Sonylijin: World Football Trials | Soccer Tryouts

Before taking on hosts UAE in their second match of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, coach Stephen Constantine stressed that the "game is played on the pitch, not on paper." "We know all the three games are going to be very tough. There'll be no easy game at this level. But we'll go toe-to-toe with them. A game is not played on paper, but on the pitch. The UAE are the hosts and will be under pressure. It’s understandable they will go for all three points,” Constantine expressed. The match which is scheduled to be played at the gigantic Sheikh Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi tomorrow (January 10, 2019) will be telecast live on Star Sports 2, 3 and will also be streamed live on Hotstar. The kick-off is slated for IST 9.30pm. UAE are currently ranked 79 in the FIFA rankings, and they have been on the winning side on eight occasions against India out of 13 matches played between the two sides. The Blue Tigers have won thrice.

Iraq twice came from behind to beat Vietnam 3-2 in their Asian Cup opener in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Ali Adnan Kadhim scored less than a minute from time, firing a free kick over the wall and into the back of the net from 25 metres. His winner sparked wild celebrations among Iraqi fans at Zayed Sports City Stadium while leaving Vietnam's players and supporters heartbroken. It was a finish few would have expected less than half an hour into the absorbing Group D contest, when the Vietnamese took the lead courtesy of an own goal. Nguyen Quang Hai sent a through pass to Nguyen Trong Hoang when defender Ali Faez Atiyah came between him and goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, only to knock the ball into his own net on 24 minutes. Iraq cancelled the lead 11 minutes later after a defensive error from Vietnam centre-back Do Duy Manh left Mohanad Ali Khadim with only keeper Dang Van Lam to beat, which he did with ease executing a low shot. Vietnam regained the lead three minute

Saudi Arabia head coach Juan Antonio Pizza has said that the history three-time champions Saudi have in the competition will count for nothing as they being their campaign in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 on Tuesday.  Saudi Arabia will face DPR Korea in their first Group E match of the Asian Cup at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai in Tuesday’s late kickoff. The Saudis won the continental championship in 1984, 1988 and 1996. However, they have crashed out in the group stages at both the 2011 and 2015 editions of the tournament .  And the former Chile coach believes the team’s history in the tournament will count for nothing when they face North Korea in their opener. “I think it is a good opportunity to implement our way of playing and overcome [Tuesday’s] opponents. Previous results in this competition aren’t something we can depend on in [Tuesday’s] game,” said the former Spain striker. “I respect all the opponents we might face and, personall

Indian footballers are calling on their compatriots in the UAE to come out to support their attempt to make the Asian Cup knockout stages following a shock first win. The Indian side, who were not expected to make much of an impact at the tournament, pulled off an impressive 4-1 victory over Thailand on Sunday. It was India’s first win in an Asian Cup final game since 1964. There are more than three million Indians in the UAE, making them by far the largest national group in the Emirates. But despite the large population, there were plenty of empty seats at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Sunil Chhetri, who scored two of the four goals against Thailand, thanked fans for their support so far and called for them to turn out in large numbers for their clash with the hosts on Thursday. The 34-year-old described 2018 as “really good for Indian football,” and said the team is now planning to build on the success. “Let me tell you this, it would not have been p

After a 1-1 draw against Bahrain and a point on the Group A table, the UAE find itself in a crucial tie versus India on Thursday. Ahmed Khalil, the substitute striker, who drew level in the first match through his penalty, said Indians were a tough side. "Indians have improved a lot in last two years. They have done well to reach here. We will have to work things out before facing them. We have to win that match," Khalil said. With hopes of a nation riding on them, the UAE will lock horns with India at Zayed Sports City Stadium on Thursday. Omar Abdulrahman, the UAE magician, was sorely missed in the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup against Bahrain.It was always Omar, who would roll out perfect passes into the box for striker Ali Mabkhout to convert. With the regular service missing, Mabkhout was ineffective in front of goal in the opener. Omar, the former Al Ain star now plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, is recovering from an injury and was r

AFC Asian Cup 2019: Milovan Rajevac was sacked after Thailand's 1-4 loss to India in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Group A match played at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. After an evenly contested first-half (1-1), Thailand switched off in the second period as India went on a rampage, scoring three more goals. In the wake of humiliating defeat, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) relieved their Serbian coach and staff members from their duties. The FAT president, Somyot Poompanmoung, said in a statement that it was a 'difficult night' for everyone associated with Thailand football. "Football Association of Thailand has fully supported the team preparations in all aspects. But the result of the competition is not what is expected from the national team. "I, like Thai football fans, am disappointed with the result. As the president of the association, I can't stand still with this problem. In this regard, I would like to announc

AFC Asian Cup 2019: India national team coach Stephen Constantine has slammed his critics – and the media in particular – stating that second-guessing his every decision is ‘wrong’ and ‘complete nonsense.’ Constantine has been under the scanner for a while now, with fans and the media criticising many of his team selections and tactics. Amid rumours of rifts between the coach and the players, Constantine’s job was rumoured to be on the line, ultimately dependant on India’s performance in the Asian Cup. However, the English coach silenced all his naysayers with a tactical masterclass in India’s opening Asian Cup 2019 game against Thailand. The Blue Tigers romped to a 4-1 win and Constantine, while speaking to ESPN in the aftermath of the victory, said,   “You guys have your own opinions, and I don’t have a problem with that. But when you start criticising players that I have put in, or second-guessing my opinion, you know, it’s just wrong.” “Some of the crap