FT: Al-Jazira 1-0 Mumbai City FC

Al-Jazira scorers: Ali Mabkhout Al-Hajeri (40' PEN)

Venue: King Fahd Stadium

LINE-UPS

Al-Jazira

Ali Khasif Housani, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Mohamed Al-Attas (Nawaf Dhawi), Abdullah Idrees, Zayed Sultan, Ali Mabkhout Al-Hajeri, Abdalla Ramadan, Thulani Serero, Bruno (Mohamed Jamal), Alameri Zayed, Abdoulay Diaby.

Subs: Ali Almemari, Abdullrahman Al Ameri, Mohmed Alwafi, Mohamad Alyammahi, Yousef Ayman, Hamdan Abdulrahman, Zayed Khamis Alsheedi, Hassan Khaled.

^{____________________________}

Mumbai City FC

Mohammad Nawaz, Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy (Mandar Dessai), Amey Ranawade (Mehtab Singh), Bradden Inman (Vinit Rai), Ahmed Jahouh, Lalengmawia, Diego Maurício (Vikram Pratap Singh), Bipin Singh (Raynier Fernandes), Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Subs: Gurkirat Singh, Hmingthan Mawia, Pranjal Bhumij, Ravi Kumar, Mohammad Rakip.

MATCH EVENTS | via

9' Substitution, Mumbai City. Mehtab Singh replaces Amey Ranawade because of an injury.

40' Goal! Al Jazira 1, Mumbai City 0. Ali Mabkhout (Al Jazira) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

41' Diego Maurício (Mumbai City) is shown the yellow card.

41' Ahmed Jahouh (Mumbai City) is shown the yellow card.

44' Substitution, Al Jazira. Nawaf Dhawi replaces Mohammed Al Attas.

45' Substitution, Mumbai City. Vinit Rai replaces Bradden Inman.

54' Vinit Rai (Mumbai City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

62' Substitution, Mumbai City. Vikram Singh replaces Diego Maurício.

74' Substitution, Mumbai City. Mandar Rao Dessai replaces Vignesh Dakshinamurthy.

74' Substitution, Mumbai City. Raynier Fernandes replaces Bipin Singh.

77' Mourtada Fall (Mumbai City) is shown the yellow card.

80' Substitution, Al Jazira. Mohamed Jamal replaces Bruno.

^{Don't see a thread for a match you're watching? to learn how to request a match thread from this bot.}

FT: Al-Jazira Real Madrid

Al-Jazira scorers: Romarinho (41')

Real Madrid scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo (53'), Gareth Bale (81')

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium

LINE-UPS

Al-Jazira

Ali Khasif (Khalid Al Senaani), Mohamed Ayed, Faris Juma, Musallem Fayez, Salim Rashid, Mohamed Al Attas, Khalifa Mubarak (Eissa Al Otaiba), Mbark Boussoufa, Yaqoub Al Hosani (Ahmed Al Ghilani), Ali Mabkhout, Romarinho.

Subs: Saif Khalfan, Sardor Rashidov, Ahmed Al-Attas, Salim Masoud, Salem Saleh, Khaflan Mubarak, Abdullrahman Al Ameri, Salem Al-Eedi, Abdalla Ramadan.

^{____________________________}

Real Madrid

Keylor Navas, Nacho, Raphaël Varane, Marcelo, Achraf Hakimi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, Isco (Marco Asensio), Mateo Kovacic (Lucas Vázquez), Luka Modric, Karim Benzema (Gareth Bale).

Subs: Kiko Casilla, Toni Kroos, Daniel Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente, Borja Mayoral, Theo Hernández, Moha Ramos.

MATCH EVENTS | via

41' Goal! Al Jazira 1, Real Madrid 0. Romarinho (Al Jazira) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mbark Boussoufa.

51' Substitution, Al Jazira. Khalid Al Senaani replaces Ali Khaseif.

53' Goal! Al Jazira 1, Real Madrid 1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Luka Modric with a through ball.

60' Substitution, Al Jazira. Eissa Mohamed replaces Khalifa Mubarak.

