LONDON — The diplomatic standoff between Qatar and its Arab neighbors spilled into the sports world once again Thursday as a Qatari vice president of Asia’s soccer confederation was barred from traveling to the United Arab Emirates ahead of the region’s top tournament.

Saoud al-Mohannadi, vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, was denied permission to travel from Oman to the U.A.E. after airport officials said he wouldn’t be let into the country. The U.A.E., with Saudi Arabia and a handful of other Mideast countries, broke diplomatic relations and severed all ties with Qatar in 2017.

Mohannadi is the chairman of the A.F.C.’s competitions committee, a group with overall responsibility for the Asian Cup. Prohibiting him from traveling to the U.A.E. is the first sign that long-simmering political tensions in the Gulf are likely to have ramifications for continent’s biggest tournament.

Mohannadi immediately wrote a letter of complaint to Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, the Bahraini royal who is the A.F.C.’s current president. The organization said in a statement that it was aware of reports that Mohannadi was being denied the right to travel and that it would investigate. The A.F.C. said it had been “assured of visas and entry permits” for tournament organizing committee members and executives.</s>A Qatari official who helped organise the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates was prevented from flying there on Thursday for the tournament, sources said, as a rift between the two Gulf states showed no signs of abating.

DOHA: A Qatari official who helped organise football's Asian Cup arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, after sources said he was earlier stopped from flying there to attend the tournament.

Saoud Al-Mohannadi chaired the organising committee for the competition, which starts on Saturday, and is vice president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

A Qatari official told Reuters that Mohannadi was on Thursday stopped from boarding an Oman Air flight to Abu Dhabi from Muscat. He was told by the airline that his name was not on a list held at Abu Dhabi airport, another source said.

An AFC spokesman said Mohannadi had arrived in Abu Dhabi on Friday. It was not immediately clear which route he had taken.

Other than in special circumstances, Qataris have been prevented from entering United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt since the four countries launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar in June 2017.

They accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, a charge that Doha denies.

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup, which football's global governing body FIFA hopes to expand to 48 teams from 32, suggesting the country could share hosting duties with neighbouring Gulf states.

Qatar has said it will only decide on any expansion of the World Cup after seeing a FIFA feasibility study expected by March.

The AFC is one of six continental football confederations that make up FIFA.

The Asian Cup is held every four years and the 2019 edition runs until Feb. 1.</s>The United Arab Emirate has, in a politically-motivated move, prevented Qatari Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Saud al-Muhannadi from taking part in the AFC Asian Cup tournament, which is to start on Saturday. Top Qatari football official Saud al-Mohannadi / Photo by AFP

Al-Mohannadi, who also serves as the vice president of the Qatari Football Association, returned to Doha after being barred from entering the UAE.

The decision has sparked harsh criticisms in Qatar with many media outlets describing it as a childish move ahead of the Asian Cup tournament.

With its childish policy just two days left to the Asian Cup, the UAE has politicized sports by barring Saud al-Muhannadi from entering the country for the international tournament, al-Sharq paper of Qatar reported.

Political tensions between Qatar and a number of its Arab neighbours began last year after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt officially accused it of sponsoring terrorism and cut off diplomatic ties with the country.

The Asian Cup is a quadrennial event which brings together the top teams of Asian for nearly a month. Qatars national football team taking part in the event is set to fly to the UAE on Saturday. Qatar national team will be pitted against Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and North Korea in Group 5.

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup is going to be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to 1 February 1. 24 teams including Iran will compete with each other during the tournament in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, al-Ain and Sharjah cities.

The UAE was announced as the host for the tournament on 9 March 2015, with Iran being the only remaining bidder for the right to host the 2019 finals. It is the second time that the United Arab Emirates hosts the tournament after the 1996 finals.

The decision by the UAE to bar the Qatari official from the tournament came shortly after FIFA President Gianni Infantino said some of Qatars neighbouring countries may be called on to host a few matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup if studies show a 48-team tournament in four years time is feasible.

"The World Cup will take place in Qatar with 32 teams. Obviously, if we can increase it to 48 teams and make the world happy we should try it."</s>A Qatari official who helped organise the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates was prevented from flying there on Thursday for the tournament, sources said, as a rift between the two Gulf states showed no signs of abating.

DOHA: A Qatari official who helped organise the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates was prevented from flying there on Thursday for the tournament, sources said, as a rift between the two Gulf states showed no signs of abating.

