United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup

The United Arab Emirates is one of the more successful teams in the Asian Cup qualifying for ten editions from 1980 to 2019. They have qualified for the semi-finals on four occasions, as well as the final in 1996, however they have never won an Asian Cup.

Overall record

edit
AFC Asian Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1956 to   1972 Part of the   United Kingdom Part of the   United Kingdom
  1976 Did not enter Did not enter
  1980 Group stage 9th 4 0 1 3 3 9 3 1 2 0 2 0
  1984 Group stage 6th 4 2 0 2 3 8 4 3 0 1 24 2
  1988 Group stage 8th 4 1 0 3 2 4 5 4 1 0 12 1
  1992 Fourth place 4th 5 1 3 1 3 4 2 2 0 0 6 3
  1996 Runners-up 2nd 6 4 2 0 8 3 Qualified as hosts
  2000 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 12 2
  2004 Group stage 15th 3 0 1 2 1 5 6 4 1 1 13 5
        2007 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 3 6 6 4 1 1 11 6
  2011 Group stage 13th 3 0 1 2 0 4 4 3 0 1 7 1
  2015 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 10 8 6 5 1 0 18 3
  2019 Semi-finals 4th 6 3 2 1 8 8 Qualified as hosts
  2023 Round of 16 12th 4 1 2 1 6 5 8 6 0 2 23 7
  2027 Qualified 6 5 1 0 16 2
Total Runners-up 12/13 48 16 13 19 46 65 54 40 7 7 144 32

Record by opponent

edit
AFC Asian Cup matches (by team)
Opponent Total Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD
  Australia 2 1 0 1 1 2 –1
  Bahrain 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1
  China 2 0 1 1 1 6 –5
  Hong Kong 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2
  India 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4
  Indonesia 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2
  Iran 6 0 1 5 1 10 –9
  Iraq 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1
  Japan 4 1 2 1 3 4 –1
  Jordan 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
  Kuwait 4 2 1 1 6 6 0
  Kyrgyzstan 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1
  Malaysia 1 0 0 1 0 2 –2
  North Korea 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1
  Palestine 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
  Qatar 5 2 0 3 8 10 –2
  Saudi Arabia 2 0 1 1 0 2 –2
  Singapore 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1
  South Korea 4 0 1 3 2 8 –6
  Tajikistan 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
  Thailand 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
  Vietnam 1 0 0 1 0 2 –2

1980 AFC Asian Cup

edit

The UAE would make their first appearance in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup. This was seen as a historic achievement as it would serve the first stepping stone for UAE's golden era. They would draw to the eventual champions Kuwait, but lose their remaining games and finish bottom of the group.

Group stage

edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   South Korea 4 3 1 0 10 2 +8 7 Advance to knockout stage
2   Kuwait (H) 4 2 1 1 8 5 +3 5
3   Malaysia 4 1 2 1 5 5 0 4
4   Qatar 4 1 1 2 3 8 −5 3
5   United Arab Emirates 4 0 1 3 3 9 −6 1
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts


United Arab Emirates  1–1  Kuwait
Chombi   35' Al-Houti   19'

Qatar  2–1  United Arab Emirates
Muftah   50', 60' Al-Hajri   58'

Malaysia  2–0  United Arab Emirates
Abdah   32'
Tukamin   89'

South Korea  4–1  United Arab Emirates
Choi Soon-ho   26', 53', 78' (pen.)
Chung Hae-won   84'
Chombi   79'

1984 AFC Asian Cup

edit

In the 1984 edition, the UAE would see an improvement as they collected their first two victories against India and Singapore but took two devastating defeats against Iran and China which resulted in another group stage exit.

Group stage

edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   China 4 3 0 1 10 2 +8 6 Advance to knockout stage
2   Iran 4 2 2 0 6 1 +5 6
3   United Arab Emirates 4 2 0 2 3 8 −5 4
4   Singapore (H) 4 1 1 2 3 4 −1 3
5   India 4 0 1 3 0 7 −7 1
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Iran  3–0  United Arab Emirates
Alidousti   27'
Shahrokh Bayani   85' (pen.)
Mohammadkhani   87'
Attendance: 8,000

United Arab Emirates  2–0  India
Al-Talyani   81'
Khamees   88'
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Abu Wahid Shanbe (Oman)

Singapore  0–1  United Arab Emirates
Abdulrahman   62'
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Jassim Mandi (Bahrain)

China  5–0  United Arab Emirates
Yang Zhaohui   12'
Jia Xiuquan   20'
Zuo Shusheng   36'
Zhao Dayu   52'
Gu Guangming   67'
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Shizuo Takada (Japan)

1988 AFC Asian Cup

edit

During the 1988 AFC Asian Cup, the UAE would again lose in the group stages, only winning once against Japan. Despite this devastating campaign, the UAE would qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup a year later.

