31 January 2019

Admitting of guilt

Last Tuesday Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that he evaded tax in Spain from 2011 until 2014 and is convicted of 4 criminal acts. In that period the Portuguese striker illegally has adopted 5.7 million euros. The Madrid court punished him with 23-month prison, but because this is the first offence, the jail term will be switched into financial fine. All in all, the 33-year-old has to give away little less than double the amount - 10.2 million euros, or divided in parts: the demanded tax of 5.7 million euros, interest (1 million euros), penalties (3.2 million euros) and the converted prison sentence (360.000 euros).
Before the verdict is even reached some media has announced that the player have to pay an enormous sum of 18.8 million euros, however at the end the star has to deliver 8.6 million euros less to the financial authorities in Spain.

30 January 2019

Disappointed hosts got crushed and humiliated

Asian Cup 2019: match 50, day 20, knockout round 3 (last 4 - semi finals)

Qatar - United Arab Emirates 4:0


Scorers: 1:0 22 (21.26) Boualem Khoukhi
              2:0 37 (36.30) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah
              3:0 80 (79.57) Hassan Khalid al-Haydos
              4:0 90+3 (92.51) Hamid Ismaeil Khaleefa

- For using an elbow in the air duel, Ismail Ahmed Mohamed (United Arab Emirates) received a direct red card at 90+1 (90.50).

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.09 + 3.52.

29 January 2019

Second half goals for final spot

Asian Cup 2019: match 49, day 19, knockout round 3 (last 4 - semi finals)

Islamic Republic of Iran - Japan 0:3

Scorers: 0:1 55 (55.09) Yuya Osako
              0:2 66-pen (66.10) Yuya Osako
              0:3 90+1 (91.00) Genki Haraguchi

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.59 + 4.05.

28 January 2019

Four teams battling for one trophy

In the following 5 days last 3 matches will be played from the Asian Cup 2019, who, unfortunately this exciting tournament came to the last playing week. The defending champions are already kicked-out from the competition, and at the afternoon on the first day of next month we are going to have a new winner which will rule Asia in the next 4 years. Four teams are left for the grand prize, and one in particular are favorites to take the title which played an excellent tournament so far. After the last resting days at the event these final 3 remaining duels are going to start at the same time.

28 January, Monday at 15.00 CET: Islamic Republic of Iran - Japan.

29 January, Tuesday at 15.00 CET: Qatar - United Arab Emirates.

01 February, Friday at 15.00 CET: here will clash the winners of both semi final games.

27 January 2019

Copa America 2019 groups disclosed

In 2019 we will know even four continental champions. One competition is already ongoing, while the rest three are going to start this summer. The oldest international official event will be held in South America when Brazil is going to host Copa America from 14 June until 07 July for the forty sixth time.
All ten countries from the continent have the right to participate at the event plus there are two invitees (guests) from the Asian region. This Friday morning the final missing part was revealed in Rio de Janeiro, as the draw discovered the opponents of the 12 teams in the following groups:

Group A: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia.

Group B: Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Qatar.

Group C: Uruguay, Chile, Japan, Ecuador.

Journalist murdered in Ghana

Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela was murdered last Wednesday night in front of his home from two men on motorbike, who fled the scene, in Ghanaian capital Accra. The investigative journalist has discovered football corrupt officials mainly at the sub-Saharan part of Africa, together with Anas Aremeyaw Anas who is the president of the 'Tiger eye pi' company. After showing the documentary 'Betraying the game' in June last year, four months later the world football organization has completely removed Kwesi Nyantakyi from the sport which was the second most powerful man in African football.

26 January 2019

At the beginning of next month Asia will have a new champion

Asian Cup 2019: match 47, day 18, knockout round 2 (last 8 - quarter finals)

South Korea - Qatar 0:1


Scorer: 0:1 78 (77.59) Abdelaziz Hatim

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.02 + 4.23.


