AFC Asian Cup
Hosts and defending champions Qatar welcome Lebanon to Lusail Stadium fon Friday for the competition’s curtain raiser, in what is set to be the beginning of an enthralling month of action.
From special welcomes to the training pitch, the-AFC.com takes a look at the social media channels of the teams involved.
Qatar – Hosts ready to defend their title
The 2019 champions will have the advantage of defending their AFC Asian Cu™ crown on home soil, with the team arriving at its residence in Al Messila Resort before the start of the tournament.
It will be déjà vu for newly appointed head coach Marquez Lopez’s charges as they begin their campaign against Lebanon, which was also their first assignment in 2019 with Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali’s goals recording a 2-0 victory five years ago.
Australia – “Overwhelming” welcome for the Socceroos
Australia are aiming to reclaim the title they won in 2015, with the team arriving in Doha from Abu Dhabi on Tuesday on the back of a 2-0 win against Bahrain in their final warm-up game.
The Socceroos received a welcome to remember upon their landing with Connor Metcalfe saying, “We felt like celebrities” while Jackson Irvine stated that the welcome was “overwhelming and unexpected”.
India – Star-studded cast in Blue Tigers camp
Team India were the first to arrive in Qatar back on December 31, with the team going through a series of training sessions under the watchful eyes of Igor Stimac ahead of Saturday’s Group B clash with Australia.
The Croatian tactician has brought in former England international Trevor Sinclair as part of his coaching set-up for the AFC Asian Cup, with the legendary Bora Milutinovic paying a visit to the camp to encourage the Indian players ahead of their tough assignments.
Saudi Arabia – Salem undergoes unique training
Reigning AFC Player of the Year, Salem Al Dawsari shared snaps of him undergoing special training in which he is seen using masks while sprinting.
These masks are used to analyse oxygen and carbohydrates and find out the players’ aerobic and anaerobic thresholds and their current power. It looks like Roberto Mancini is aiming to launch the strongest version of Salem Al Dawsari!
Korea Republic – Klinsmann at work
Jurgen Klinsmann is ensuring that he leaves no stone unturned in Korea Republic’s quest to end their 64-year wait for their third AFC Asian Cup title.
The German head coach was seen carrying and arranging goal posts and other training equipment, wasting no time ahead of the Taeguk Warriors’ first Group E match against Bahrain.
Islamic Republic of Iran – Team Melli land in Doha
And finally, the Iranian squad have also landed in Qatar ahead of their tournament opener against Palestine on January 14.
Team Melli left their training base in Kish Island and took the short flight to Doha before heading straight to the training pitch.
Photo: Qatar Football Association