Group stage

edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   South Korea 4 4 0 0 9 2 +7 8 Advance to knockout stage
2   Iran 4 2 1 1 3 3 0 5
3   Qatar (H) 4 2 0 2 7 6 +1 4
4   United Arab Emirates 4 1 0 3 2 4 −2 2
5   Japan 4 0 1 3 0 6 −6 1
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
United Arab Emirates  0–1  South Korea
Report Lee Tae-ho   8' (pen.)

Qatar  2–1  United Arab Emirates
Muftah   17'
Musabah   26' (o.g.)
Report H. Mohamed   35'

Iran  1–0  United Arab Emirates
Pious   27' Report
Attendance: 4,000

United Arab Emirates  1–0  Japan
A.A. Mohamed   86' Report

1992 AFC Asian Cup

edit

In the 1992 AFC Asian Cup, the United Arab Emirates would qualify for the semi-finals for the first time after winning against North Korea and drawing against Japan and Iran. They would find themselves losing to neighbouring rivals Saudi Arabia and finish fourth after losing a penalty shoot out against China.

Group stage

edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Japan (H) 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 4 Advance to knockout stage
2   United Arab Emirates 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 4
3   Iran 3 1 1 1 2 1 +1 3
4   North Korea 3 0 1 2 2 5 −3 1
Source: WorldFootball.net
(H) Hosts
Japan  0–0  United Arab Emirates
Report
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Wei Jihong (China)

Iran  0–0  United Arab Emirates
Report
Attendance: 25,000

United Arab Emirates  2–1  North Korea
K. Mubarak   81'
Bakhit   85'
Report Kim Kwang-min   69'
Attendance: 33,000
Referee: Neji Jouini (Tunisia)

Semi-final

edit
Saudi Arabia  2–0  United Arab Emirates
Al-Owairan   77'
Al-Bishi   80'
Report

Third place play-off

edit
China  1–1  United Arab Emirates
Hao Haidong   15' Report Ismail   10'
Penalties
Fan Zhiyi  
Cai Sheng  
Wu Qunli  
Peng Weiguo  
Fu Yubin  
4–3   Al-Talyani
 
 
 
  Ismaïl
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Neji Jouini (Tunisia)

1996 AFC Asian Cup

edit

The 1996 Asian Cup would mark as the first time the UAE won the hosting rights and qualified automatically. The UAE would play its opening game to South Korea where they drew 1–1. They would later beat Kuwait and Indonesia and finish at the top of their group with seven points. They would face Iraq in the quarter-finals which ended with the Emirates winning 1–0 during golden goal time which meant the UAE would qualify for the semi-finals for the second consecutive time. They would once again beat Kuwait and qualify for their first final against the Saudis. Unfortunately for the UAE, they would once again find themselves losing to Saudi Arabia after a penalty shootout that resulted in 2–4.

Group stage

edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   United Arab Emirates (H) 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 7 Advance to knockout stage
2   Kuwait 3 1 1 1 6 5 +1 4
3   South Korea 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
4   Indonesia 3 0 1 2 4 8 −4 1
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts



United Arab Emirates  1–1  South Korea
K. Saad   40' Report Hwang Sun-Hong   9'

United Arab Emirates  3–2  Kuwait
Saeed   53'
Al-Talyani   55'
B. Saad   80'
Report Al-Huwaidi   9', 44'

United Arab Emirates  2–0  Indonesia
Saeed   15'
Al-Talyani   64'
Report
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Lu Jun (China)

Quarter-final

edit
United Arab Emirates  1–0 (a.e.t.)  Iraq
Ab. Ibrahim   103' Report

Semi-final

edit
United Arab Emirates  1–0  Kuwait
Saeed   69' Report

Final

edit
United Arab Emirates  0–0 (a.e.t.)  Saudi Arabia
Report
Penalties
M. Ali  
Saleh  
K. Saad  
Saeed  
2–4   Al-Thunayan
  Zubromawi
  Al-Harbi
  Al-Temawi
  Al-Muwallid
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Mohd Nazri Abdullah (Malaysia)

2004 AFC Asian Cup

edit

Even though they were successful in their last run, the UAE would fail to qualify for the 2000 Asian Cup which meant they needed to compensate in this edition. However they would lose two games and draw once, finishing at the bottom of the group with 1 point for the first time since 1980.