Asian Cup 2019: match 48, day 18, knockout round 2 (last 8 - quarter finals)

United Arab Emirates - Australia 1:0


Scorer: 1:0 68 (67.23) Ali Ahmed Mabkhout

Stoppage time played for both halves: 01.16 + 10.08.

24 January 2019

Video technology made debut at Asian Cup event

Asian Cup 2019: match 45, day 17, knockout round 2 (last 8 - quarter finals)

Vietnam - Japan 0:1


Scorer: 0:1 56-pen (56.18) Ritsu Doan

- For the first time in this tournament the little monitors of the 'hawk eye system' from above have perfectly done its job in this game. A goal from Maya Yoshida (Japan) was not accepted on 24 (23.34) due to handball, while at the second time they awarded an 11-metre punishment for the winning team.

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.09 + 4.03.


Asian Cup 2019: match 46, day 17, knockout round 2 (last 8 - quarter finals)

People's Republic of China - Islamic Republic of Iran 0:3


Scorers: 0:1 17 (17.15) Mehdi Taremi
              0:2 30 (30.14) Sardar Azmoun
              0:3 90+1 (90.37) Karim Ansarifard

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.56 + 2.58.

North, Central America and the Caribbean region chose top footballers for 2018

After Asia and Africa one other continent selected the best players for last year. Eight nights ago CONCACAF has awarded their prime footballers for the fifth time. In total there were given seven different prizes: each sexes had five prizes of the same name, plus best goal of 2018 together with the outstanding achievement reward which belonged to the female Jamaican national team. All nominees were voted by the national coaches and captains, journalists and spectators. In this article it will be mentioned only few of them and the most important ones.
Hue Menzies (Jamaica) has won the women manager of the year award, before Jill Ellis (United States of America - USA), while in third position is Monica Vergara (Mexico) who train the national youth 17 team. From the male side best in the region is the former Argentina defender Matias Almeyda who coach the club San Jose Earthquakes. Remko Bicentini which leads Curacao is the second best coach in 2018, and third is Juan Carlos Osorio (Colombia) who previously was in charge with the Mexican team. Best female number one is Alyssa Naeher (USA), second is Yenith Bailey (Panama), whilst third came Canadian Stephanie Labbe. The top goalkeeper for men in 2018 is Keylor Navas (Costa Rica). Voters put Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) in second with Cody Laurendi (Puerto Rico) who completes top three. At the peak of the best female player is Alexandra Morgan (USA), whilst her compatriot Lindsey Horan took third place. In between them (at second position) is Khadija Shaw (Jamaica) who plays for Tennessee volunteers football team. Italian Sebastian Giovinco, who is at Toronto club, is the third name on the list for the top male footballer. One place higher (second place) is the best number one Keylor Navas, whilst Hirving Lozano (Mexico) was selected the best for 2018.

23 January 2019

Finished all duels from first knockout stage

Asian Cup 2019: match 43, day 16, knockout round 1 (last 16)

South Korea - Bahrain 1:1, after extra time 2:1


Scorers: 1:0 43 (42.56) Hwang Hee-Chan
              1:1 76 (76.17) Mohamed Saad al-Romaihi
              2:1 105+1 (106.16) Kim Jin-Su

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.10 + 5.02.


Asian Cup 2019: match 44, day 16, knockout round 1 (last 16)

Qatar - Iraq 1:0


Scorer: 1:0 61 (61.12) Bassam Hisham Ali al-Rawi

Stoppage time played for both halves: 3.13 + 4.53.

22 January 2019

Three different fates with teams of passage to next round

Asian Cup 2019: match 40, day 15, knockout round 1 (last 16)

Japan - Saudi Arabia 1:0


Scorer: 1:0 19 (19.17) Takehiro Tomiyasu

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.14 + 4.34.


Asian Cup 2019: match 41, day 15, knockout round 1 (last 16)

Australia - Uzbekistan 0:0, on penalties: 4-2


Stoppage time played for both halves: 0.52 + 3.03.


