Bundesliga stars give India vote of confidence ahead of AFC Asian Cup
Claudio Pizzaro, Mario Gotze, Timo Werner, Yann Sommer and Lothar Mattheus wished the Blue Tigers well for the tournament.
The India national football team are all set to play their first AFC Asian Cup 2019 game against Thailand at the Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi. As the Blue Tigers are grinding out the final preparations before the final hurdle and in a surprising turn of events, many Bundesliga stars gave them some encouraging pep talk before the tournament.
In a social media post by the Bundesliga official page, many of the German top divisions' stars, past and present, gave their best wishes to the national team and its players. Werder Bremen striker and former Bayern Munich hitman Claudio Pizzaro hailed Indian national team captain Sunil Chhetri. He said, “There’s no one in India quite like you. Keep firing and inspiring the nation.” Coming from a rampant international goal-scorer like Pizarro, those are some kind words which will definitely ignite the fire in Chhetri.
For young Anirudh Thapa, the world-cup winning goal-scorer Mario Gotze had some encouraging words as well. Thapa, who probably never thought of him being recognized by someone like Gotze, would probably be reinvigorated upon hearing off Gotze thinking he could become India’s next big superstar. The Borussia Dortmund star ended with stating, “make your mark” to the Chennaiyin FC midfielder, something he’ll definitely aim to do in the AFC Asian Cup.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s towering goalkeeper Yann Sommer also had some words of advice for Gurpreet Sindh Sandhu, who is expected to make his first AFC Asian Cup appearance on Sunday. He said, “Gurpreet, you are a guardian of the posts. Remember, block everything in sight!” Jeje Lalpekhlua might be misfiring right now, but upon hearing words of encouragement for German striker Timo Werner, he’ll probably be pumped up to prove his goal-scoring ability soon.
Finally, German legend Lothar Mattheus, who had recently visited India, had some words of support from the Bundesliga. Mattheus wished the Indian Football team all the very best for the tournament ahead, ending with “Back the Blue”, something which can make every Indian football fan very proud.
With the Indian Football team players in need of support to elevate their performance-level in the AFC Asian Cup, these kind words will definitely light up the fire in them. It proves how the Bundesliga is aiming to create a strong fan-base among Indian viewers and this gentle-men act from these renowned, world-class players will definitely help their cause. However, these wishes prove how the Indian national team is making rounds all over the world and is slowly becoming noticed in the footballing world.
The AFC Asian Cup 2019 is here and we cannot wait to find out who will be crowned the champions of Asia. 24 nations from across the continent will fight it out in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between January 5 and February 1 to decide who takes the prestigious trophy home.
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Top 5 international goalscorers in the tournament
With the AFC Asian Cup 2019 just days away, FOX Sports Asia looks at five players in the competition who have scored the most international goals for their respective nations.
Goal scoring is an art; arguably the most important skill needed in football. While some players are born with an eye for goal, some develop into prolific goal scorers over time, hitting the back of the net on a regular basis to steal the limelight for their side.
The upcoming Asian Cup will feature a number of world-class strikers who have made a living out of being in the right place at the right time, and here we take a look at five of the most prolific ones in the international arena:
#5 Teerasil Dangda (Thailand – 42 goals)
Thailand’s captain for the Asian Cup, Teerasil Dangda returns after being omitted from the War Elephants’ Suzuki Cup squad earlier this year.
Teerasil has 42 goals for Thailand from just 95 appearances and is the only member of the current Thai squad who featured in their previous Asian Cup sojourn.
= 4 Ahmed Khalil (United Arab Emirates – 46 goals)
UAE have two strikers on this list, both of whom have scored the same number of goals. Shabab Al-Ahli striker Ahmed Khalil rose through the ranks, featuring for all of UAE’s age group sides and putting the whole continent on notice with his performances.
However, he couldn’t replicate that form with the senior team, struggling to make an impact in the 2011 Asian Cup as well as the 2012 Olympics, failing to score a single goal in both competitions.
He burst onto the scene in his second Asian Cup – the 2015 edition – scoring four goals to end the tournament ass his side’s second highest scorer.
His prowess in front of goal was also on show in a 2018 World Cup qualification match when he struck four goals against Malaysia in a 10-0 victory.
= 4 Ali Mabkhout (United Arab Emirates – 46 goals)
Arguably one of the most prolific strikers set to feature in the Asian Cup, Ali Mabkhout has notched 46 goals for the UAE in just 73 appearances.
Mabkhout was in prolific form in the 2015 Asian Cup, scoring five goals over the course of the competition and winning the Golden Boot in the process.