Group stage

edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   South Korea 3 2 1 0 6 0 +6 7 Advance to knockout stage
2   Jordan 3 1 2 0 2 0 +2 5
3   Kuwait 3 1 0 2 3 7 −4 3
4   United Arab Emirates 3 0 1 2 1 5 −4 1
Source: RSSSF
Kuwait  3–1  United Arab Emirates
B. Abdullah   24'
Al-Mutawa   39' (pen.)
Saeed   45' (og)
Report Rashid   47'

United Arab Emirates  0–2  South Korea
Report Lee Dong-gook   41'
Ahn Jung-hwan   90+1'

Jordan  0–0  United Arab Emirates
Report
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Talaat Najm (Lebanon)

2007 AFC Asian Cup

edit

Entering this tournament would mark as their seventh appearance and the Emiratis were a contender to make it past the group stage. However the first game resulted in a 0–2 upsetting defeat to Vietnam in which the game would be titled as the Disaster of Hanoi.[1] They would lose to Japan, thus confirming that the UAE would once again get another early group exit but they would leave with a victory against Qatar and finish third with three points.

Group stage

edit
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Japan 3 2 1 0 8 3 +5 7 Advance to knockout stage
2   Vietnam (H) 3 1 1 1 4 5 −1 4
3   United Arab Emirates 3 1 0 2 3 6 −3 3
4   Qatar 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Vietnam  2–0  United Arab Emirates
Huỳnh Quang Thanh   64'
Lê Công Vinh   73'
Report
Attendance: 39,450
Referee: Talaat Najm (Lebanon)

United Arab Emirates  1–3  Japan
Al-Kass   66' Report Takahara   22', 27'
S. Nakamura   42' (pen.)
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Satop Tongkhan (Thailand)

Qatar  1–2  United Arab Emirates
Soria   42' (pen.) Report Al-Kass   60'
Khalil   90+4'
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Masoud Moradi (Iran)

2011 AFC Asian Cup

edit

In 2011, the UAE would lose to Iraq and Iran but draw to North Korea, this resulted in their worst campaign as they finished at the bottom of the group with zero goals scored.

Group stage

edit
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Iran 3 3 0 0 6 1 +5 9 Advance to knockout stage
2   Iraq 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6
3   North Korea 3 0 1 2 0 2 −2 1
4   United Arab Emirates 3 0 1 2 0 4 −4 1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
North Korea  0–0  United Arab Emirates
Report

United Arab Emirates  0–1  Iraq
Report W. Abbas   90+3' (o.g.)

United Arab Emirates  0–3  Iran
Report Afshin   67'
M. Nouri   83'
W. Abbas   90+3' (o.g.)
Attendance: 5,012

2015 AFC Asian Cup

edit

After three consecutive group stage exits, the UAE would finally get past the group stage after smashing Qatar 4–1 and beating Bahrain 2–1, they would finish second after losing to Iran 0–1 which meant facing the defending champions Japan in the quarter-finals. However, in a surprising turn of events, the UAE would beat Japan in a penalty shootout that ended 5–4. This was seen as one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history as the Japanese have won the last three out of four Asian cups and are seen as a heavy favourites. Their campaign would end in the semi-finals after a 0–2 loss to the hosts Australia but ultimately finished third place after winning against Iraq 3–2.