Asian Cup 2019: match 42, day 15, knockout round 1 (last 16)

United Arab Emirates - Kyrgyzstan 2:2, after extra time: 3:2


Scorers: 1:0 14 (13.34) Khamis Esmaeel Zayed
              1:1 26 (25.34) Mirlan Murzaev
              2:1 63 (63.08) Ali Ahmed Mabkhout
              2:2 90+1 (90.54) Tursunali Rustamov
              3:2 102-pen (102.07) Ahmed Khalil al-Junaibi

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.30 + 3.14.

21 January 2019

Quarter final matches will be finished

So far only 3 teams are known for the quarterfinal stage, and with it one pair is formed. Five duels remained to be played from this round in the next 5 nights together with the following round where all games will be finished from last 8. Also next week we are going to be familiar with a completely new kick-off time, and the schedule look like this:

21 January, Monday at 12.00 CET: Japan - Saudi Arabia.
21 January, Monday at 15.00 CET: Australia - Uzbekistan.
21 January, Monday at 18.00 CET: United Arab Emirates - Kyrgyzstan.

22 January, Tuesday at 14.00 CET: South Korea - Bahrain.
22 January, Tuesday at 17.00 CET: Qatar - Iraq.

24 January, Thursday at 14.00 CET: Vietnam - Japan / Saudi Arabia.
24 January, Thursday at 17.00 CET: People's Republic of China - Islamic Republic of Iran.

25 January, Friday at 14.00 CET: South Korea / Bahrain - Qatar / Iraq.
25 January, Friday at 17.00 CET: United Arab Emirates / Kyrgyzstan - Australia /                                                                Uzbekistan.

Lottery was needed at one duel

Asian Cup 2019: match 37, day 14, knockout round 1 (last 16)

Jordan - Vietnam 1:1, on penalties: 2-4


Scorers: 1:0 39 (38.49) Bahaa Abdel Rahman Suleiman
              1:1 51 (50.45) Cong Nguyen Phuong

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.14 + 3.00.


Asian Cup 2019: match 38, day 14, knockout round 1 (last 16)

Thailand - People's Republic of China 1:2


Scorers: 1:0 30 (30.14) Supachai Jaided
              1:1 66 (66.07) Zhi Xiao
              1:2 71-pen (70.57) Gao Lin

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.03 + 4.05.


Asian Cup 2019: match 39, day 14, knockout round 1 (last 16)

Islamic Republic of Iran - Oman 2:0


Scorers: 1:0 32 (31.21) Alireza Jahanbakhsh Jirandeh
              2:0 40-pen (40.16) Seyed Ashkan Dejagah

- At 03 (02.25) Ahmed Mubarak al-Mahaijri (Oman) striked a poor penalty kick, which was perfectly saved by Alireza Safar Beiranvand (Islamic Republic of Iran).

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.05 + 3.03.

20 January 2019

Repetitive award from 2017

Last Tuesday at the capital of Senegal Dakar was held the ceremony for the best African players in this sport. There were given prizes in 11 categories, and here will be mentioned few of them.
Desiree Ellis, who is at the helm of South Africa, was chosen as the best female coach. The trainer of Morocco Herve Renard got the reward for male coach of the year. Nigeria for the women side and Mauritania from the male, are the best national teams for 2018. The 22-year-old striker Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana from South Africa won the award for the best women player. For the  second consecutive year Mohamed Salah of Egypt took the trophy for the male award before Sadio Mane (Senegal) in second and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang (Gabon) at third place. These three names were exactly the same from the 2017 prize list.