Saoud Al-Mohannadi chaired the organising committee for the tournament, which starts on Saturday, and is vice president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

A Qatari official told Reuters that Mohannadi was stopped from boarding an Oman Air flight to Abu Dhabi from Muscat. He was told by the airline that his name was not on a list held at Abu Dhabi airport, another source said.

Abu Dhabi's government communications office did not respond immediately to Reuters' request for comment. But Aref al-Awani, director of the Asian Cup's local organising committee, said on Twitter that nobody was banned from attending the tournament.

Other than in special circumstances, Qataris have been prevented from entering United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt since the four countries launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar in June 2017.

They accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, a charge that Doha denies.

Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup, which football's global governing body FIFA hopes to expand to 48 teams from 32, suggesting the country could share hosting duties with neighbouring Gulf states.

The AFC is one of six continental football confederations that make up FIFA.

Abu Dhabi's Awani said reports about banning any individual from attending were untrue. "Whoever is trying to create stories and fictions are used to it, and we are used to ignoring them," he tweeted.

Mohannadi said last month that he would run for president of the 47-country AFC in April.

The other two contenders are the UAE's Mohammed Khalfan Al-Rumaithi and incumbent Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, of Bahrain.

The Asian Cup, held every four years and running until Feb. 1, is considered a key gathering point to lobby AFC members for votes.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are due to play a group match on Jan. 17 and the Qatari team is expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi this week in time for their first game on Jan. 7.

Qatar has said it will only decide on any expansion of the World Cup after seeing a FIFA feasibility study expected by March.</s>In our ultimate build-up to AFC Asian Cup 2019, FOX Sports Asia provides the lowdown on all 24 teams and we take a closer look at Oman in this preview.

Oman enter their fourth Asian Cup on the back of a famous Gulf Cup triumph and would want to better their previous group-stage finishes in the continent’s biggest football tournament. The previous three Asian cup appearances for The Reds – in 2004, 2007 and 205 – finished in group stage exits.

Last time out in 2015, Oman were drawn with Australia, South Korea and Kuwait. They finished third in the group, behind Australia and Korea after having lost to both of them. They did register a victory against Kuwait though.

Coach: Pim Verbeek

 Captain: Ahmed Al-Mahaijri

 Best performance at Asian Cup: Group stage (2004, 2007 & 2015)

 Last time out in 2015: Group stage

January 9: Uzbekistan vs Oman (Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah – 5.30pm local time)

 January 13: Oman vs Japan (Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi – 5.30pm local time)

 January 17: Oman vs Turkmenistan (Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi – 5.30pm local time)

A lot would depend on Mohamed Al Hosni’s form if Oman are to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The 24-year-old, who plays for Al-Nahda in the Oman Pro League and will have to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders and see them through to the next round.

One of the Reds’ best players is the 22-year-old Jameel Al Yahmadi. The winger made his debut for the national team in 2017 and has since gone on to cement his palce in the side.

The youngster started all of Oman’s matches in their triumphant Gulf Cup run and his pace and skills will be a great asset to Verbeek’s side in the tournament.

Oman have been in scintillating form in 2018 and would want to carry that into the new year. Though they did lose 5-0 to Australia in one of the Asian Cup preparation friendlies, they do have a good chance of making it to the round-of-16 this time.

The expectations back home have increased as well with the Gulf Cup triumph, and if not as one of the top two teams from their group, The Reds can certainly qualify for the knockout as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stage.</s>Talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will have to play leading roles on and off the pitch, if India are to do well in the upcoming Asian Cup football tournament, feels former captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

India, who qualified for the Asian Football Confederation`s flagship tournament after a gap of eight years, have in their ranks a lot of youngsters, complemented by the experience of Gurpreet and Chhetri. Both of them were a part of the Doha Asian Cup back in 2011.

India, who lost all their matches back then and bowed out of the group stages, take on Thailand on January 6, before facing hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 10, and Bahrain on January 14.

"Two persons will be very crucial -- Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh (Sandhu). Both have the experience of playing AFC. India have a young team and their guidance will be the key on and off the field," Bhutia told IANS over the phone.

The 42-year old Sikkimese icon, who was the captain of the side in 2011, maintained that his former teammate Chhetri will have to take up the mantle of looking after not only his game but also his lesser experienced colleagues who might get overawed by the stage.

"Especially for Sunil, it`s not about his own game but also guiding the players, keeping their focus off the ground and giving them confidence. He has to be the leader off the ground and see that they don`t get carried away," Bhutia said.

Asked about India`s chances in the competition, Bhutia pointed out that their first assignment against lower-ranked Thailand will make or break them.

