Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, witnessed at firsthand on Friday the successful introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Shaikh Salman went to the Video Operations Room (VOR) at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi during half-time of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 quarter-final between Qatar and Korea Republic, where the West Asians booked their first-ever semi-final berth with a narrow 1-0 victory.
The VAR has been implemented with the support and approval of FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and introduced from the quarter-finals onwards.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Japan advanced to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 semi-finals after defeating Vietnam 1-0 in an absorbing last eight tie that saw the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) twice being called into action.
Introduced from the quarter-final stage, VAR first denied and then benefited Japan as the Samurai Blue stayed on track for a record-extending fifth AFC Asian Cup title.
VAR was first called into play in the 24th minute when Maya Yoshida's goal was ruled out for a handball and again in the 56th minute when Vietnam's Bùi Tien Dung was ultimately judged to have brought down Ritsu Doan.
Doan converted the spot-kick and Japan will face Islamic Republic of Iran in Monday's semi-final.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: AFC Asian Cup history will be made tomorrow when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system makes its debut from the first quarter-finals of the Continental showpiece, which sees Vietnam take on Japan at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai at 5:00pm local time.
Leading Asian refereeing in the milestone implementation is none other than Mohammed Abdulla Mohamed from the UAE, who will supported by Assistant Referees, Mohamed Alhammadi and Hassan Almahri, who featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Emirati trio, who will be supported by compatriot and fourth official Ammar Aljneibi, officiated the Group C match between France and Peru in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Australia’s Christopher Beath has been appointed as the VAR and will be assisted by Muhammad Taqi Bin Jahari from Singapore as well as Italian Paolo Valeri.
In addition to organising a comprehensive series of VAR specific workshops since September last year, the AFC has also successfully completed a robust test of the system during the Round of 16 stage across the four quarter-final venues.
These include the Zayed Sport City Stadium and Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain’s Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium and the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: When legendary Italian match official Pierluigi Collina speaks about refereeing, everyone has to listen.
Collina was in capital of the United Arab Emirates during the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 group stage as part of the preparation for the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system from the competition's quarter-finals - a decision he feels is correct.
"It is a wise decision as far as I am concerned to introduce VAR at the quarter-final stage because this is line with the pool of qualified referees that are available. The referees need to have the VAR license from IFAB (International Football Association Board)," said Collina in an interview with local media.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) family would like to congratulate the four teams – Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Qatar and United Arab Emirates – for reaching the semi-final stage of the competition.
It has been a magnificent display of football and fair play, showcasing to the world how to bring Asia together.
We commend all members of the Asian football family, the teams, the fans, the media for continuing to elevate the spirit of the game on the field of play with respect, tolerance and unity.
The AFC invites all stakeholders to continue captivating the world through the beautiful game, which is being played with dignity on the football field.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Alberto Zaccheroni was relieved his United Arab Emirates side held on to eke out a 1-0 win over Australia in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 on Friday night, with the Italian fearing his team would have struggled had the game gone to extra-time.
The tournament hosts had Ali Mabkhout to thank that the game ended after 90 minutes, with the Al Jazira striker scoring the only goal of the game midway through the second half when he capitalised on Milos Degenek’s poor back pass to round Maty Ryan and roll the ball home.
Zaccheroni’s defence then held firm as the Socceroos threw everything forward in an attempt to keep the defence of the title they won on home soil four years ago alive, only for those attempts to flounder.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Head coach Felix Sanchez has labelled Qatar’s 1-0 win over Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 as an historic moment for both his players and the West Asian nation.
A stunning second-half strike from Abdelaziz Hatim saw the Qataris progress to their first-ever AFC Asian Cup semi-final and, in the process, rack up a fifth consecutive victory at the Continental showpiece event.
With host nation the United Arab Emirates set to come for Qatar in the last four, Sanchez, although mindful of the challenge that awaits his young charges, was quick to underline the significance of the result for a side who have become serious title contenders.