UAE celebrates 2019 Asian Cup

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  • Australia hosted and won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup

    UAE Football Association president Yousif Al Serkal has led the celebrations after the nation was named as hosts for the 2019 Asian Cup yesterday.

    The UAE headed off competition from sole challengers Iran to win an unanimous decison from the Asian Football Confederation Executive Committee in Manama, Bahrain.

    The selection for the competition – which is expected to see a rise from 16 to 24 teams – was met with huge cheer once it had been officially announced on the continental governing body’s official Twitter account at 17:00.

    At the end of the delayed two-hour meeting in the Bahraini capital, Al Serkal and AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa signed the hosting certificate to see Asia’s most high-profile footballing event return to the Emirates in January 2019.

    The Whites made the final when they played hosts in 1996, losing a penalty shootout to Saudi Arabia.

    “The winning of the process to become hosts of the Asian Cup puts us in front of a big challenge and I hope the tournament will reflect the good reputation enjoyed by the UAE through its ability to host major global events,” Al Serkal said.

    “There is great confidence in the elements of safety and security enjoyed by the UAE under its leadership. The UAE’s proven ability to host major international events was the most prominent factor in securing an unanimous vote of AFC members.”

    Australia's hosting was a unanimous success

    The UAE had come into the final round as strong favourites in a field that had once contained 11 competing member associations.

    A range of criteria was used to separate the bids, including stadiums, transport, infrastructure, hotels, visas and various other sporting, logistical and administrative issues.

    The UAE bid for the Asian Cup features six stadiums in three cities. Games will be held at Zayed Sports City and Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium in Al Ain and Dubai International Cricket Stadium plus an under-construction venue in Dubai Sports City.

    A series of FIFA competitions have recently been successfully held in the Emirates. This includes the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups, the 24-nation 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

    AFC president Shaikh Salman hailed the strength of the UAE’s proposal, believing the next Asian Cup could outshine January’s event in Australia during which the Whites secured third spot.

    He said: “The AFC Executive Committee was convinced by the merits of the UAE bid. I firmly believe that the UAE Football Association will host a tournament that could match and potentially even surpass the stunning AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia.”

    Asia’s 46 national teams will take part in a three-round qualification process, with the first two doubling up as as qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The UAE are guaranteed entry to the former as hosts and enter during the second round which begins in June.

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