the 82nd minute by the video assistant referee for a handball by Japanese captain Maya Yoshida, who blocked a shot from a corner kick. The penalty was converted by Akram Afif to give Qatar a 3–1 lead that they kept until the end of the match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage, Final
Assistant referees:Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)Fourth official:Ma Ning (China PR)Reserve assistant referee:Huo Weiming (China PR)Video assistant referee:Paolo Valeri (Italy)Assistant video assistant referees:Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)Chris Beath (Australia)


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
The 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification was the qualification process organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to determine the participating teams for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the 17th edition of the international men's football championship of Asia. For the first time, the Asian Cup final tournament was contested by 24 teams, having been expanded from the 16-team format that was used from 2004 to 2015.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
The qualification process involved four rounds, where the first two doubled as the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification for Asian teams.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Format
The proposal to merge the preliminary qualification rounds for FIFA World Cup qualifiers with those for the Asian Cup was ratified by the AFC Competitions Committee.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Format
The play-off round represented a change from the initially announced qualification format – which saw the remaining fourth-placed teams and the four best group fifth-placed teams also advance to the third round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Entrants
46 FIFA-affiliated nations from the AFC entered qualification. In order to determine which nations would compete in the first round and which nations would receive a bye through to the second round, the FIFA World Rankings of January 2015 were used (shown in parentheses).


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Entrants
Due to the joint format of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, the hosts of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the United Arab Emirates also entered the second round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers despite having qualified automatically.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Entrants
Northern Mariana Islands, which is not a FIFA member, were not eligible to enter.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, First round
The draw for the first round was held on 10 February 2015, 15:30 MST (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, First round
The six teams eliminated from this stage progressed to the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Second round
The draw for the second round was held on 14 April 2015, 17:00 MST (UTC+8), at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Second round, Ranking of runner-up teams
To determine the four best runner-up teams, the following criteria are used:


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Second round, Ranking of runner-up teams
As a result of Indonesia being disqualified due to FIFA suspension, Group F contained only four teams compared to five teams in all other groups. Therefore, the results against the fifth-placed team were not counted when determining the ranking of the runner-up teams.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Second round, Ranking of fourth-placed teams
To determine the four best fourth-placed teams, the following criteria were used:


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Second round, Ranking of fourth-placed teams
As a result of Indonesia being disqualified due to FIFA suspension, Group F contained only four teams compared to five teams in all other groups. Therefore, the results against the fifth-placed team are not counted when determining the ranking of the fourth-placed teams.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Play-off round
At an AFC Competition Committee meeting in November 2014, it was decided that two rounds of play-off matches would be introduced into the qualification procedure to determine the final eight teams for the main qualifying round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Play-off round
A total of eight slots for the third round were available from this round (five from round 1, three from round 2). The three teams eliminated from this stage progressed to the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Play-off round
The draw for the play-off round was held on 7 April 2016, 15:00 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Play-off round, Round 1
The lowest seeded team, Bhutan, received a bye, and the remaining ten teams were drawn into five pairs. Each pair played two home-and-away matches, with the winners qualifying for the third round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Play-off round, Round 1
Note: Timor-Leste were ordered by the AFC to forfeit both matches against Malaysia due to the use of falsified documents for their players. Both matches originally ended as 3–0 wins to Malaysia.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Play-off round, Round 2
The five losers from round 1 joined Bhutan in this round. The six teams were drawn into three pairs. Each pair played two home-and-away matches, with the winners qualifying for the third round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Third round
A total of 24 teams competed in the third round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Since the 2019 hosts United Arab Emirates advanced to the third round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the automatic slot for the hosts was no longer necessary, and a total of 12 slots for the AFC Asian Cup were available from this round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Third round
Due to the withdrawal of Guam and the suspension of Kuwait, the AFC decided to invite both Nepal and Macau, the top two teams of the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup, to re-enter 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification as replacements in order to maintain 24 teams in the third round of the competition.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Third round
The draw for the third round was held on 23 January 2017, 16:00 GST, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round
The play-off round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification was played from 2 June to 11 October 2016.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Format
A total of 11 teams (the four lowest-ranked fourth-placed teams and the seven fifth-placed teams of the Asian Cup qualifying second round) competed in the play-off round. Originally, 12 teams were supposed to compete, but there were only seven instead of eight fifth-placed teams after Indonesia were disqualified due to FIFA suspension.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Format
The play-off round consisted of two rounds of home-and-away two-legged play-off matches to determine the final eight qualifiers for the Asian Cup qualifying third round:


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Format
The five Round 1 winners and three Round 2 winners joined the 16 teams which advanced directly from the Asian Cup qualifying second round to the third round, to compete for the final 12 slots in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Format
The three Round 2 losers joined the six teams which lost in the Asian Cup qualifying first round, to compete for the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Seeding
The draw for the play-off round was held on 7 April 2016, 15:00 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Seeding
The teams were seeded based on their results in the Asian Cup qualifying second round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Seeding
In Round 1, each tie contained a team from Pot 1 and a team from Pot 2, with the team from Pot 1 hosting the first leg.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Seeding
In Round 2, there were no seeding. As the draw was held before Round 1 was played, the identities of the Round 1 losers were not known at the time of the draw.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches
Each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The away goals rule, extra time (away goals do not apply in extra time) and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary (Regulations Article 10.3).