19 January 2019

Change of hospitality countries

On the day where second match was playing at group D plus the first duel from group E at the Asian Cup 2019 tournament which is ongoing at United Arab Emirates, another confederation has decided where to play their football tournament just six months before the official start.
Last year, at the end of November, the African confederation have stripped Cameroon of the right to host the African Cup of Nations which is beginning this summer because of internal problems. At 08 January the organization has decided to award Egypt with the event, after winning its rival-bid country South Africa 16 votes against 1. In 2014 the African football federation has made a planning and give hospitality rights for the next three football championships: Cameroon 2019, Ivory Coast 2021 and Guinea in 2023, but 5 years later that order was changed and a little bit mixed up. Cameroon is now going to welcome the best teams in 2021, Ivory Coast at 2023, while last Monday Guinea accepted to be the host in 2025.

18 January 2019

Known all representatives for first knockout round

Asian Cup 2019: match 33, day 13, round 3

(14.30.16 CET) Oman - Turkmenistan 3:1


Scorers: 1:0 20 (19.44) Ahmed Mubarak al-Mahaijri
              1:1 41 (40.38) Altymyrat Annadurdyyev
              2:1 83 (83.14) Muhsen al-Ghassani
              3:1 90+3 (92.48) Mohammed al-Musallami

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.59 + 3.27.


Asian Cup 2019: match 34, day 13, round 3

(14.30.35 CET) Japan - Uzbekistan 2:1


Scorers: 0:1 40 (39.29) Eldor Shomurodov
              1:1 42 (42.11) Yoshinori Muto
              2:1 58 (57.46) Tsukasa Shiotani

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.02 + 3.26.


Asian Cup 2019: match 35, day 13, round 3

(17.00.29 CET) Lebanon - North Korea 4:1


Scorers: 0:1 09 (08.45) Pak Kwang-Ryong
              1:1 27 (26.37) George Felix Melki
              2:1 65 (64.55) Hilal el-Helwe
              3:1 80-pen (79.41) Hassan Maatouk
              4:1 90+8 (97.41) Hilal el-Helwe

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.12 + 8.20.


Asian Cup 2019: match 36, day 13, round 3

(17.00.40 CET) Saudi Arabia - Qatar 0:2


Scorer: 0:1 45 (45.17) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah
            0:2 79 (79.23) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.39 + 3.00.


- Mohammed al-Owais produced one of the best saves from 11 meters in the tournament. For the first time at this event at 42 (41.57) a penalty was perfectly saved, when Hasan Khalid al-Haydos (Qatar) shot directly in the Saudi Arabian goalkeeper.


Additional informationThese 16 teams have made it to the first knockout round: United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Bahrain (group A), Jordan, Australia (group B), South Korea, People's Republic of China, Kyrgyzstan (group C), Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Vietnam (group D), Qatar, Saudi Arabia (group E), Japan, Uzbekistan, Oman (group F).

17 January 2019

Penultimate four teams for last sixteen

Asian Cup 2019: match 29, day 12, round 3

(14.30.09 CET) Kyrgyzstan - Philippines 3:1


Scorers: 1:0 24 (23.20) Vitalij Lux
              2:0 50 (50.02) Vitalij Lux
              3:0 77 (76.40) Vitalij Lux
              3:1 80 (80.00) Stephan Schrock

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.00 + 3.00.


Asian Cup 2019: match 30, day 12, round 3

(14.31.10 CET) South Korea - People's Republic of China 2:0


Scorers: 1:0 14-pen (13.22) Hwang Ui-Jo
              2:0 51 (50.40) Kim Min-Jae

Stoppage time played for both halves: 0.55 + 2.50.


Asian Cup 2019: match 31, day 12, round 3

(17.00.20 CET) Vietnam - Yemen 2:0


Scorers: 1:0 38 (37.58) Nguyen Quang Hai
              2:0 64-pen (64.01) Que Ngoc Hai

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.00 + 3.00.


Asian Cup 2019: match 32, day 12, round 3

(17.00.58 CET) Islamic Republic of Iran - Iraq 0:0


Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.58 + 3.00.

Additional information: Direct qualifiers for the first knockout round are: South Korea, People's Republic of China, Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq. On hold at the moment are currently Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.

