United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup

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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.

Contents

Overall record

AFC Asian Cup record Qualification record
YearResultPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
Flag of Hong Kong 1955.svg 1956 to Flag of Thailand.svg 1972 Part of the Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Part of the Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
State Flag of Iran (1964).svg 1976 Did not enterDid not enter
Flag of Kuwait.svg 1980 Group stage9th401339312020
Flag of Singapore.svg 1984 Group stage6th4202384301242
Flag of Qatar.svg 1988 Group stage8th4103245410121
Flag of Japan.svg 1992 Fourth place4th513134220063
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 1996 Runners-up 2nd642083Qualified as hosts
Flag of Lebanon.svg 2000 Did not qualify4301122
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2004 Group stage15th3012156411135
Flag of Indonesia.svg Flag of Malaysia.svg Flag of Thailand.svg Flag of Vietnam.svg 2007 Group stage12th3102366411116
Flag of Qatar.svg 2011 Group stage13th301204430171
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2015 Third place3rd63121086510183
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 2019 Semi-finals4th632188Qualified as hosts
Flag of Qatar.svg 2023 Round of 1612th4121658602237
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 2027 Qualified6510162
TotalRunners-up12/1348161319476454407714432

1980 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of South Korea (1949-1984).svg  South Korea 4310102+87Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait (H)421185+35
3Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 41215504
4Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 41123853
5Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 40133961
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–1Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Chombi Soccerball shade.svg35' Al-Houti Soccerball shade.svg19'
Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, Kuwait City
Attendance: 20,000

Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg2–1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Muftah Soccerball shade.svg50', 60' Al-Hajri Soccerball shade.svg58'


1984 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 4301102+86Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 422061+56
3Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 42023854
4Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore (H)41123413
5Flag of India.svg  India 40130771
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg3–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Alidousti Soccerball shade.svg27'
Shahrokh Bayani Soccerball shade.svg85' (pen.)
Mohammadkhani Soccerball shade.svg87'
National Stadium, Singapore
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Toshikazu Sano (Japan)

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg2–0Flag of India.svg  India
Al-Talyani Soccerball shade.svg81'
Khamees Soccerball shade.svg88'
National Stadium, Singapore
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Abu Wahid Shanbe (Oman)

Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg0–1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Abdulrahman Soccerball shade.svg62'
National Stadium, Singapore
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Jassim Mandi (Bahrain)

China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg5–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Yang Zhaohui Soccerball shade.svg12'
Jia Xiuquan Soccerball shade.svg20'
Zuo Shusheng Soccerball shade.svg36'
Zhao Dayu Soccerball shade.svg52'
Gu Guangming Soccerball shade.svg67'
National Stadium, Singapore
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Shizuo Takada (Japan)

1988 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  South Korea 440092+78Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 42113305
3Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar (H)420276+14
4Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 41032422
5Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Japan 40130661
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts

Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg2–1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Muftah Soccerball shade.svg17'
Musabah Soccerball shade.svg26' (o.g.)
Report H. Mohamed Soccerball shade.svg35'

Iran  Flag of Iran.svg1–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Pious Soccerball shade.svg27' Report
Qatar SC Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Steven Ovinis (Malaysia)

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–0Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
A.A. Mohamed Soccerball shade.svg86' Report

1992 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg  Japan (H)312021+14Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 312021+14
3Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 311121+13
4Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 30122531
Source: WorldFootball.net
(H) Hosts
Japan  Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg0–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Bingo Sports Park, Onomichi
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Wei Jihong (China)

Iran  Flag of Iran.svg0–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Hiroshima Big Arch, Hiroshima
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Jamal Al Sharif (Syria)

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg2–1Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
K. Mubarak Soccerball shade.svg81'
Bakhit Soccerball shade.svg85'
Report Kim Kwang-min Soccerball shade.svg69'
Hiroshima Big Arch, Hiroshima
Attendance: 33,000
Referee: Neji Jouini (Tunisia)

Semi-final

Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg2–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Al-Owairan Soccerball shade.svg77'
Al-Bishi Soccerball shade.svg80'
Report
Hiroshima Stadium, Hiroshima
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Rasheed Al-Jassas (Kuwait)

Third place play-off

1996 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates (H)321063+37Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 311165+14
3Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg  South Korea 31115504
4Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 30124841
Source: RSSSF
(H) Hosts


United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
K. Saad Soccerball shade.svg40' Report Hwang Sun-Hong Soccerball shade.svg9'

