Asian Cup in the UAE: A look back on the last time the Emirates played host in 1996 - in pictures

Saudi Arabia lifted the trophy after beating the UAE on penalties in the final

Saudi Arabia forward Hussein Omar clears the ball away from UAE defender Hassan Ahmed during the final in Abu Dhabi. Saudi Arabia won the match on penalties, and were crowned champions of Asia. AFP

Emirati solders celebrating a UAE victory against Indonesia in Al Ain. UAE defeated Indonesia 2-0 and moved onto the quarter finals. AFP

Emirati women wearing traditional clothes walk in a carnival held in Abu Dhabi streets, celebrating the opening of the Asian Cup. AFP

Fireworks burst over the water on a beach in Abu Dhabi during opening ceremonies for the Asian Cup. AFP

UAE players celebrate their victory over Iraq in the quarter finals in Abu Dhabi. The UAE beat Iraq 1-0, with an extra time goal. AFP

UAE's Munther Abdulla dribbles past Iraqi defenders during the quarter final in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Iranian defender Mehrdad Minavan tries to stop Kuwaiti forward Bashar Abdul Aziz during the third place playoff match in Abu Dhabi. Iran beat Kuwait on penalties to secure third place. AFP

Iraqi forwards Haydar Majed and Khalid Sabbar celebrate after their victory against Thailand in an Asian Cup match in Dubai. AFP

Kuwaiti forward Bader Halabij runs after the ball with South Korean defender Lee Young Jin during an Asian cup match in Al Ain. AFP

Action from the Asian Cup Group B match between Thailand and Iraq in Dubai. Iraq defeated Thailand 4-1. AFP

Japanese supporters celebrate their victory against Uzbekistan in Al Ain. Japan won the match 4-0. AFP

Chinese striker Sun Jihai tries to get through the Syrian defence during a match in Al Ain. China beat Syria 3-0. AFP

Japanese players wave to their supporters after winning their match against Syria in Al Ain. AFP

Saudi Arabian players celebrate their victory after defeating Iraq in Dubai. AFP

The 2019 Asian Cup kicks off on Saturday with the UAE hosting the quadrennial tournament for only the second time.

The first time the country hosted the continental showpiece, back in 1996, there were only 11 teams with just two venues used, in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

This year's tournament will be the biggest in the competition's history, featuring 24 teams across four venues - Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah - with eight stadiums hosting the 51 matches from January 5-February 1.

As hosts, the UAE will kick off the 2019 edition against Bahrain at Zayed Sports City Stadium on Saturday, which was also the venue for the opening match in 1996 as the national team played out a 1-1 draw against South Korea. Al Shabab's Khamees Saad Mubarak was on the score sheet that day.

A 3-2 victory over Kuwait was followed up with a 2-0 win over Indonesia, with midfielder Adnan Khamis Al Talyani on target in both, as Tomislav Ivic's UAE side finished top of Group A to reach the quarter-finals, with Kuwait and Korea also advancing.

Iran, led by the prolific striker Ali Daei, who would go on to finish as overall top scorer with eight goals, topped Group B ahead of Saudi Arabia and Iraq; Japan and China advanced to the last eight from three-team Group C.

UAE needed extra time to seal a 1-0 victory over Iraq to book a semi-final date against Kuwait, who were dispatched by the same scoreline as Ivic's men reached a first Asian Cup final.

After edging a seven-goal thriller against China, Saudi Arabia faced Iran in the last four. With neither defence breached after 90 minutes and extra time, the game was decided by a penalty shoot-out, the Saudis prevailing 4-3 to set up a championship match against their Gulf neighbours.

The final, held at Zayed Sports City, was a cagey affair and neither team could be separated. Penalties were required once more.

With Yousef Saleh and Hassan Saeed Ahmed both failing from 12 yards, Khaled Al Muwallid converted the decisive spot kick as Saudi Arabia prevailed 4-2 and clinched their third, and still most recent, Asian Cup title.

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