16 January 2019

Second overall scoreless duel

Asian Cup 2019: match 27, day 11, round 3

(14.30.12 CET) Palestine - Jordan 0:0


Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.00 + 3.03.

Asian Cup 2019: match 28, day 11, round 3

(14.30.23 CET) Australia - Syria 3:2


Scorers: 1:0 41 (40.45) Awer Mabil
              1:1 42 (42.02) Omar Kharbin
              2:1 54 (53.41) Christopher Ikonomidis
              2:2 80-pen (79.50) Omar al-Somah
              3:2 92 (92.17) Tom Rogic

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.04 + 4.02.

- Additional information: congratulations to Jordan and Australia who are through to the knockout phase, whilst Palestine will have to wait until Thursday to see if it can join them.

15 January 2019

Asian Cup host together with its rival have qualified for last 16

Asian Cup 2019: match 25, day 10, round 3

(17.00.18 CET) India - Bahrain 0:1


Scorer: 0:1 90-pen (90.17) Jamal Rashed Abdulrahman

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.57 + 4.28.


Asian Cup 2019: match 26, day 10, round 3

(17.00.24 CET) United Arab Emirates - Thailand 1:1


Scorers: 1:0 07 (06.25) Ali Ahmed Mabkhout
              1:1 41 (40.46) Puangjan Thitiphan

Stoppage time played for both halves: 5.04 + 4.45.

- United Arab Emirates and Thailand goes straight into last 16, while Bahrain is on stand-by as third place team.

14 January 2019

Deciding group phase duels and beginning of knockout phase

The last 12 games remained for the end from the group phase. Jointly with this finishing group process, next week also are starting the first knockout matches. We, as well, are going to see a new kick-off time starting from last 16. After the first rest of the tournament next weekend we will find out which initial 3 teams are going to qualify for the quarter-finals.

14 January, Monday at 17.00 CET: India - Bahrain.
14 January, Monday at 17.00 CET: United Arab Emirates - Thailand.

15 January, Tuesday at 14.30 CET: Australia - Syria.
15 January, Tuesday at 14.30 CET: Palestine - Jordan.

16 January, Wednesday at 14.30 CET: Kyrgyzstan - Philippines.
16 January, Wednesday at 14.30 CET: South Korea - People's Republic of China.
16 January, Wednesday at 17.00 CET: Islamic Republic of Iran - Iraq.
16 January, Wednesday at 17.00 CET: Vietnam - Yemen.

17 January, Thursday at 14.30 CET: Japan - Uzbekistan.
17 January, Thursday at 14.30 CET: Oman - Turkmenistan.
17 January, Thursday at 17.00 CET: Lebanon - North Korea.
17 January, Thursday at 17.00 CET: Saudi Arabia - Qatar.

20 January, Sunday at 12.00 CET: the group B winner is going to play with either third placed team from A, C or D group.
20 January, Sunday at 15.00 CET: here is the clash of second place team from group A against the runner-up from group C.
20 January, Sunday at 18.00 CET: the number one team from group D will encounter the third placed team of either B, E or F.

Quadruple scorer, red card and a highest result so far in one single game

Asian Cup 2019: match 22, day 09, round 2

North Korea - Qatar 0:6


Scorers: 0:1 08 (08.01) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah
              0:2 10 (10.15) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah
              0:3 42 (42.11) Boualem Khoukhi
              0:4 54 (54.17) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah
              0:5 59 (59.05) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah
              0:6 67 (67.01) Abdelkarim Hassan

- North Korea finished the match with 10 players because Jong Il-Gwan received his second yellow card at 90 (89.54).

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.04 + 3.10.


Asian Cup 2019: match 23, day 09, round 2

Oman - Japan 0:1


Scorer: 0:1 27-pen (27.08) Genki Haraguchi

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.40 + 3.01.