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg3–2Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Saeed Soccerball shade.svg53'
Al-Talyani Soccerball shade.svg55'
B. Saad Soccerball shade.svg80'
Report Al-Huwaidi Soccerball shade.svg9', 44'
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Charles Massembe (Uganda)

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg2–0Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Saeed Soccerball shade.svg15'
Al-Talyani Soccerball shade.svg64'
Report
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Lu Jun (China)

Quarter-final

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–0 (a.e.t.)Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg  Iraq
Ab. Ibrahim Soccerball shade gold.svg103' Report
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Gamal Al-Ghandour (Egypt)

Semi-final

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–0Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Saeed Soccerball shade.svg69' Report
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Masayoshi Okada (Japan)

Final

2004 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea 321060+67Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 312020+25
3Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 31023743
4Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 30121541
Source: RSSSF
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg3–1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
B. Abdullah Soccerball shade.svg24'
Al-Mutawa Soccerball shade.svg39' (pen.)
Saeed Soccerball shade.svg45' (o.g.)
Report Rashid Soccerball shade.svg47'


Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg0–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Workers Stadium, Beijing
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Talaat Najm (Lebanon)

2007 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 321083+57Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam (H)31114514
3Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 31023633
4Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 30213412
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Hosts

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Al-Kass Soccerball shade.svg66' Report Takahara Soccerball shade.svg22', 27'
S. Nakamura Soccerball shade.svg42' (pen.)
Mỹ Đình Stadium, Hanoi
Attendance: 5,000
Referee: Satop Tongkhan (Thailand)

Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg1–2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Soria Soccerball shade.svg42' (pen.) Report Al-Kass Soccerball shade.svg60'
Khalil Soccerball shade.svg90+4'
Army Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Masoud Moradi (Iran)

2011 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 330061+59Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 320132+16
3Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 30120221
4Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 30120441
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg0–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg0–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report W. Abbas Soccerball shade.svg90+3' (o.g.)

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg0–3Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report Afshin Soccerball shade.svg67'
M. Nouri Soccerball shade.svg83'
W. Abbas Soccerball shade.svg90+3' (o.g.)
Qatar SC Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 5,012
Referee: Kim Dong-Jin (South Korea)

2015 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 330040+49Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 320163+36
3Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 31023523
4Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 30032750
Source: Asian Cup Australia 2015
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg4–1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report

Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg1–2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 7,925
Referee: Chris Beath (Australia)

Iran  Flag of Iran.svg1–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 11,394
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)

Quarter-final


Semi-final

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg2–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Sainsbury Soccerball shade.svg3'
Davidson Soccerball shade.svg14'
Report
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle
Attendance: 21,079
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

Third place play-off

Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg2–3Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Salim Soccerball shade.svg28'
Kalaf Soccerball shade.svg42'
Report Khalil Soccerball shade.svg16', 51'
Mabkhout Soccerball shade.svg57' (pen.)
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle
Attendance: 12,829
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)

2019 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates (H)312042+25Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 31113524 [a]
3Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 31112204 [a]
4Flag of India.svg  India 31024403
Source: AFC
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: Thailand 3, Bahrain 0.
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–1Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report

India  Flag of India.svg0–2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Report
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Attendance: 17,809
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)

Round of 16

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg3–2 (a.e.t.)Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 17,784
Referee: Fu Ming (China PR)

Quarter-final

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–0Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Attendance: 25,053
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)

Semi-final

Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg4–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report

2023 AFC Asian Cup

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

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 330072+59Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 311154+14
3Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 31115504
4Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 30031760
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg 3–1 Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report

Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg 1–1 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Nasser Soccerball shade.svg50' (o.g.) Report Adil Soccerball shade.svg23'
Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Attendance: 41,986
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Iran  Flag of Iran.svg 2–1 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report

Knockout stage

Round of 16

Goalscorers

PlayerGoals 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2004 2007 2015 2019 2023
Ali Mabkhout 954
Ahmed Khalil 642
Hassan Ahmed 33
Adnan Al-Talyani 312
Sultan Adil 22
Saeed Al Kass 22
Yahya Al-Ghassani 22
Ahmed Chombi 22
Khamees Mubarak 211
Farooq Abdulrahman 11
Ghanem Al Hajri 11
Khalifa Al Hammadi 11
Zuhair Bakhit 11
Khamis Esmaeel 11
Abdulrahman Ibrahim 11
Khaled Ismail 11
Faisal Khalil 11
Fahad Khamees 11
Abdulaziz Mohamed 11
Hassan Mohamed 11
Bakheet Mubarak 11
Khalfan Mubarak 11
Mohamed Rashid 11
Zayed Sultan 111
Total463323813986

See also

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References

  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.

Head-to-head record