He also set a record in Iran’s 2-1 victory over Bahrain by scoring the fastest ever goal in Asian Cup history, finding the back of the net within 14 seconds of kickoff.
Forming a formidable strike partnership with Ahmed Khalil, the onus will be on the two lethal forwards to lead their side to a respectable finish.
#2 Phil Younghusband (Philippines – 52 goals)
Phil Younghusband is his nation’s highest capped player as well as top scorer.
Philippines football has ridden on the shoulders of Phil and his brother James Younghusband’s shoulders for years, and that script continued in the Asian Cup qualifiers when a last-minute penalty from Phil against Tajikistan secured them a berth in the Asian Cup for the first time in their history.
He scored five goals in six games during qualification to finish as his side’s top scorer in the qualifiers.
The 31-year-old has scored 52 goals in 105 appearances for the Azkals and while he failed to find the back of the net too often in the recently concluded Suzuki Cup, he will be looking to make amends when he takes the field in the Asian Cup.
#1 Sunil Chhetri (India – 65 goals)
India’s shining light for over a decade, Sunil Chhetri has waged a lone war trying to establish India on the world map and make them a force to be reckoned with.
Chhetri has scored a whopping 65 international goals from 104 appearances and comfortably tops this list. In fact, he is second on the list of most goals in international fixtures, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, and level with Lionel Messi.
Chhetri scored his first international goal way back in 2005 against Pakistan and he hasn’t slowed down since.
His contributions will play a major role in India’s run in the competition and the skipper of the Blue Tigers will look to at least lead them into the knockout rounds.
One thing that I liked from Consti is that most of the players in this squad are very young , this will be real experience for all these young players which our yester year stars like IM V and BB missed .
Why weather conditions will play a key part in AFC Asian Cup 2019
The United Arab Emirates are bidding to become the eighth nation to win the title on home soil.
With the AFC Asian Cup 2019 fast approaching, certain favourites have already been lined up. The likes of South Korea, Japan and Australia are expected to be front-runners for going all the way. However, because of the unpredictable weather conditions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), things could get messy for these countries who aren’t adept to the Western Asia climate that well.
While UAE might be perceived to have a typically Asiatic climate which involves uncomfortable heat most of the year, it’s rather pleasant out there at this time of the year. Dubai, the city to host the most important matches, will stay at around 17 or 18 degree Celsius during the vast period of the tournament. Al Ain and Sharjah, two other prominent venues, will be a degree or two colder on most days.
It might be the perfect conditions to play football, but just pleasant weather isn’t going to help the travelling teams. As history might suggest, West Asian countries have thrived playing in their own part of Asia. However, East Asian nations like Japan, South Korea can’t really say the same. As a matter of fact, the last time the Asian Cup was played in UAE in 1996, both these teams struggled. Japan and Korea were both knocked out in the quarter-finals, South Korea by a west Asian country in Iran.
Japan could be four times Asian Cup champions (the most for any country), but don’t have the best of records against their West Asian foes. They’ve lost six times out of 20 against UAE, and nine out of 20 against Iran. Similarly, South Korea has lost 15 times to Iran in 34 meetings, while six times to Saudi Arabia in 18. Australia also has a dodgy record against Iran, having lost thrice in seven meetings.
The West Asian teams like Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have built dominance in and around their home. Hosts UAE also possesses a stark home record and reached the finals of the Asian Cup when it last took place at the country in 1996. Their neighbours come into the tournament high in confidence. Having known all about the surroundings, they know what it takes to excel in the environment of UAE.
The same, however, cannot be said about the other heavyweights. Not only will unfamiliar grounds around the country be a thorn at their side, but the uncompromising fans of UAE also will not make their life any easier. Japan and Saudi Arabia, for one, have never enjoyed playing in West Asia due to the different culture, conditions and pressure they get from their oppositions.
Australia are also heading into the tournament with a relatively inexperienced team, who’ve barely played in UAE. The pressure of the situation could also get to their youngsters and result in a breakdown against stiff oppositions. Another advantage for neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia & Iran is their fans can travel in packs in order to rally on their troops in UAE.
It’ll be foolish to think perfect weather can mean a perfect tournament for the Asian heavyweights. The difficult environment of UAE along with the unforgiving fanbase can have a mental and physical toll on the players. With countries like UAE, Iran and Saudi Arabia well accustomed to the system of the hosts, it’ll be a mighty task for even the big guns to rattle them.