"The first match is going to be very crucial. The match against Thailand is the most crucial game because if we can get three points (from that game), I genuinely feel we can go through to the second round. But if there is a defeat in the first match, then it looks difficult," he said.

"The morale and confidence will also be built from the first match. That`s why the Thailand match will be crucial for them."

India coach Stephen Constantine had rued that his boys could not play more preparatory games leading up to the big ticket tournament. India have played China, Jordan and Oman in preparatory friendlies.

Bhutia, though, said India`s build-up has been just fine and these are players who are raring to go at the big stage.

"Preparation has been good. This is a good bunch of players who have done well together and are raring to go. There should be a fire in the belly to do well and I strongly feel that the Thailand game is the key. We need to beat them at any cost," he said.

Meanwhile, The Baichung Bhutia Football School (BBFS) with its 50th centre recently announced an angel investment by the promoters of the CarWale & Chalo and Zomato.

"We got some people to come on board and take up the school in a bigger way and expand it on a bigger scale. In future, we also need to raise some more money to come into the company. We are looking to expand BBS pan India," Bhutia said on the association.</s>Thailand suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Oman on Wednesday in their final warm-up match ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

The War Elephants are scheduled to open their campaign in the continental championship against India on January 6 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

But, in their final friendly game ahead of the Asian Cup, Thailand, coached by Milovan Rajevac, were handed a 2-0 defeat by reigning Arabian Gulf Cup champions Oman.

Oman went ahead early in the first half through Ahmed Al-Mahaijri. The scored remained 1-0 to the Gulf nation at halftime, but Thailand found themselves even further behind in the second half when Al-Mahaijir found his second of the night.

The defeat will cause concern for Rajevac as he saw his side go down to Oman despite fielding stars like Chanathip Songkrasin and Teerasil Dangda. He will now be hoping that his team’s form picks up by the time they face India.

Thailand will then play Bahrain on January 10 before facing hosts UAE on January 14.</s>ABU DHABI (AFP) - The football may not be of the quality expected at the Euros, but there is always something compelling about watching national teams duke it out for their continental crown. Here is a look at the five leading contenders for football's Asian Cup, which starts in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday (Jan 5):

The Socceroos won the biggest title in their history at the last Asian Cup in 2015, where they edged South Korea after extra time to win a thrilling final in Sydney. It provided further vindication for their switch from Oceania to the Asian confederation in 2006, since when they have never failed to qualify for the World Cup.

However, Australia's star has dimmed in recent times, and after reaching Russia 2018 via the play-offs they exited without a win, scoring only twice in their three group games. New coach Graham Arnold must fill the void left by retired record scorer Tim Cahill, and get the goals flowing again, if the Socceroos are to keep the trophy in Australian hands.

Asia's top-ranked team won credit at last year's World Cup, where they were edged 1-0 by Spain and finished 1-1 against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, before exiting at the group stage. However, they will want to go home with more than just praise at the Asian Cup, a tournament where success has eluded them since their run of three straight titles ended in 1976.

Ex-Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz, also a former assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, has forged a formidable unit which was unbeaten in World Cup qualifying, strolling into the Asian Cup along the way.

Last time around, Iran went out on penalties to arch-rivals Iraq in a pulsating quarter-final which featured four goals in extra-time and a contentious second yellow card for simulation to Iranian defender Mehrdad Pooladi. Similar fireworks can be expected when the two teams meet for their final Group D game on Jan 16.

Japan go into the Asian Cup chasing a record-extending fifth title and in a rich vein of form. The Samurai Blue are unbeaten in five games since Hajime Moriyasu replaced Akira Nishino as coach after their surprise run to the knockout stages of last year's World Cup.

But Japan embark on their Middle Eastern adventure without two players who epitomise their waspish energy - Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki. Both were omitted by Moriyasu, who looks to Red Bull Salzburg's Takumi Minamino to provide the creative spark in Kagawa's absence.

Portimonense's Shoya Nakajima and Groningen's Ritsu Doan will add thrust as they try to avenge their 2015 Asian Cup flop when they crashed out in the quarter-finals. Southampton defender Maya Yoshida and Galatasaray full-back Yuto Nagatomo bring experience to Japan, who face Uzbekistan, Oman and Turkmenistan in Group F.

Ranked 50th in the world, behind Iran (29) and Australia (41), anything less than the semi-finals would be seen as failure for Japan.



