Striker Karim Ansarifard helped Iran reach the semi-finals of the Asia Cup, after a convincing 3-0 win over China in Abu Dhabi. The striker netted the third goal in stoppage time to set up a semi-final clash with Japan, after his nation put on a clinical display to surge past Marcello Lippi’s Chinese side in what was his final game in charge. Hoping to end their 43-year run without success in the competition, Iran’s head coach Carlos Queiroz admitted he thought his side were not favourites for the competition, despite their fine form ahead of their showdown next week. “Now we know the big sharks will come for us,” said the ex-Manchester United assistant boss. “The suit of favourites doesn’t fit us. Japan, Korea are coming, so we need to be more alert – what we did against China will not be enough.” Instagram Four-time champions Japan eased past Vietnam with a 1-0 victory, while South Korea face Qatar and United Arab Emirates take on … [Read more...] about Watch Karim Ansarifard’s score to send Iran into Asia Cup semi-finals
Asia
We belong in Asia, insist Aussies before UAE quarter-final
Australia coach Graham Arnold said the defending champions "belong in Asia" as Arab support looked set to swing behind hosts UAE for their crunch Asian Cup quarter-final. Pockets of dissent still remain over Australia's 2006 shift from Oceania to the Asian confederation, and could give Friday's clash an underlying edge. But on Thursday Arnold, when asked about a social media campaign for Arab fans to support UAE for the game, said his team felt entirely at ease in the Asian competition. "I don't know who doesn't feel comfortable in this confederation because we do," Arnold said, when asked whether he thought Arab fans wanted the Socceroos to lose. "We feel part of Asia. We feel great. When I was in Sydney (Sydney FC) and with the (Central Coast) Mariners we played the Asian Champions League which gives a great feeling for the players to play at that extra level. "We feel that we belong in Asia. I don't do social media so I don't know what they're saying but at the end of the day... … [Read more...] about We belong in Asia, insist Aussies before UAE quarter-final
European investors launch Central Asia’s largest solar plant in Kazakhstan
SARAN, Kazakhstan – The small mining town of Sana is in the very centre of Kazakhstan, 203 kilometres from Astana, with a population of just over 50,000 people entered the history of the country this week. On January 23, the largest solar power station not only in the former Soviet republic, but also throughout the whole of Central Asia, with a capacity of 100 megawatts was launched here. An international team of investors and specialists from Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovenia implemented the project. They did not accidentally choose this city as a place to install a solar power station. Saran is located in the very center of the vast Kazakh steppe. In the winter there are a lot of sunny days here where 307,000 “green” panels installed on an area of 164 hectares will now convert solar energy into electrical energy, which will be supplied to consumers throughout the country. The power of the new solar power station will be enough to provide electricity … [Read more...] about European investors launch Central Asia’s largest solar plant in Kazakhstan
Bristol City transfer target set for shock move to Asia
Jordan Mutch appears set for a shock move for Asia. The midfielder was recently linked to Bristol City after being released by Crystal Palace at the start of January, although there was also reported interest from Aston Villa and Norwich City. Birmingham Live report the former Birmingham City man was set to spend the week at Villa as part of a trial, but he instead looks likely to complete a shock move to South Korea. Media outlet Sports Chosun state the 27-year-old is poised to join Gyeongnam on a free transfer. They finished second in the top tier last season, earning them a qualification place for the AFC Champions League group stage for the first time. The club have reportedly been keen on a marquee foreign signing and appear to have lined up the rumoured Robins target, who cost Palace £5m from QPR in 2015. Mutch made 40 appearances for Palace, also having loan spells at Reading and Vancouver Whitecaps. Whether City were really interested in him, however, remains to … [Read more...] about Bristol City transfer target set for shock move to Asia
Western sanctions not key factor in why Russia looks East to Asia
Experts weighed in on Russia's strategic and business opportunities at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The official residence, Russia House, welcomed more than 300 guests. The panel dubbed “The Russia Economic Outlook” was hosted by Russia House, which is organized by the Roscongress Foundation. Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman of global information provider IHS Markit, Vice Chairman of SUN Group Shiv Vikram Khemka, Chief Executive Officer of Russian chemical holding company PhosAgro Andrey Guryev and deputy editor of Chinese media company Caixin, Huang Shan, joined the discussion at the residence moderated by CNBC anchor Geof Cutmore. Also on rt.com Russia House in Davos opens doors to guests & international business The analysts agreed that Russia’s economy is turning East because of the opportunities it sees in Asia. Sanctions and Western pressure are also playing their part, but are not key factors, according to results of the panel published on the … [Read more...] about Western sanctions not key factor in why Russia looks East to Asia