Ali Khaled

Behaviour issues have clouded his fine form on the pitch and after several runner-up finishes this year, only a title will do at the 2015 Asian Cup, writes Ali Khaled.

The Gerrard question, as it had become, needed to be addressed at some point, and the man himself has saved his manager a major headache, writes Ali Khaled.

A late goal by Haboush Saleh on the Gold Coast gave the UAE a 1-0 win over Jordan. The squad has been training at their base outside of Brisbane in preparation for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.

Ali Khaled breaks down 2014 as Diego Godin makes a huge splash with Atletico Madrid, Thierry Henry calls time on his playing career and one slip costs Steven Gerrard and Liverpool.

Al Ain’s early distraction in the Asian Champions League has helped Al Jazira and Al Shabab make a race of it, writes Ali Khaled

Luminaries from Spain and Italy expected to light up stage at global conference

Less-welcome news was the omission from the side of captain Ismail Matar, who will be out with injury for at least another three weeks, reports Ali Khaled.

Mahdi Ali sprang a surprise on Wednesday when he recalled the controversial Al Ahli goalkeeper Majed Naser to the 24-man provisional squad for the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia next month, writes Ali Khaled.

Ahead of the January 9 start to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia, Ali Khaled provides a guide to the tournament with Asia's most coveted trophy on offer.

The 2014 Gulf Cup began under a cloud and the future of the competition was being questioned. Wednesday’s wonderful final between hosts Saudi Arabia and Qatar will not whitewash all of these issues, but it provided a timely reminder that the competition that has run since 1970 is all about the football.

Home team unable to pierce Qatari defence in dying minutes of summit clash to lose in regional competition's final. Ali Khaled reports.

With the Gulf Cup of Nations coming to an end at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday night, Ali Khaled looks at the tops and the flops of the competition’s 22nd edition.

Securing the consolation prize in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is incentive enough for Mahdi Ali to start preparing for the Asian Cup in January.

Mahdi Ali concedes his side played in Saudi Arabia with a few injuries, but coach happy with overall performance. Ali Khaled reports.

Confidence from having beaten defending champions UAE as well as home support will give Saudi Arabia edge over Qatar, writes Ali Khaled.