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 1
The first legs were played on 2 June, and the second legs were played on 6–7 June 2016.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 1
Note: Timor-Leste were ordered by the AFC to forfeit both matches against Malaysia due to the use of falsified documents for their players. Both matches originally ended as 3–0 wins to Malaysia.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 1
Cambodia won 4–2 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Chinese Taipei entered round 2.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 1
Yemen won 4–0 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Maldives entered round 2.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 1
Tajikistan won 6–0 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Bangladesh entered round 2.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 1
Malaysia won 6–0 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Timor-Leste entered round 2.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 1
India won 7–1 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Laos entered round 2.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 2
The first legs were played on 6 September and 8 October, and the second legs were played on 10 and 11 October 2016.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 2
Maldives won 5–1 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Laos were eligible to enter the Solidarity Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 2
Bhutan won 3–1 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Bangladesh were eligible to enter the Solidarity Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Matches, Round 2
Chinese Taipei won 4–2 on aggregate and advanced to the Asian Cup qualifying third round. Timor-Leste were eligible to enter the Solidarity Cup.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Play-off Round, Goalscorers
There were 46 goals scored in 16 matches, for an average of 2.88 goals per match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round
The third round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification was played from 26 March 2017 to 27 March 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Format
A total of 24 teams (16 teams which advanced from the second round and eight teams which advanced from the play-off round) compete in the third round to compete for the final 12 slots in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Since the hosts United Arab Emirates advanced to the third round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, the automatic slot for the hosts is no longer necessary.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Format
The 24 teams were divided into six groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The top two teams of each group will qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where they are joined by the 12 teams which qualified directly from the second round.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Qualified teams
Due to the withdrawal of Guam and the suspension of Kuwait, the AFC invited both Nepal and Macau, the top two teams of the 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup, to re-enter 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification as replacements in order to maintain 24 teams in the third round of the competition.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Draw
The draw for the third round was held on 23 January 2017, 16:00 GST (UTC+4), in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was initially scheduled for 18 January 2017, but was delayed.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Draw
The 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four. They were seeded using the January 2017 FIFA World Rankings (indicated in parentheses below).


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Draw
The national teams which eventually qualified are presented in bold.


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Groups
The teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers were applied in the following order (Regulations Article 9.3):


2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – Third Round, Goalscorers
There were 243 goals scored in 72 matches, for an average of 3.38 goals per match.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads
The 2019 AFC Asian Cup was an international football tournament that was held in the United Arab Emirates from 5 January to 1 February 2019. The 24 national teams involved in the tournament were required to register a squad with a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 23 players, at least three of whom must be goalkeepers. Only players in these squads were eligible to take part in the tournament.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads
Before announcing their final squads, several teams named a provisional squad of 18 to 50 players; each country's final squad had to be submitted at least ten days prior to the first match of the tournament. Replacement of players was permitted until six hours before the team's first Asian Cup game. The AFC published the final lists with squad numbers on 27 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads
The position listed for each player is per the official squad list published by AFC. The age listed for each player is as of 5 January 2019, the first day of the tournament. The numbers of caps and goals listed for each player do not include any matches played after the start of tournament. The nationality for each club reflects the national association (not the league) to which the club is affiliated. A flag is included for coaches that are of a different nationality than their own national team.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group A, United Arab Emirates
The final squad was announced on 23 December 2018. Mahmoud Khamees was replaced by Al Hassan Saleh on 25 December. Rayan Yaslam was replaced by Mohammed Khalfan on 31 December due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group A, Thailand
Coach:  Milovan Rajevac (6 January 2019) / Sirisak Yodyardthai (from 10 January 2019)


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group A, Thailand
The 27-man provisional squad was announced on 14 December 2018. The squad was reduced to 26 players on 26 December as Kawin Thamsatchanan was ruled out due to injury. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018. Following the opening match, coach Milovan Rajevac was sacked and replaced by Sirisak Yodyardthai on 7 January 2019.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group A, India
The 34-man provisional squad was announced on 12 December 2018. The squad was reduced to 28 players on 19 December. The final squad was announced on 26 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group A, Bahrain
The 28-man provisional squad was announced on 7 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group B, Australia
The final squad was announced on 20 December 2018. On 24 December 2018, James Jeggo was called up instead of the injured Aaron Mooy. On 2 January 2019, Martin Boyle was replaced by Apostolos Giannou due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group B, Syria
Coach:  Bernd Stange (6–10 January 2019) / Fajr Ibrahim (from 15 January 2019)