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AFC Asian Cup 2019 : Group E Preview
http://www.indianfootballnetwork.com/blog/2019/01/03/afc-asian-cup-2019-group-e-preview/Bundesliga stars give India vote of confidence ahead of AFC Asian Cup
Claudio Pizzaro, Mario Gotze, Timo Werner, Yann Sommer and Lothar Mattheus wished the Blue Tigers well for the tournament.
The India national football team are all set to play their first AFC Asian Cup 2019 game against Thailand at the Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi. As the Blue Tigers are grinding out the final preparations before the final hurdle and in a surprising turn of events, many Bundesliga stars gave them some encouraging pep talk before the tournament.
In a social media post by the Bundesliga official page, many of the German top divisions' stars, past and present, gave their best wishes to the national team and its players. Werder Bremen striker and former Bayern Munich hitman Claudio Pizzaro hailed Indian national team captain Sunil Chhetri. He said, “There’s no one in India quite like you. Keep firing and inspiring the nation.” Coming from a rampant international goal-scorer like Pizarro, those are some kind words which will definitely ignite the fire in Chhetri.
For young Anirudh Thapa, the world-cup winning goal-scorer Mario Gotze had some encouraging words as well. Thapa, who probably never thought of him being recognized by someone like Gotze, would probably be reinvigorated upon hearing off Gotze thinking he could become India’s next big superstar. The Borussia Dortmund star ended with stating, “make your mark” to the Chennaiyin FC midfielder, something he’ll definitely aim to do in the AFC Asian Cup.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s towering goalkeeper Yann Sommer also had some words of advice for Gurpreet Sindh Sandhu, who is expected to make his first AFC Asian Cup appearance on Sunday. He said, “Gurpreet, you are a guardian of the posts. Remember, block everything in sight!” Jeje Lalpekhlua might be misfiring right now, but upon hearing words of encouragement for German striker Timo Werner, he’ll probably be pumped up to prove his goal-scoring ability soon.
Finally, German legend Lothar Mattheus, who had recently visited India, had some words of support from the Bundesliga. Mattheus wished the Indian Football team all the very best for the tournament ahead, ending with “Back the Blue”, something which can make every Indian football fan very proud.
With the Indian Football team players in need of support to elevate their performance-level in the AFC Asian Cup, these kind words will definitely light up the fire in them. It proves how the Bundesliga is aiming to create a strong fan-base among Indian viewers and this gentle-men act from these renowned, world-class players will definitely help their cause. However, these wishes prove how the Indian national team is making rounds all over the world and is slowly becoming noticed in the footballing world.
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Schedule & Results
The AFC Asian Cup 2019 is here and we cannot wait to find out who will be crowned the champions of Asia. 24 nations from across the continent will fight it out in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between January 5 and February 1 to decide who takes the prestigious trophy home.
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Top 5 international goalscorers in the tournament
With the AFC Asian Cup 2019 just days away, FOX Sports Asia looks at five players in the competition who have scored the most international goals for their respective nations.
Goal scoring is an art; arguably the most important skill needed in football. While some players are born with an eye for goal, some develop into prolific goal scorers over time, hitting the back of the net on a regular basis to steal the limelight for their side.
The upcoming Asian Cup will feature a number of world-class strikers who have made a living out of being in the right place at the right time, and here we take a look at five of the most prolific ones in the international arena:
#5 Teerasil Dangda (Thailand – 42 goals)
Thailand’s captain for the Asian Cup, Teerasil Dangda returns after being omitted from the War Elephants’ Suzuki Cup squad earlier this year.
Teerasil has 42 goals for Thailand from just 95 appearances and is the only member of the current Thai squad who featured in their previous Asian Cup sojourn.
= 4 Ahmed Khalil (United Arab Emirates – 46 goals)
UAE have two strikers on this list, both of whom have scored the same number of goals. Shabab Al-Ahli striker Ahmed Khalil rose through the ranks, featuring for all of UAE’s age group sides and putting the whole continent on notice with his performances.
However, he couldn’t replicate that form with the senior team, struggling to make an impact in the 2011 Asian Cup as well as the 2012 Olympics, failing to score a single goal in both competitions.
He burst onto the scene in his second Asian Cup – the 2015 edition – scoring four goals to end the tournament ass his side’s second highest scorer.
His prowess in front of goal was also on show in a 2018 World Cup qualification match when he struck four goals against Malaysia in a 10-0 victory.
= 4 Ali Mabkhout (United Arab Emirates – 46 goals)
Arguably one of the most prolific strikers set to feature in the Asian Cup, Ali Mabkhout has notched 46 goals for the UAE in just 73 appearances.
Mabkhout was in prolific form in the 2015 Asian Cup, scoring five goals over the course of the competition and winning the Golden Boot in the process.