Asian Cup 2019: match 24, day 09, round 2

Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan 0:4


Scorers: 0:1 16 (16.01) Javokhir Sidikov
              0:2 24 (23.24) Eldor Shomurodov
              0:3 40 (39.46) Jaloliddin Masharipov
              0:4 42 (41.31) Eldor Shomurodov

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.58 + 3.06.

13 January 2019

First goal at the event scored in stoppage time

Asian Cup 2019: match 19, day 08, round 2

Vietnam - Islamic Republic of Iran 0:2


Scorer: 0:1 37 (37.12) Sardar Azmoun
            0:2 69 (68.42) Sardar Azmoun

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.27 + 3.02.


Asian Cup 2019: match 20, day 08, round 2

Yemen - Iraq 0:3


Scorers: 0:1 11 (10.35) Mohanad Ali Kadhim
              0:2 19 (18.39) Bashar Resan Bonyan
              0:3 90+1 (90.54) Alaa Abbas Abdulnabi

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.03 + 4.06.


Asian Cup 2019: match 21, day 08, round 2

Lebanon - Saudi Arabia 0:2

Scorers: 0:1 12 (11.32) Fahad al-Muwallad
              0:2 66 (65.59) Hussain al-Moqahvi

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.04 + 3.06.

11 January 2019

Two teams did not agree to copy the results of other games

Asian Cup 2019: match 16, day 07, round 2

Palestine - Australia 0:3


Scorers: 0:1 17 (17.06) Jamie Maclaren
              0:2 20 (19.47) Awer Mabil
              0:3 89 (89.12) Apostolos Giannou

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.06 + 3.03.


Asian Cup 2019: match 17, day 07, round 2

Philippines - People's Republic of China 0:3


Scorers: 0:1 39 (39.07) Wu Lei
              0:2 65 (65.07) Wu Lei
              0:3 80 (79.56) Yu Dabao

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.18 + 3.04.


Asian Cup 2019: match 18, day 07, round 2

Kyrgyzstan - South Korea 0:1


Scorer: 0:1 41 (40.57) Kim Min-Jae

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.20 + 2.58.

Opponents left without a goal

Asian Cup 2019: match 13, day 06, round 2

Bahrain - Thailand 0:1


Scorer: 0:1 58 (57.50) Chanathip Songkrasin

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.23 + 4.11.


Asian Cup 2019: match 14, day 06, round 2

Jordan - Syria 2:0


Scorers: 1:0 26 (25.54) Musa Suliman al-Taamari
              2:0 42 (42.09) Tareq Khattab

Stoppage time played for both halves: 3.16 + 3.03.

Asian Cup 2019: match 15, day 06, round 2

India - United Arab Emirates 0:2


Scorers: 0:1 41 (40.51) Khalfan Mubarak Alrezzy
              0:2 88 (87.52) Ali Mabkhout

- As part of the agreement from the two confederations (AFC and CONCACAF), the Asian Cup 2019 made a little bit of history tonight. For the first time at this event a 'foreign official' (together with his team) led the match: Cesar Arturo Ramos from Mexico.

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.06 + 3.23.

10 January 2019

Great finish with lots of excitements for the end of round one

Asian Cup 2019: match 10, day 05, round 1

Japan - Turkmenistan 3:2


Scorers: 0:1 26 (25.57) Arslanmyrat Amanow
              1:1 55 (55.11) Yuya Osako
              2:1 59 (59.01) Yuya Osako
              3:1 71 (70.40) Ritsu Doan
              3:2 79-pen (78.43) Ahmet Atayew

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.03 + 4.03.


Asian Cup 2019: match 11, day 05, round 1

Uzbekistan - Oman 2:1


Scorers: 1:0 33 (33.19) Odil Akhmedov
              1:1 72 (71.52) Muhsen Saleh Abdullah Ali al Ghassani
              2:1 85 (85.01) Eldor Shomurodov

- The first direct red card in the competition received Uzbekistan defender Egor Krimets at 90+2 (91.47) for a deliberate foul on opponent.