Group stage

edit
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Iran 3 3 0 0 4 0 +4 9 Advance to knockout stage
2   United Arab Emirates 3 2 0 1 6 3 +3 6
3   Bahrain 3 1 0 2 3 5 −2 3
4   Qatar 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5 0
Source: Asian Cup Australia 2015
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
United Arab Emirates  4–1  Qatar
Report

Bahrain  1–2  United Arab Emirates
Report
Attendance: 7,925

Iran  1–0  United Arab Emirates
Report
Attendance: 11,394
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)

Quarter-final

edit

Semi-final

edit
Australia  2–0  United Arab Emirates
Sainsbury   3'
Davidson   14'
Report

Third place play-off

edit
Iraq  2–3  United Arab Emirates
Salim   28'
Kalaf   42'
Report Khalil   16', 51'
Mabkhout   57' (pen.)
Attendance: 12,829

2019 AFC Asian Cup

edit

The UAE would win the hosting rights for the second time in 2019. They would finish first in their group with an unorthodox campaign, drawing to Bahrain and Thailand but winning against India, they only obtained 5 points which is less than any other group champion in that tournament. The UAE would struggle to beat Kyrgyzstan, only winning due to a penalty awarded during extra time. They would beat Australia 1–0 which meant that this was the second consecutive time the defending champion was knocked out by the UAE, coincidentally both were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately the UAE would lose the semi-finals for the second consecutive time in an embarrassing 0–4 loss to Qatar and things got dirty when fans started throwing water bottles and footwear to the Qatari players.[2]

Group stage

edit
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   United Arab Emirates (H) 3 1 2 0 4 2 +2 5 Advance to knockout stage
2   Thailand 3 1 1 1 3 5 −2 4[a]
3   Bahrain 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4[a]
4   India 3 1 0 2 4 4 0 3
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Thailand 3, Bahrain 0.
United Arab Emirates  1–1  Bahrain
Report

India  0–2  United Arab Emirates
Report

United Arab Emirates  1–1  Thailand
Report
Attendance: 17,809
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)

Round of 16

edit
United Arab Emirates  3–2 (a.e.t.)  Kyrgyzstan
Report

Quarter-final

edit
United Arab Emirates  1–0  Australia
Report
Attendance: 25,053
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)

Semi-final

edit
Qatar  4–0  United Arab Emirates
Report

2023 AFC Asian Cup

edit

The UAE opened their first game with a victory against Hong Kong albeit with two penalties rewarded on the way, their following match ended with a draw against Palestine with an own goal costing them the match. Their final group match against Iran ended with a loss but the UAE still finished second in the group. The UAE would play their first knockout game against debutant Tajikistan which ended as a draw and went on extra time. Neither found an opportunity to score during the extra time so the game resulted on penalties which saw the UAE lose 3–5. This was considered one of the weakest campaigns despite making it to the knockouts as the UAE reached the semi-finals two consecutive times in the last two editions.

Group stage

edit
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Iran 3 3 0 0 7 2 +5 9 Advance to knockout stage
2   United Arab Emirates 3 1 1 1 5 4 +1 4
3   Palestine 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
4   Hong Kong 3 0 0 3 1 7 −6 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
United Arab Emirates  3–1  Hong Kong
Report

Palestine  1–1  United Arab Emirates
Nasser   50' (o.g.) Report Adil   23'
Attendance: 41,986
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Iran  2–1  United Arab Emirates
Report

Knockout stage

edit

Round of 16

edit
Tajikistan  1–1 (a.e.t.)  United Arab Emirates
Report
Penalties
5–3
Attendance: 33,584
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)

Goalscorers

edit
Player Goals 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2004 2007 2015 2019 2023
Ali Mabkhout 9 5 4
Ahmed Khalil 6 4 2
Hassan Ahmed 3 3
Adnan Al-Talyani 3 1 2
Sultan Adil 2 2
Saeed Al Kass 2 2
Yahya Al-Ghassani 2 2
Ahmed Chombi 2 2
Khamees Mubarak 2 1 1
Farooq Abdulrahman 1 1
Ghanem Al Hajri 1 1
Khalifa Al Hammadi 1 1
Zuhair Bakhit 1 1
Khamis Esmaeel 1 1
Abdulrahman Ibrahim 1 1
Khaled Ismail 1 1
Faisal Khalil 1 1
Fahad Khamees 1 1
Abdulaziz Mohamed 1 1
Hassan Mohamed 1 1
Bakheet Mubarak 1 1
Khalfan Mubarak 1 1
Mohamed Rashid 1 1
Zayed Sultan 1 1 1
Total 46 3 3 2 3 8 1 3 9 8 6

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Vietnam shock Gulf champs UAE". Abc.net.au. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  2. ^ Aditya (29 January 2019). "Watch: Fans throw shoes at the Qatar players after Almoez Ali scores their second goal against the UAE in the AFC Asian Cup 2019". Fox Sports Asia. Retrieved 1 February 2019.