 

 Saudi Arabiaplayers listening to the head of the General Authority for Saudi Sport, Turki Al-Sheikh (centre) at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on June 13, 2018, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. PHOTO: AFP 



The former giants of Asian football need to reverse a poor run of form as they look to return to the winners' circle for the first time since the 1990s. Victories in 1984, 1988 and 1996 made the Saudis the continent's premier side but despite reaching the 2000 and 2007 finals they have been unable to add to their tally.

There was not much to shout about at last year's World Cup, when Saudi Arabia lost 5-0 to Russia in their opening game and never recovered. In the UAE, a short hop over the Saudi border, Juan Antonio Pizzi - the fourth coach in the Saudi hot seat since the 2015 Asian Cup - can expect an easier ride than in Russia as they open against North Korea on Tuesday.

However, Saudi Arabia flopped at the last Asian Cup, going out at the group stage, and they are under pressure heading into this edition after winning only one of their six games since the World Cup.

In Tottenham Hotspur's swift forward Son Heung-min, South Korea boast Asia's most exciting player and they will be regarded as narrow favourites to hoist the trophy on February 1. The Taeguk Warriors showed their quality when they stunned holders Germany at last year's World Cup and they came within a whisker of winning their third Asian title in 2015, going down to James Troisi's extra-time strike for hosts Australia in the final.

Son will miss South Korea's first two games, against the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, owing to club commitments with Spurs. But with a wealth of talent including Newcastle's Ki Sung-yeung and goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, man of the match in the 2-0 win over Germany, South Korea should have at least one foot in the knock-out stages by then.</s>Asian Cup 2019: 5 footballers who might be playing their last continental Cup

The AFC Asian Cup 2019 is all set to begin from January 5 and will go on until February 1, with 24 nations participating in the mega event of the Asian continent.

Apart from the 23 countries from Asia, Australia - the defending champions - are also part of the Asian Cup campaign. The 24 teams have been divided into 6 groups of 4 teams each and the top two teams of each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

Every team has its share of superstars and seasoned campaigners all set to take charge from next week. However, many of them might well be playing their last Asian Cup campaign, considering their age and fitness. The next edition of the AFC Asian Cup will be held in 2023 either in South Korea or in China.

Here, in this article, let us look at the 5 International footballers who might be playing their last Asian Cup campaign in 2019.

Ahmed Mubarak is one of the veterans of Oman football who presently plies his trade with Oman club Mesaimeer. He has been part of the Oman national football team right from 2003 and even after 15 years of playing International football, he is still at the top level. He has appeared in 156 international matches for Oman and has scored 18 International goals.

He has been part of the AFC Asian Cup squads of Oman in 2004 Asian Cup, 2007 Asian Cup and 2015 Asian Cup. He is another footballer who will be playing his fourth Asian cup and possibly, his last. He also was the most valuable player of the 2017 Gulf Cup which speaks volumes about what Ahmed Mubarak brings onto the field.

Ahmed Mubarak is a vital cog in the Oman national team and 2019 AFC Asian Cup well might be the last Asian Cup, where Oman could use his expertise.</s>Australia named striker Apostolos Giannou as a replacement for injured winger Martin Boyle, with the Cyprus-based 28-year-old joining Graham Arnold’s Asian Cup squad on Thursday. Boyle was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a left knee injury in Sunday’s 5-0 friendly win over Oman and returned to club side Hibernian to continue his recovery.

Giannou’s registration was completed by the Asian Football Confederation on Wednesday, allowing the AEK Larnaca player to link up with the team in Al Ain ahead of their opening clash against Jordan on Jan. 6.

“Apostolos has been playing regularly in Cyprus with his club, as well as in the UEFA Europa League throughout 2018. He has arrived with the determination to impress and make the most of the opportunity,” Arnold said in a statement. “Our group has welcomed ‘Apo’ back into the Socceroos family and having been with us in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait earlier this year, Apo has a clear picture of how we work and the principles of play.”

Champions Australia were already without midfielders Daniel Arzani and Aaron Mooy before Boyle’s injury but Arnold said that Giannou had the necessary qualities to make up for the loss of the Scotland-born winger. “Apo offers us something a little bit different in attack — he is a hard-working player who can press and has a sharp eye for goal,” Arnold said.

Giannou, who scored his first goal for Australia in a 4-0 win over Kuwait in October, completed a medical with the team ahead of his first major international tournament. “I’ll be doing everything I can to impress in training and perform in matches here in the UAE. We have a great squad with a great culture and together I believe we will achieve our goals,” he said.
Saoud al-Mohannadi, vice president of the Asian Football Confederation, is banned from traveling to the United Arab Emirates from Oman.