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.38 + 5.13.


Asian Cup 2019: match 12, day 05, round 1

Qatar - Lebanon 2:0


Scorers: 1:0 65 (64.42) Bassam Hisham Ali al-Rawi
              2:0 79 (78.28) Al Moaaz Ali Abdullah

Stoppage time played for both halves: 0.59 + 4.45.

08 January 2019

Nine different goalscorers and one bad boy

Asian Cup 2019: match 08, day 04, round 1

Iraq - Vietnam 3:2


Scorers: 0:1 24-own goal (23.44) Ali Faez Atiyah
              1:1 35 (34.21) Mohanad Ali Kadhim
              1:2 42 (41.24) Nguyen Cong Phuong
              2:2 59 (59.13) Humam Tareq Faraj
              3:2 90 (89.39) Ali Adnan Kadhim

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.53 + 3.22.


Asian Cup 2019: match 09, day 04, round 1

Saudi Arabia - North Korea 4:0


Scorers: 1:0 28 (27.55) Hatan Bahbri
              2:0 37 (36.41) Mohammed al-Fatil
              3:0 70 (69.27) Salem al-Dawsari
              4:0 87 (86.42) Fahad al-Muwallad

- Han Kwang-Song (North Korea) left his teammates early at 44 (43.39) due to two yellow cards.

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.11 + 4.28.

Terrible blunders of two goalkeepers who put the balls into its own net

Asian Cup 2019: match 05, day 03, round 1

People's Republic of China - Kyrgyzstan 2:1


Scorers: 0:1 42 (41.39) Akhildin Israilov
              1:1 50-own goal (49.52) Pavel Matiash
              2:1 77 (77.09) Yu Dabao

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.01 + 5.02.


Asian Cup 2019: match 06, day 03, round 1

South Korea - Philippines 1:0


Scorer: 1:0 66 (66.02) Hwang Ui-Jo

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.01 + 3.08.


Asian Cup 2019: match 07, day 03, round 1

Islamic Republic of Iran - Yemen 5:0


Scorers: 1:0 12 (11.21) Mehdi Taremi
              2:0 23-own goal (22.28) Saoud Abdullah al-Sowadi
              3:0 24 (24.10) Mehdi Taremi
              4:0 53 (52.40) Sardar Azmoun
              5:0 78 (77.33) Saman Ghoddos

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.17 + 4.00.

07 January 2019

First and second phase games to be concluded

So far we have met 8, and now we have to know 16 more teams who will introduce us with its play for the first time at this Asian Cup event that is slowly entering into the first full week this year. In the next 7 days 20 matches is going to be played, and with those, round 2 will be completed.

07 January, Monday at 12.00 CET: People's Republic of China - Kyrgyzstan.
07 January, Monday at 14.30 CET: South Korea - Philippines.
07 January, Monday at 17.00 CET: Islamic Republic of Iran - Yemen.

08 January, Tuesday at 14.30 CET: Iraq - Vietnam.
08 January, Tuesday at 17.00 CET: Saudi Arabia - North Korea.

09 January, Wednesday at 12.00 CET: Japan - Turkmenistan.
09 January, Wednesday at 14.30 CET: Uzbekistan - Oman.
09 January, Wednesday at 17.00 CET: Qatar - Lebanon.

10 January, Thursday at 12.00 CET: Bahrain - Thailand.
10 January, Thursday at 14.30 CET: Jordan - Syria.
10 January, Thursday at 17.00 CET: India - United Arab Emirates.

11 January, Friday at 12.00 CET: Palestine - Australia.
11 January, Friday at 14.30 CET: Philippines - People's Republic of China.
11 January, Friday at 17.00 CET: Kyrgyzstan - South Korea.

12 January, Saturday at 12.00 CET: Vietnam - Islamic Republic of Iran.
12 January, Saturday at 14.30 CET: Yemen - Iraq.
12 January, Saturday at 17.00 CET: Lebanon - Saudi Arabia.

