• Oman football supporters wait for the start of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group F football match between Uzbekistan and Oman at Sharjah stadium in Sharjah. AFP
    Oman football supporters wait for the start of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group F football match between Uzbekistan and Oman at Sharjah stadium in Sharjah. AFP
  • Lebanese supporters cheer ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group E football match between Qatar and Lebanon at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
    Lebanese supporters cheer ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group E football match between Qatar and Lebanon at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
  • Bahrain fans at the game between Bahrain and Thailand in the Asian Cup 2019 on Thursday, January 10th, 2019 at Al Maktoum Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Bahrain fans at the game between Bahrain and Thailand in the Asian Cup 2019 on Thursday, January 10th, 2019 at Al Maktoum Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • An Emirati supporter waves a scarf during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group A football match between India and UAE at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
    An Emirati supporter waves a scarf during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group A football match between India and UAE at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
  • An Emirati supporter cheers during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group A football match between India and UAE at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
    An Emirati supporter cheers during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group A football match between India and UAE at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
  • China supporters cheer ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C football match between Philippines and China at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
    China supporters cheer ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C football match between Philippines and China at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
  • A China supporter cheers ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C football match between Philippines and China at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
    A China supporter cheers ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C football match between Philippines and China at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AFP
  • Fans at Kyrgyzstan v South Korea at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. Reuters
    Fans at Kyrgyzstan v South Korea at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. Reuters
  • Fans of China celebrate after winning the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C preliminary round match between Philippines and China in Abu Dhabi. EPA
    Fans of China celebrate after winning the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C preliminary round match between Philippines and China in Abu Dhabi. EPA
  • Fans of the Philippines before the start of AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 football match between South Korea and the Philippines at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fans of the Philippines before the start of AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 football match between South Korea and the Philippines at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Syrian fans Shadi Rihan, his wife Samah and their children Zaid (left) and Ryan (right) have their team colours ready before the start of AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 football match between Syria and Palestine at Sharjah Football Stadium in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
    Syrian fans Shadi Rihan, his wife Samah and their children Zaid (left) and Ryan (right) have their team colours ready before the start of AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 football match between Syria and Palestine at Sharjah Football Stadium in Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Vietnam fans make it a musical event prior to their team's match against Iraq at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
    Vietnam fans make it a musical event prior to their team's match against Iraq at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A South Korea fan is all smiles as her team edges the Philippines 1-0 at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 match at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A South Korea fan is all smiles as her team edges the Philippines 1-0 at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 match at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Hometown fans of the UAE have their flag scarves ready on the match against Bahrain at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. The game ended 0-0 draw. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Hometown fans of the UAE have their flag scarves ready on the match against Bahrain at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. The game ended 0-0 draw. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Saudi Arabia fans cheer for their team in a game against North Korea at Rashid Stadium. Their enthusiasm worked: Saudi Arabia won 4-0. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Saudi Arabia fans cheer for their team in a game against North Korea at Rashid Stadium. Their enthusiasm worked: Saudi Arabia won 4-0. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • North Korea lost to Saudi Arabia at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai but that didn't stop fans from showing team pride with flags of all sizes. Antonie Robertson / The National
    North Korea lost to Saudi Arabia at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai but that didn't stop fans from showing team pride with flags of all sizes. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Iraq fans are geared up for their team's match against Vietnam at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi as part of the Asian Cup UAE 2019. Pawan Singh / The National
    Iraq fans are geared up for their team's match against Vietnam at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi as part of the Asian Cup UAE 2019. Pawan Singh / The National

Lifestyle

Fans show their colours at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 – in pictures

From far and wide – and from right here in the UAE – international fans show passion for their teams during the exciting group stage matches

Ellen Fortini

January 13, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The AFC Asian Cup 2019 is under way, and 24 teams from across the continent are playing games at stadiums from Al Ain to Sharjah.

Since day one, photographers Pawan Singh, Antonie Robertson and Chris Whiteoak of The National have been capturing the action on-field, but they have also ventured into the car parks and stands to meet the fans.

Many travelled from around the region, and even from thousands of kilometres overseas to support their teams, but there were plenty of UAE residents and citizens at the games too. Dressed up, faces painted and flags in hand, they cheered their teams on, eager to help them make it out of the group stage, which ends on Thursday.

On Sunday, Oman and Japan play at 5.30pm at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi; and at 8pm, catch Turkmenistan vs Uzbekistan at Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

On Monday, match day three of the group stage begins with the UAE playing Thailand at 8pm at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain; and at the same time, India play Bahrain at Al Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah.

On Tuesday, at 5.30pm, Palestine play Jordan at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi; while Australia play Syria at Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium in Al Ain.

Wednesday sees four games, starting at 5.30pm with South Korea and China playing at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Kyrgyzstan playing Philippines at Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. At 8pm on Wednesday, Vietnam play Yemen at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain; and Iran and Iraq play at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

On Thursday, the final games of the group stage take place, starting with two games at 5.30pm, Oman and Turkmenistan play at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi; and Japan and Uzbekistan play at Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium in Al Ain. Then at 8pm, Lebanon play North Korea at Al Sharjah Stadium in Sharjah and Saudi Arabia play Qatar at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

Check the Sport section of The National for scores, and book tickets at www.ticketmaster.ae.

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Lifestyle