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group B, Syria
The final squad was announced on 23 December 2018. Bernd Stange was sacked and replaced by Fajr Ibrahim, following the team's loss to Jordan.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group B, Palestine
The 28-man provisional squad was announced on 5 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 26 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group B, Jordan
The 29-man provisional squad was announced on 13 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 26 December 2018. Yazan Thalji was replaced by Ihsan Haddad on 5 January 2019 due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group C, South Korea
The final squad was announced on 20 December 2018. Na Sang-ho was replaced by Lee Seung-woo on 6 January 2019 due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group C, China PR
The 25-man provisional squad was announced on 17 December 2018. The squad was reduced to 24 players on 26 December as Li Xuepeng was ruled out due to injury. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018. Guo Quanbo was replaced by Zhang Lu on 5 January 2019 due to Zhang's recover from his injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group C, Kyrgyzstan
The 35-man provisional squad was announced on 3 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018. Viktor Maier was replaced by Pavel Sidorenko on 2 January 2019 due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group C, Philippines
The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018. Paul Mulders was replaced by Amani Aguinaldo on 6 January 2019.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group D, Iran
The 35-man provisional squad was announced on 10 December 2018. The squad was reduced to 34 players on 25 December as Saeid Ezatolahi was ruled out due to injury. The final squad was announced on 26 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group D, Iraq
The 27-man provisional squad was announced on 4 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018. On 30 December 2018, Mahdi Kamel was replaced by Mohammed Dawood.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group D, Vietnam
The 27-man provisional squad was announced on 18 December 2018. On 25 December 2018, Lục Xuân Hưng was replaced by Hồ Tấn Tài due to injury. On 26 December 2018, the squad was reduced to 24 players. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group D, Yemen
The 35-man provisional squad was announced on 4 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group E, Saudi Arabia
The final squad was announced on 20 December 2018. Salman Al-Faraj was replaced by Nooh Al-Mousa on 6 January 2019 due to injury. Abdullah Al-Khaibari was replaced by Sultan Al-Ghanam on 7 January 2019 due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group E, Qatar
The 27-man provisional squad was announced on 12 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018. Ahmed Moein was replaced by Khaled Mohammed on 3 January 2019 due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group E, Lebanon
The 27-man provisional squad was announced on 18 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 26 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group F, Japan
The final squad was announced on 13 December 2018. Takuma Asano was replaced by Yoshinori Muto on 19 December 2018 due to injury. Shoya Nakajima was replaced by Takashi Inui and Hidemasa Morita was replaced by Tsukasa Shiotani on 5 January 2019 due to injury.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group F, Uzbekistan
The 27-man provisional squad was announced on 15 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 24 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group F, Oman
The 26-man provisional squad was announced on 18 December 2018. Ali Al-Habsi was replaced by Ammar Al-Rushaidi due to an injury on 25 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 26 December 2018.


2019 AFC Asian Cup squads, Group F, Turkmenistan
The 29-man provisional squad was announced on 20 December 2018. The final squad was announced on 27 December 2018.


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship
The 2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship was the ninth edition of the AFC Beach Soccer Championship (second official edition), the premier beach soccer tournament contested by Asian men's national teams, organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship
The tournament took place in Pattaya, Thailand between 7–17 March 2019. The championship also acts as the qualification tournament for Asian teams to the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay; the top three teams qualify.


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship
Iran were the defending champions but failed to defend the title after losing Japan in the quarter-final. Japan becomes the champion after beating UAE in final, becoming the first team to win the tournament three times.


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Draw
The draw of the tournament was held on 3 December 2018 in Pattaya, Thailand. The 15 teams were drawn into three groups of four teams and one group of three teams. The teams were seeded according to their performance in the 2017 AFC Beach Soccer Championship final tournament, with the hosts Thailand automatically seeded and assigned to Position A1 in the draw.


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Squads
Each team must register a squad of 12 players, minimum two of whom must be goalkeepers (Regulations Articles 26.1 and 26.2).


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Group stage
Each team earns three points for a win in regulation time, two points for a win in extra time, one point for a win in a penalty shoot-out, and no points for a defeat. The top two teams of each group advanced to the quarter-finals.


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Group stage
Teams are ranked according to points, and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings (Regulations Article 10.5):


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Knockout stage
In the knockout stage, extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary, except for the third place match where penalty shoot-out (no extra time) was used to decide the winner if necessary (Regulations Articles 14.1 and 15.1).


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Awards
The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Goalscorers
There were 211 goals scored in 29 matches, for an average of 7.28 goals per match.


2019 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, Qualified teams for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
The following three teams from AFC qualify for the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.


2019 AFC Champions League
The 2019 AFC Champions League was the 38th edition of Asia's premier club football tournament, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 17th under the current AFC Champions League title.