13 January, Sunday at 12.00 CET: North Korea - Qatar.
13 January, Sunday at 14.30 CET: Oman - Japan.
13 January, Sunday at 17.00 CET: Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan.

06 January 2019

Defending champions thrown on its knees

Asian Cup 2019: match 02, day 02, round 1

Australia - Jordan 0:1


Scorer: 0:1 26 (25.52) Anas Bani Yaseen

Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.00 + 5.01.


Asian Cup 2019: match 03, day 02, round 1

Thailand - India 1:4


Scorers: 0:1 27-pen (26.37) Sunil Chhetri
              1:1 33 (32.22) Teerasil Dangda
              1:2 46 (45.55) Sunil Chhetri
              1:3 68 (67.50) Anirudh Thapa
              1:4 80 (79.56) Jeje Lalpekhlua

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.01 + 2.57.


Asian Cup 2019: match 04, day 02, round 1

Syria - Palestine 0:0


- The first 'bad boy' has arrived on this competition: Mohammed Saleh (Palestine) at 68 (68.07) had to leave early due to two yellow cards.


Stoppage time played for both halves: 2.05 + 4.01.

05 January 2019

Enormous (starting) gift for the hosts

Asian Cup 2019: match 01, day 01, round 1

United Arab Emirates - Bahrain 1:1


Scorers: 0:1 78 (77.42) Mohamed Alromaihi
              1:1 88-pen (87.43) Ahmed Khalil

Stoppage time played for both halves: 1.09 + 3.15.

Special stamp

Border authorities in United Arab Emirates on a limited period of time have decided to put an exclusive stamp on visitors who are coming to the country. It is widely known that this Middle East Asian nation is going to stage the grandest football championship in the confederation from 05 January until 01 February. And to mark this celebration, the Federal authority for identity and citizenship performs a unique project: from 30 December 2018 until 01 February 2019 every tourist and spectator who will go through the airport terminals by arriving in this country is going to receive an special seal in their passport. In the stamp is engraved the logo of the biggest football show at the continent - Asian Cup UAE (United Arab Emirates) 2019, which is starting this weekend.

04 January 2019

Current footballer owns a club

Today is the day when FC Andorra have a new owner. Two weeks ago it was agreed that an Andorran company with various investors is going to purchase the team, among it is the Kosmos group, whose president is Gerard Pique, while last Saturday the transaction was completed and confirmed. This company took advantage of the new law in Spanish sport, who will also pay all the debt of the club. Thus the 31-year-old defender is now the chairman of FC Andorra which competes in the Catalan First division - group 2.

03 January 2019

Unsuccessful murder attempt

Right after Christmas day on one Danish footballer have been tried an assassination attempt. Last Friday Nicki Bille Nielsen was wounded in his right arm with a shotgun. Doctors say that the 30-year-old was badly injured, removed 40 grains out of him, but his life is out of danger. According to media, the striker got into a fight with 3 people at the Sydhavnen area in Copenhagen: a 23-year-old female model together with her 30-year-old husband (connected with moto-clubs) were captured, while another male suspect is still on the run. The couple are denying their involvement at this murder case, but if are proven guilty, they may face 6 years prison sentence.
The Danish international has a bad record at police, for which in October 2018 was released from Lyngby due to breaking laws and arrests.

02 January 2019

Fatal picture

The following story is a typical example of how can you lose your job because of your wife.
Serdar Aziz is a player at Galatasaray who missed the final championship game of 2018 in the Turkish Super Lig. The 28-year-old told the club that he experienced stomach pains (which later told is food poisoning), and thus was exempt against Sivasspor. Instead, the defender went on a family holiday trip in Maldives. This lie was soon discovered when his wife posted a picture on Instagram boasting it they are on the tropical island together with the footballer. The club has advised him to not even bother to return to Istanbul.