January 18 – Hong Kong manager Jorn Andersen has promised that his side will peak for their David-vs-Goliath clash against continental heavyweights Iran and improve from their 4-0 defeat in November in World Cup qualifying.
January 17 – Australia manager Graham Arnold has urged his team to deploy their arial threat against Syria while India’s Igor Stimac wants his team to put in another compact performance but with a better outcome against Uzbekistan.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 17 – On the eve of their second Group B match with the United Arab Emirates, Palestine manager Makram Daboub said his side will draw lessons from their lack of focus in the heavy defeat against Iran, but remained confident of his team’s chances to make the round of 16.
January 16 – Ahead of their second group game with hosts Qatar, Tajikistan and their coach Petar Segrt are dreaming of making history at the Asian Cup, by scoring their first-ever goal and taking another step toward qualification for the last 16.
January 13 – Three-time Asian champions Iran have downplayed their heavyweight status ahead of their Group C opener against Palestine, arguing that “every game will be a final”.
January 12 – India and Australia kick off their Asian Cup campaign on Saturday (January 13) seeking to establish themselves firmly as a part of their regional football firmament.
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
January 12 – Hosts and defending champions Qatar take on Lebanon in the curtain raiser of the Asian Cup on Friday with a point to prove on home soil after a disastrous World Cup campaign and the shock dismissal of Carlos Queiroz last month. Captain Hassan Al Haydos believes the team needs to send a message to the fans.