68' Mohamed Ayed (Al Jazira) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

68' Substitution, Real Madrid. Marco Asensio replaces Isco.

68' Substitution, Real Madrid. Lucas Vázquez replaces Mateo Kovacic.

72' Substitution, Al Jazira. Ahmed Rabia replaces Yaqoub Al-Hosani.

81' Substitution, Real Madrid. Gareth Bale replaces Karim Benzema.

81' Goal! Al Jazira 1, Real Madrid 2. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lucas Vázquez.

FT: Mumbai City FC 0-0 Al-Jazira

Venue: King Fahd Stadium

LINE-UPS

Mumbai City FC

Phurba Lachenpa, Mehtab Singh, Mourtada Fall, Mandar Dessai, Rahul Bheke, Lalengmawia, Vinit Rai (Bradden Inman), Ahmed Jahouh, Diego Maurício, Bipin Singh (Vikram Pratap Singh), Lallianzuala Chhangte (Raynier Fernandes).

Subs: Mohammad Rakip, Gurkirat Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Hmingthan Mawia, Pranjal Bhumij, Naorem Tondonba Singh, Mohammad Nawaz.

^{____________________________}

Al-Jazira

Ali Khasif Housani, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Nawaf Dhawi, Mohamad Alyammahi (Hamdan Abdulrahman), Zayed Sultan, Ali Mabkhout Al-Hajeri (Mohamed Jamal), Abdalla Ramadan, Thulani Serero, Bruno (Ali Almemari), Alameri Zayed, Abdoulay Diaby.

Subs: Abdullrahman Al Ameri, Yousef Ayman, Zayed Khamis Alsheedi, Mohmed Alwafi, Hassan Khaled.

MATCH EVENTS | via

5' Diego Maurício (Mumbai City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

11' Vinit Rai (Mumbai City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

62' Substitution, Mumbai City. Vikram Singh replaces Bipin Singh.

63' Substitution, Mumbai City. Bradden Inman replaces Vinit Rai.

64' Substitution, Al Jazira. Mohamed Jamal replaces Ali Mabkhout.

88' Substitution, Al Jazira. Hamdan Abdulrahman replaces Mohamad Alyammahi.

88' Substitution, Mumbai City. Raynier Fernandes replaces Lallianzuala Chhangte.

89' Substitution, Al Jazira. Ali Almemari replaces Bruno.

^{Don't see a thread for a match you're watching? to learn how to request a match thread from this bot.}

Chelsea scorers: Romelu Lukaku (54'), Kai Havertz (117' pen.)

Palmeiras scorers: Raphael Veiga (64' pen.)

MATCH INFORMATION

Competition: -

Venue: - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Kickoff: 20:30 GST / 16:30 UTC / 13:30 BRT /

TV:

Referees: Chris Beath (AUS) - Anton Shchetinin (AUS) - Ashley Beecham (AUS) - Mustapha Ghorbal (ALG)

ROAD TO THE FINAL

FIFA Club World Cup

LINEUPS

MATCH EVENTS

1' - We're off in Abu Dhabi!

6' - My stream has finally started working, apologies for that.

10' - Rony's shot flies safely wide.

11' - Chelsea respond quickly, Hudson-Odoi has a shot in the box but it's blocked and cleared out.

12' - Mount brought down by Zé Rafael, and Chelsea will have a free kick.

14' - Azpilicueta is just late to a ball played across, goal kick.

15' - Chelsea win another free kick, this one closer; Lukaku is fouled by Joaquín Piquerez.

16' - Mount goes directly for goal himself with the freekick, it's well wide.

18' - Palmeiras have a pair of chances, as Gustavo Scarpa's ball is played back out and Dudu's cross is headed towards goal but saved by Mendy.

22' - Kanté leaves it for Lukaku in the box but the shot is deflected out.

24' - Dudu has a fantastic shot, it's just high and wide right.

26' - Havertz can't get his shot off the ground, as it rolls wide.

28' - Palmeiras have their best chance of the match, as Zé Rafael and Dudu play it back and forth but are eventually unable to get a shot on target.

31' - The first substitution of the game is an early one; Christian Pulišić replaces the injured Mason Mount.

35' - Pulišić plays a ball in and Lukaku touches it towards goal but it's not a problem for Weverton.

38' - Chelsea have a ball in but Weverton and Pulišić come together, free kick coming out.

40' - Rony's shot from distance is well over the bar.

44' - Another chance that doesn't quite work out for Palmeiras; Zé Rafael tries to play it across the box but it's stolen away.

45+2' - The long-range effort from Silva is tipped just wide by Weverton.

Half time: Chelsea 0–0 Palmeiras.

46' - The second half is underway.

53' - Rony gets into the box but Rüdiger slows the run.

54' - - (via )

59' - The Brazilian side makes their first change, Zé Rafael makes way for Jailson Siqueira.

61' - Palmeiras have a chance in the box! Mendy ultimately comes up with it, but there are shouts from Palmeiras for handball!

62' - The referee heads to the monitor and gives a penalty! Thiago Silva was the Chelsea player that handled the ball inside the penalty area, and Palmeiras will have a chance from the spot to even the match!

64' - - (via )

67' - A poor giveaway in the defending third for Chelsea; Palmeiras will have a throw.

71' - Dudu's effort gets the ball to Raphael Veiga, whose shot is saved.

73' - Lukaku touches to Pulišić, who has a shot that rolls just wide-left.

76' - Chelsea make a double change: Saúl Ñíguez and Timo Werner replace Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

77' - Palmeiras make a pair of substitutions of their own, as Wesley and Eduard Atuesta enter in place of Rony and Raphael Vaiga.

90' - Pulišić lines up to take the FK as the fourth official shows we'll play five more minutes.

90+2' - The cross from Werner is knocked out to Kovačić, the shot is blasted over the bar.

90+5' - Ball out off Luan, corner Chelsea.

End of second half: Chelsea 1–1 Palmeiras.

91' - Extra time is underway! Chelsea make two changes, Hakim Ziyech and Malang Sarr replace Andreas Christensen and Mateo Kovačić.

97' - Dudu called for a foul in the middle of the field, to much protest from the Palmeiras players.

99' - Chance for Chelsea, Havertz was offside but his cross to Pulišić hit off the post anyway.

103' - A change for Palmeiras with Dudu making way for Rafael Navarro.

105' - Wesley receives the game's first booking.

105+1' - Rafael Navarro gets a through ball and is 2-on-1, he's brought down and only then is the play brought back for offside.

HT-ET - We'll have fifteen minutes left to play.

106' - Free kick for Palmeiras near midfield.

108' - A ball in to the back post leads to a collision between Havertz and Weverton.

111' - Shot from Werner is just over the bar.

113' - Chance for Chelsea! Ball over is glanced wide by Havertz but it's out for a corner.

114' - Chelsea desperately want a handball in the penalty area, the referee not interested initially but will head to the monitor.

115' - Penalty Chelsea! Handball is called in the penalty area, as the ball came off the hand of Luan, who has been booked!

116' - Eduard Atuesta is booked as well for protesting the call.

117' - - (via )

118' - A change for Palmeiras, Deyverson replaces Marcos Rocha. Caution for Havertz for removing his shirt during the celebration.

120' - Three more minutes to play, to the displeasure of some Palmeiras fans.

120+1' - A yellow is shown to Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira.

120+4' - Havertz goes down in the box, referee says Luan got the ball cleanly.

120+5' - A check is ongoing for a possible red card on Luan, and the referee will go to the monitor for the third time.

120+6' - - (via )

Full time: Chelsea 2–1 Palmeiras.

, via

About

• Nickname(s): The Whites

• AFC Asian Cup Appearances: 10

• Best Finish:Runner-up (1996)

• FIFA Ranking: 79 (8th in Asia)

Introduction

Hosts United Arab Emirates enter the tournament on a mission to improve on their best finish, which came in 1996 when they hosted the tournament for the first time. After a great performance in 2015, which yielded a surprise third place finish for the UAE, fans will have high expectations in what perhaps is the last chance for the golden generation. Faced with what could be considered as an easy group and an open path to the semi-final, the Sons of Zayed under the leadership of Alberto Zaccheroni must fade off the pressure and keep the trophy in the UAE.

Manager and Squad

Manager:

Goalkeepers: Ali Khasif (Al-Jazira), Khalid Eisa (Al-Ain), Mohamed Al-Shamsi (Al-Wahda)

Defenders: Fares Juma (Al-Ain), Bandar Al-Ahbabi (Al-Ain), Walid Abbas (Shabab Al-Ahli), Khalifa Mubarak (Al-Nasr), Ali Salmeen (Al-Wasl), Khalifa Al-Hammadi (Al-Jazira), Al Hassan Saleh (Al-Sharjah), Ismail Ahmed (Al-Ain), Mohamed Ahmed (Al-Ain)

Midfielders: Saif Rashid (Al-Sharjah), Khalfan Mubarak (Al-Jazira), Amer Abdulrahman (Al-Ain), Majed Hassan (Shabab Al-Ahli), Khamis Esmaeel (Al-Wasl), Rayan Yaslam (Al-Ain), Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al-Ahli), Mohamed Abdulrahman (Al-Ain)

Forwards: Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al-Ahli), Ali Mabkhout (Al-Jazira), Ismail Matar (Al-Wahda)

Players to Watch

: Ahmed Khalil is the star striker of the golden generation trio that consists of him, Ali Mabkhout and the injured Omar Abdulrahman. Despite being capped 97 times, the 27-year old striker has been overshadowed a bit by his above mentioned compatriots. Khalil scored 4 goals in the last Asian Cup, where he led the UAE to a surprise third place finish after beating front-runners Japan in the quarter finals. The Al Ahli striker is expected to be instrumental for the UAE’s campaign this year, especially now when he finally hit good form again after a long period of injuries and unsuccessful transfers.

: He is perhaps the most influential player of the golden generation, scoring 44 goals in 65 caps for the UAE. The Al Jazira attacker can pretty much play in any attacking position, but he has mainly featured as a striker on club level where he has a very impressive 122 goals in only 161 matches. Mabkhout stole the spotlight from Ahmed Khalil and Omar Abdulrahman in the last Asian Cup, when he finished the tournament as top scorer with 5 goals. He isn’t as flashy as Abdulrahman, nor possesses an impressive physique like Khalil, but he compensates with incredible finishing and pace.

Points of Discussion

• How significant Will the absence of star Omar Abdulrahman be?

Alberto Zaccheroni has used a slow possession-based style while building a very strong defence. In the Gulf Cup in December 2017, the UAE played the most boring football imaginable even to Emirati fans. In 3 group stage matches, the semi-final and the final, 4 matches including the semi-final and the final ended 0-0, while the opening match against Kuwait ended with a 1-0 victory thanks to Ali Mabkhout’s penalty goal. Zaccheroni’s team was built around Omar’s skills, aiming to feed him the ball and let him create chances through his excellent dribbling and vision. His injury might be a blessing in disguise and become a catalyst for a quicker style that actually produces goals, instead of the current tactics that are strong in defence, but in attack they are more impotent than a eunuch.

• Hosts + Easy Path = Champions (maybe)?

The UAE will enter a fairly easy group against India, Thailand and Bahrain. Unless a big surprise happens, the UAE will comfortably top the group and march in to the round of 16. Then they will face one of the third placed teams, most likely one of Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan. That means that the UAE should realistically not face any big difficulty in reaching at least the quarter finals. That’s where the trickiest part starts, where the UAE will finally face the big teams. In 1996 when the UAE last hosted the Asian Cup, they were also lucky with the draw, where they played the relatively mediocre Iraq and Kuwait before losing to Saudi Arabia on penalties in the final. Emirati fans will hope to make use of the favourable condition and push the team beyond their normal capabilities and finally join the exclusive winner club with the likes of Japan, Iran and Iraq.

, via

About

• Nickname(s): The War Elephants

• AFC Asian Cup Appearances: 7

• Best Finish: Third Place (1972)

• FIFA Ranking: 118 (22nd in Asia)

Introduction

Thailand is in the center of the Southeast Asian peninsula. With a population of approximately 68 million people, “The Land of Smiles” has a proud footballing history.

The War Elephants are historically the most successful football team in Southeast Asia, boasting five ASEAN Football Championship titles, nine senior-level Southeast Asian Games titles, a bronze finish in the 1972 AFC Asian Cup, and a fourth place finish on four occasions in the Asian Games.

After being eliminated from the World Cup campaign, Thailand appointed Milovan Rajevac as head coach. Rajevac is most noted for his spell as manager of Ghana from 2008-2010, when they went unbeaten in qualification en route to a quarter-final loss to Uruguay via penalty shootout in the 2010 World Cup.

Manager and Squad

Manager:

Goalkeepers: Saranon Anuin (Chiangrai United) , Chatchai Budprom (BG Pathum United) , Siwarak Tedsungnoen (Buriram United)

Defenders: Mika Chunuonsee (Bangkok United) , Pansa Hemviboon (Buriram United) , Chalermpong Kerdkaew (Nakhon Ratchasima) , Korrakor Wiriyaudomsiri (Buriram United) , Theerathon Bunmathan (Muangthong United) , Tristan Do (Bangkok United) , Suphan Thongsong (Suphanburi) , Adisorn Promrak (Muangthong United)

Midfielders: Thitipan Puangchan (BG Pathum United) , Sanrawat Dechmitr (Bangkok United) , Thanaboon Kesarat (BG Pathum United) , Pokklaw Anan (Bangkok United) , Sumanya Purisai (Bangkok United) , Sasalak Haiprakhon (Buriram United) , Chanathip Songkrasin (Consadole Sapporo)

Forwards: Adisak Kraisorn (Muangthong United) , Supachai Jaided (Buriram United) , Teerasil Dangda (Muangthong United) , Siroch Chatthong (PT Prachuap) , Chananan Pombuppha (Suphanburi)

Players to Watch

: Perennial J-League star Chanathip Songkrasin will undoubtedly be the player to watch. As Thailand’s biggest star, and most decorated foreign-based talent, Chanathip can play both centrally or out wide, with pace and trickery to out think, standing at minuscule 5'3" stature. This Asian Cup will be the biggest of his quality yet.

: Kraisorn has a lot of competition with the likes of experienced head Teerasil Dangda and young prospect Supachai Jaided also looking to take the starting spot, but Kraisorn is coming into the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in sinciliting form after a solid 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup, where he scored 8 goals in the tournament, of course with 6 of them coming in a 7-0 win against Timor-Leste

Points of Discussion

• Rajevac on the Hot Seat

There is a lot of pressure on manager Milovan Rajevac, as many fans are disappointed with the team’s performance in the Suzuki Cup. Rajevac is a results-oriented manager who thus far has not played to his squad’s strengths. Thai teams naturally gravitate toward expansive, attacking football, and Rajevac’s tenure has been dominated by pragmatic, defensive play. With a number of stars who were left out of the Suzuki cup now returning, the pressure will be on Rajevac to not only get results, but to play a more forward-thinking version of attacking football.

• Impact of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

The tragic loss of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has left a large hole in Thai football. While his role in developing the sport in Thailand is not as noted as his success with Leicester, he played a tremendous role in developing young, Thai talent by donating over 1 million footballs to kids, building hundreds of public pitches, and giving local youth the chance to gain exposure and train at a level that was thought to be mostly unattainable until he came.

via

About

• Nickname(s): Blue Tigers

• AFC Asian Cup Appearances: 4 Times

• Best Finish: Runners Up (1964)

• FIFA Ranking: 97 (15th in Asia)

Introduction

Returning to the AFC Asian Cup for only the 4th time ever, India will be looking to improve on their performance back in the 2011 edition of the competition. Back then, India were paired in a group consisting of favorites Australia and South Korea while Bahrain, a regular decent Asian side, also featured. India lost all three matches, with all three pretty much decided by halftime, but the fact that India participated was what mattered. This was India's first Asian Cup appearance in 27 years, since 1984.

1964 and 1984

India first participated in the AFC Asian Cup in 1964, the competitions 3rd edition. India qualified automatically after all other teams in the Western Zone of qualification withdrew. Despite that, India showed why they deserved to be in the competition by finishing as the tournament runners-up. They started with a 2-1 victory over South Korea, followed by 2-0 defeat by hosts Israel, and finally a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong. This would be India's best finish in the tournament.

India would fail to qualify for the Asian Cup until 1984, when they finished 2nd in Group 3 during qualification. However, unlike 20 years earlier, India couldn't make it out of the group stage and ended last in Group B (consisting of China, Iran, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore).

Path to 2019

India's path to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup began in 2015 with the qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Despite being in a group consisting of Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Guam, India finished in last place, with only 1 victory and 7 defeats. This meant that India didn't qualify for the World Cup and the Asian Cup automatically but instead had to go through another two rounds of qualification for the Asian Cup.

India were drawn to play against Laos in the play-in round for Asian Cup qualification. Following a 1-0 victory in Leg 1, India managed to destroy their opposition in the second leg 6-1 (7-1 aggregate). India now had one more round of qualification to go through. They were placed in Group A consisting of Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, and Macau. India managed to comfortably qualify after winning 4 of their matches, drawing once as well.

Manager and Squad

Manager:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru) , Vishal Kaith (Pune City) , Amrinder Singh (Mumbai City)

Defenders: Narayan Das (Delhi Dynamos) , Pritam Kotal (Delhi Dynamos) , Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters) , Anas Edathodika (Kerala Blasters) , Subhasish Bose (Mumbai City) , Salam Ranjan Singh (East Bengal) , Sarthak Golui (Pune City)

Midfielders: Rowllin Borges (Northeast United) , Halicharan Narzary (Kerala Blasters) , Jackichand Singh (Goa) , Pronay Halder (ATK) , Udanta Singh (Bengaluru) , Anirudh Thapa (Chennaiyin) , Ashique Kuruniyan (Pune City) , Germanpreet Singh (Chennaiyin) , Vinit Rai (Delhi Dynamos)

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru) , Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin) , Balwant Singh (ATK) , Sumeet Passi (Jamshedpur)

All the players here play in the Indian Super League and have been used extensively by head coach Stephan Constantine.

Players to Watch

: The 26-year-old goalkeeper has 26 caps for India. A product of East Bengal, Sandhu moved to play in Europe in 2013 when he joined Norweigan side Staebek. He was the club's 2nd choice goalkeeper but played in the Europa League qualifiers with them before returning to India and joining Bengaluru. He played a massive part in Bengaluru finishing 1st in ISL last season and did well in the ISL Final. He is tall (6 ft, 4 inches), can stretch really well for saves,. and commands his defense well. Weakness is probably his agility but he makes up for it by making himself big in major moments.

: 25-year-old centerback with Kerala Blasters. Came out of nowhere after okay performances in the I-League. Joined the Blasters in 2014 and has now become captain. 6 foot 2 inches, he is a good reader of plays, isnt afraid to get stuck in and tackle, and good at heading the ball away or in on corners for India. Weakness can be that he tends to be rash and is a walking yellow card.

: India's main man and arguably best player EVER. 34 years old but despite that, has 65 goals in 103 games, a lot of them coming in the last 4 years! Has played abroad in the United States and Portugal, he is India's posterboy and still does well in the Indian Super League for Bengaluru. This season he has 5 goals in 11 matches. Physically very strong but agile as well. Technical ability is great and his finishing is out of this world

: Expected to be India's starting striker, the 27-year-old Mizo has done well since making his debut in 2011. Has 22 goals in 52 matches. Whether he will do well here is questioned right now as he isn't in the best form. This season for Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League, Lalpekhlua has not scored a single goal from 11 matches. Last season he managed 9 goals from 20 matches.

: The 22-year-old speedster is one of India's best young talents. Great dribbling skills, decent passer of the ball, and good off the ball, Udanta will be one to look out for at the Asian Cup. Will be relied upon for the counter. Weakness is his finishing.

Notable Mention: Rowllin Borges and Anas Edathodika

Points of Discussion

• The Coach: Stephen Constantine: India's coach for the Asian Cup is Stephen Constantine. The Englishman will be coaching a side in the competition for the first time. He is credited with helping India improve drastically in the FIFA rankings. When he arrived, India were ranked 173. India is now 97. However, it can also be noted that he was India's coach during their horrendous World Cup qualification campaign, overseeing bad results such as a defeat to Guam. The players have also been reportedly vocal over their dislike of the coach, including Sunil Chhetri. Despite this, Constantine has helped India become a more cohesive unit and more organized than they were under the Dutchman, Wim Koevermans. He has also given opportunities to young players but has also be criticized for not selected all the best players and having favorites, many of which don't play for their club sides. Tactically, Constantine prefers either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. He has been noted of using route 1 football.

• Our Predictions

• : Expected India to lose all 3 matches but hopefully not as badly as 2011. United Arab Emirates are tournament hosts and will be looking at this match as the match to go all out, at least in the first half. Thailand and Bahrain will also look for 3 points against us as the strategy will be whoever doesn't get 3 points against India would be knocked-out. Honestly, not upset if we lose all 3 games. Losing them would mean our coach would be sacked. Still won't be rooting for defeat.

• : We are the weakest team in the group no doubt. So expecting us to finish last. But luck has been on our side recently and good sides haven't been able to finish inspite of creating plenty of chances against us, case in point 0-0 draw with China. Hence a hoping for a positive result vs Thailand or Bahrain.

• : Feeling optimistic and expect India to pull off a draw against Bahrain and/or Thailand and somehow make it to that "best third-placed team"

, via

About

• Nickname(s): Al-Ahmar (The Red)

• AFC Asian Cup Appearances: 6

• Best Finish: Fourth (2004)

• FIFA Ranking: 113 (20th in Asia)

Introduction

Bahrain's national team is one of the most well known and respected west Asia teams. The team is known for competing in the world club qualifiers and in the regional Arabian gulf but never managing to make is as the winners. The team almost made it to the world cup twice in 2006 and 2010 when they played other continents for the half Asian ticket (2006: Trinidad and Tobago, 2010: New Zealand). The team's peak was from early 2000 to 2010 where they competed the most and placed 4th in the Asian cup in 2004. Most of the players currently participating were not part of the squad in the previous Asia Cup. Bahrain are hoping that Bahrain can have a good showing in the UAE after being drawn in a favorable group.

Manager and Squad

Manager:

Goalkeepers: Sayed Shubbar Alawi (Al-Najma), Yusuf Habib (Malkiya Club), Abdulkarim Fardan (Al-Riffa)

Defenders: Sayed Baqer (Al-Nasr), Waleed Al Hayam (Al-Muharraq), Hamad Al-Shamsan (Al-Riffa), Ahmed Merza (Al-Hidd), Ahmed Juma (Al-Muharraq), Sayed Redha Isa (Al-Riffa), Ahmed Bughammar (Al-Hidd), Ahmed Abdulla (Al-Najma)

Midfielders: Sayed Dhiya Saeed (Al-Nasr), Abdulwahab Al-Safi (Al-Muharraq), Mohamed Marhoon (Al-Riffa), Ali Madan (Al-Najma), Ali Haram (Al-Riffa), Jasim Al-Shaikh (Al-Ahli), Komail Al Aswad (Al-Riffa), Jamal Rashed (Al-Muharraq),

Forwards: Mahdi Al-Humaidan (Al-Ahli), Abdulla Yusuf Helal (Bohemians), Mohamed Al Romaihi (Manama Club), Sami Al-Husaini (East Riffa),

Players to Watch

: A good dribbling left wing and one of the more experienced player of the team. Occasionally loses the ball under pressure and his movement is somewhat slow.

: (Left)The team's best player in Arabian Gulf cup last year. Can play as a playmaker (No. 10) or deeper in central midfield. His defending is suspect and can be caught out easily.

: Recently joined a European team in Czech republic and is reported to be doing well. Good attacker who may bring something new from his European experience. When playing in Bahrain and with the national team, his finishing was not the best.

: Was the captain of under 19 team two years ago and had good performances. Has been playing in Denmark for a year now and not much is known about his progress. Does not have much first team experience. Plays central/defensive midfield shielding the back 4

Points of Discussion

• Experienced players who are still in good form not joining the squad: Sayed Mohammed Jaffar (GK and previous captain) and Ismael Abdullateef (FW)

• The coach took this job some time ago. He is expected to show progress in his results at this tournament.

• Bahrain is probably going to battle Thailand for the second position in the group stage.

Tune in tomorrow when will be posting Group B! Australia, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan.

Don't forget to participate in the Predictions Game in the comments below!

FT: Al Hilal Al-Jazira

Al Hilal scorers: Odion Ighalo (36'), Matheus Pereira (40'), Mohamed Kanno (57'), Salem Al-Dawsari (77'), Moussa Marega (88'), André Carrillo (90'+2' PEN)

Al-Jazira scorers: Abdoulay Diaby (14')

Venue: Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium

LINE-UPS

Al Hilal

Abdullah Al-Mayouf, Ali Hadi Albulayhi, Jang Hyun-Soo (Al Mufarrij), Yaseer Al-Shahrani (Mohammed Al-Burayk), Saud Abdulhamid, Matheus Pereira, Gustavo Cuéllar, Mohamed Kanno (Mohammed Jahfali), Odion Ighalo (André Carrillo), Salem Al-Dawsari (Michael Delgado), Moussa Marega.

Subs: Abdulrahman Al-Obaid, Abdullah Al-Jadani, Saleh Khalid Al-Shehri, Musab Fahz Aljuwayr, Mohammed Al-Owais, Hamad Altuhayfan.

^{____________________________}

Al-Jazira

Ali Khasif Housani, Milos Kosanovic, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Mohamed Al-Attas, Abdullah Idrees (Alameri Zayed), Mohammed Rabii, Abdalla Ramadan, Thulani Serero, Joao Victor (Ali Mabkhout Al-Hajeri), Abdoulay Diaby, Ahmed Al-Attas (Oumar Traoré).

Subs: Yousef Ayman, Zayed Sultan, Mohamed Jamal, Mamadou Coulibaly, Nawaf Dhawi, Abdullrahman Al Ameri, Rakaan Waleed, Bruno, Salim Rashid.

MATCH EVENTS | via

14' Goal! Al-Hilal 0, Al Jazira 1. Abdoulaye Diaby (Al Jazira) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mohammed Rabii.

36' Goal! Al-Hilal 1, Al Jazira 1. Odion Ighalo (Al-Hilal) header from very close range to the high centre of the goal.

40' Goal! Al-Hilal 2, Al Jazira 1. Matheus Pereira (Al-Hilal) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Salem Al Dawsari.

46' Milos Kosanovic (Al Jazira) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

57' Goal! Al-Hilal 3, Al Jazira 1. Mohamed Kanno (Al-Hilal) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Matheus Pereira with a cross following a corner.

60' Substitution, Al Jazira. Ali Mabkhout replaces João Victor.

60' Substitution, Al Jazira. Zayed Al Ameri replaces Abdullah Idrees.

61' Substitution, Al Jazira. Oumar Traoré replaces Ahmed Al Hashmi.

75' Substitution, Al-Hilal. André Carrillo replaces Odion Ighalo.

77' Goal! Al-Hilal 4, Al Jazira 1. Salem Al Dawsari (Al-Hilal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Moussa Marega.

83' Substitution, Al-Hilal. Mohammed Al Burayk replaces Yaseer Al Shahrani.

83' Substitution, Al-Hilal. Michael replaces Salem Al Dawsari.

84' Substitution, Al-Hilal. Mohammed Jahfali replaces Mohamed Kanno.

87' Substitution, Al-Hilal. Muteb Al Mufarrij replaces Jang Hyun-Soo.

88' Goal! Al-Hilal 5, Al Jazira 1. Moussa Marega (Al-Hilal) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mohammed Jahfali following a corner.

89' Mohammed Rabii (Al Jazira) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

90'+2' Goal! Al-Hilal 6, Al Jazira 1. André Carrillo (Al-Hilal) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

^{Don't see a thread for a match you're watching? to learn how to request a match thread from this bot.}