Asian Cup: Champions Australia stumble but big boys make it, Yemen bow out

Tom Rogic’s injury-time winner over Syria confirmed Australia’s place in the Asia Cup knockout rounds.

Australia made it through but had to dig deep.
The group stage of the 2019 Asian Cup is over, but there have been plenty of talking points from the competition so far. Here are five things you may have missed.
Champions Australia stumble but big boys stroll through

At the end of Australia’s opening game defeat to Jordan, the dry desert air was abuzz with talk of an upset. Could the champions, with their injuries and seeming underestimation of their group rivals, be heading for an early exit?
However, when only eight teams out of 24 are eliminated…

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Asian Cup debut a rare source of good news for war-torn Yemen

The Yemen national team will make their Asian Cup debut on Monday against Iran.
Yemen will be making their Asian Cup debut when they face three-time champions Iran on Monday and, while the players are set to be thrust into the limelight like never before, the team’s assistant coach is confident stage fright will not be an issue.
Milos Brozek told Reuters that Yemen, the tournament’s lowest-ranked national team at No. 135, had nothing to lose when they face the highly fancied Iranians in Abu Dhabi.
“Sometimes if you are somewhere for the first time you don’t really realize just…

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Philippines, Yemen both qualify for Asian Cup for first time

Philippines beat Tajikistan to advance to the Asian Cup.
Philippines, North Korea and Yemen earned the final three qualification places for next year’s Asian Cup on Tuesday.
Philippines beat Tajikistan 2-1 in Manila to secure their spot, a result that also meant Yemen qualified before they even took the pitch against Nepal.
Needing a draw to qualify, Philippines — managed by former United States international Thomas Dooley — fell behind in the 64th minute as Ahktam Nazarov converted a penalty.
But Kevin Ingreso equalised with a header 10 minutes later,…

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U.S. travel ban could affect chances of hosting 2026 World Cup – FIFA chief

ESPN FC’s Herculez Gomez weighs the pros and cons of a 2026 World Cup joint-bid between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban could prevent the United States from hosting the World Cup.
The United States is favourite to win the right to host the 2026 World Cup, either on its own or in a cross-border bid with either, or both, Mexico and Canada.
But President Trump on Monday signed a new executive order banning immigration from six Muslim-majority countries, which could have implications for the nation’s ability to host football’s biggest…

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