He also set a record in Iran’s 2-1 victory over Bahrain by scoring the fastest ever goal in Asian Cup history, finding the back of the net within 14 seconds of kickoff.
Forming a formidable strike partnership with Ahmed Khalil, the onus will be on the two lethal forwards to lead their side to a respectable finish.
#2 Phil Younghusband (Philippines – 52 goals)
Phil Younghusband is his nation’s highest capped player as well as top scorer.
Philippines football has ridden on the shoulders of Phil and his brother James Younghusband’s shoulders for years, and that script continued in the Asian Cup qualifiers when a last-minute penalty from Phil against Tajikistan secured them a berth in the Asian Cup for the first time in their history.
He scored five goals in six games during qualification to finish as his side’s top scorer in the qualifiers.
The 31-year-old has scored 52 goals in 105 appearances for the Azkals and while he failed to find the back of the net too often in the recently concluded Suzuki Cup, he will be looking to make amends when he takes the field in the Asian Cup.
#1 Sunil Chhetri (India – 65 goals)
India’s shining light for over a decade, Sunil Chhetri has waged a lone war trying to establish India on the world map and make them a force to be reckoned with.
Chhetri has scored a whopping 65 international goals from 104 appearances and comfortably tops this list. In fact, he is second on the list of most goals in international fixtures, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, and level with Lionel Messi.
Chhetri scored his first international goal way back in 2005 against Pakistan and he hasn’t slowed down since.
His contributions will play a major role in India’s run in the competition and the skipper of the Blue Tigers will look to at least lead them into the knockout rounds.
https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1010848/afc-asian-cup-2019-top-5-international-goalscorers-chhetri-dangda-phil-younghusband-khalil-mabkhout/
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Brief profiles of India's 23-member squad ahead of first match against Thailand
Why weather conditions will play a key part in AFC Asian Cup 2019
The United Arab Emirates are bidding to become the eighth nation to win the title on home soil.
With the AFC Asian Cup 2019 fast approaching, certain favourites have already been lined up. The likes of South Korea, Japan and Australia are expected to be front-runners for going all the way. However, because of the unpredictable weather conditions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), things could get messy for these countries who aren’t adept to the Western Asia climate that well.
While UAE might be perceived to have a typically Asiatic climate which involves uncomfortable heat most of the year, it’s rather pleasant out there at this time of the year. Dubai, the city to host the most important matches, will stay at around 17 or 18 degree Celsius during the vast period of the tournament. Al Ain and Sharjah, two other prominent venues, will be a degree or two colder on most days.
It might be the perfect conditions to play football, but just pleasant weather isn’t going to help the travelling teams. As history might suggest, West Asian countries have thrived playing in their own part of Asia. However, East Asian nations like Japan, South Korea can’t really say the same. As a matter of fact, the last time the Asian Cup was played in UAE in 1996, both these teams struggled. Japan and Korea were both knocked out in the quarter-finals, South Korea by a west Asian country in Iran.
Japan could be four times Asian Cup champions (the most for any country), but don’t have the best of records against their West Asian foes. They’ve lost six times out of 20 against UAE, and nine out of 20 against Iran. Similarly, South Korea has lost 15 times to Iran in 34 meetings, while six times to Saudi Arabia in 18. Australia also has a dodgy record against Iran, having lost thrice in seven meetings.
The West Asian teams like Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have built dominance in and around their home. Hosts UAE also possesses a stark home record and reached the finals of the Asian Cup when it last took place at the country in 1996. Their neighbours come into the tournament high in confidence. Having known all about the surroundings, they know what it takes to excel in the environment of UAE.
The same, however, cannot be said about the other heavyweights. Not only will unfamiliar grounds around the country be a thorn at their side, but the uncompromising fans of UAE also will not make their life any easier. Japan and Saudi Arabia, for one, have never enjoyed playing in West Asia due to the different culture, conditions and pressure they get from their oppositions.
Australia are also heading into the tournament with a relatively inexperienced team, who’ve barely played in UAE. The pressure of the situation could also get to their youngsters and result in a breakdown against stiff oppositions. Another advantage for neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia & Iran is their fans can travel in packs in order to rally on their troops in UAE.
It’ll be foolish to think perfect weather can mean a perfect tournament for the Asian heavyweights. The difficult environment of UAE along with the unforgiving fanbase can have a mental and physical toll on the players. With countries like UAE, Iran and Saudi Arabia well accustomed to the system of the hosts, it’ll be a mighty task for even the big guns to rattle them.
https://khelnow.com/news/article/afc-asian-cup-2019-weather-condition