ABU DHABI • Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said his team would not be distracted from the "most important match in the country's football history" by a protest over the eligibility of two of their best players at the Asian Cup.
The National newspaper reported yesterday on the eve of the Qatar-Japan final that the host, the United Arab Emirates, had formally questioned the eligibility of Sudan-born striker Almoez Ali and Iraqi-born defender Bassam Al-Rawi.
World football governing body Fifa mandates that a player switching national teams must either qualify through their parents or grandparents or must reside in a country for five years after their 18th birthday.
It is alleged that the 22-year-old Ali and 21-year-old Al-Rawi have not met the residency requirements to be eligible. Qatar claimed that they have relatives born in the country which allows them to play, which the UAE disputes.
Ali scored his record-equalling eighth goal of the tournament when Qatar beat the UAE 4-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Al-Rawi was suspended for that match but is expected to return for the final.
The Asian Football Confederation confirmed that it has received a protest from the UAE Football Association regarding two players and that it would be "reviewed in line with the AFC regulations".
Spaniard Sanchez, however, said that his players were focused on preparing for today's match at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
"We are only focused on the game we're going to play tomorrow, any other things not related to football is not in our minds at the moment. I'm not concerned at all," he said. "My players need no more motivation than to play an Asian Cup final."
The protest comes against a background of a political and economic boycott of Qatar which the UAE launched with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt in 2017. The four countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorism, which it denies.
FOCUSED ON FINAL
We are only focused on the game we're going to play tomorrow, any other things not related to football is not in our minds at the moment.
FELIX SANCHEZ, Qatar coach, on his team's mentality as they approach today's Asian Cup final against Japan.
The political rift was manifest in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday when Emirati fans hurled sandals and drinks bottles at Ali and two other players celebrating their goals during the semi-final.
The rift also means that almost no Qatari fans or media have been in the UAE to support and report on their run to a first continental final.
Meanwhile, Japan captain Maya Yoshida called on tournament organisers to deal swiftly with incidents of "stupidity" that risk damaging the reputation of Asian football.
The Asian Cup has seen its share of controversial refereeing decisions, with host UAE twice awarded soft late penalties that left rivals players and coaches fuming.
Japan's semi-final victory over Iran also came close to boiling over, with Yoshida himself needing to be restrained by teammates after reacting furiously to a petulant slap from Sardar Azmoun.
"I think the AFC should control stuff about penalties and suspensions," said the Southampton defender yesterday.
"If (the Cup) is broadcast all over the world, you don't want to see any stupid things, especially after the game. We are representing Asia under the hashtag #bringingasiatogether, so it's important to represent Asia by playing good football and with fair play."
Japan enter the final as favourites to add to their record of four Asian Cup titles, but Qatar coach Sanchez insisted that the 2022 World Cup hosts were confident ahead of their first appearance in the final, after comfortably winning all six of their matches and keeping a record six clean sheets.
"To us, it's no surprise that we are in the final," he said. "I have full trust in the players, they are motivated to make history."
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
JAPAN V QATAR
Singtel TV Ch114 & StarHub Ch208, 9.30pm
Queen probably learned from its Queen + Paul Rodgers-era that there isn't a big appetite for new Queen songs, especially ones without Mercury's voice. Lambert is surely aware of that — and of the fact that almost no one remembers The Cosmos Rocks album the group released in 2008.
Queen in the Making
SINGAPORE - An employee of Singapore Premier League club Hougang United has been charged over the loss of more than $250,000 from their clubhouse operations. While working as an admin assistant, Malaysian Tean Tai Tee allegedly misappropriated $278,200. The 24-year-old woman was arrested and charged in court on Dec 16, 2018 with one count of
S$278,200 missing from Hougang United Football Club; employee
Klopp hails Salah as he targets 97-point total LONDON • Jurgen Klopp was "blown away" by the brilliance of Mohamed Salah's strike against Chelsea as he urged Liverpool to produce a flawless finish to the English Premier League title race.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's fighting spirit as he sets
How long does it take to travel from London to Derby by train? The average journey time between London and Derby is 2 hours 2 minutes. The fastest journey time is 1 hour 23 minutes. On an average weekday, there are 34 trains per day travelling from London to Derby. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays.
Trains Derby to London St Pancras International - Train
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says his team's first-half display at Liverpool was one from a side "not ready" to challenge for the title.
The latest odds on Spurs to win the Premier League title as
MADRID: Ghanaian forward Kevin-Prince Boateng is on the verge of joining Barcelona in a shock loan move from Italian side Sassuolo, according to media reports in Spain on Monday. Catalan daily Sport reported that the leaders of La Liga had agreed a deal to take Boateng on loan until the end of the
Boateng set for shock Barcelona move - reports - France - RFI
en.rfi.fr/wire/20190121-boateng-set-shock-barcelona-move-reports
Ghanaian forward Kevin-Prince Boateng is on the verge of joining Barcelona in a shock loan move from Italian side Sassuolo, according to media reports in Spain on Monday. Catalan daily Sport
Kevin-Prince Boateng set for shock loan move to Barcelona
Liverpool go top with Salah winner vs. Saints. Mohamed Salah scored a classy winner as Liverpool beat Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's on Friday night to return to the top of the Premier League.
The statement read: "All clubs unanimously agreed it is inappropriate for European football bodies to create plans that would alter the structures, calendar and competitiveness of the domestic game and will work together to protect the Premier League." The extra matches - from six to 14 - would require a radical shake-up of the club calendar.
More European clubs oppose plan to overhaul Champions League
Tampines Rovers needed a three-goal salvo in the dying minutes in their last AFC Cup Group F match on April 17 to secure a 4-2 victory over Cambodia's Nagaworld FC.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
AFC Cup 2019: Tampines survive almighty Yangon scare to stay
Juventus have announced that head coach Massimiliano Allegri will leave the club at the end of the 2018-19 season. The Italian boss' future has been in question since being dumped out of the
Juventus announce Allegri to leave this summer - global.espn.com
global.espn.com/football/juventus/story/3855818/juventus-announce-allegri-to-leave-this-summer
Juventus have announced Massimiliano Allegri will leave his post as manager at the end of the season. Allegri and the Juve board have had several meetings in the past few days over the former AC Milan boss' future, and they decided he will step down after their final match of the season away to Sampdoria on May 26.
Allegri reveals he was pushed while discussing Juventus exit
Dec 13, 2012 · MLS: Former Mexico and Barcelona star Rafael Márquez is to leave the New York Red Bulls, ending a troubled time in MLS. But where does he rank among the league's big-signing flops.
Football News -. Read more at straitstimes.com. 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup of Iran in action against Minamino Takumi of Japan during the 2019 AFC
AFC Asian Cup: 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stuns imploding
Germany's new-look team made a promising return to the international stage with a 1-1 draw against Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday, showing signs of improvement following a disastrous 2018.
Football: New-look Germany make promising start with Serbia draw
Football News -LONDON (AFP) - Willian insisted he had no intention of leaving Chelsea after his superb goal sealed a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday (Jan 12).. Willian eager to stay
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours - Pulse
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen