al-Mohannadi, was also barred by the Emirati authorities. Although the Emirati government later announced that it would permit Qatari citizens temporary entry into the country pending approval from Emirati authorities, Qataris were still banned from entering the country throughout the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Pre-match Qatar Qatar, with majority of the squad was formed from the basis of the team that won the 2014 AFC U-19 Asian Cup, was drawn into group E, together with neighbor and rival Saudi Arabia, and two minnows Lebanon and North Korea. Qatar easily topped their group with a comfortable style, winning all three matches, respectively, 2–0 Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, as well as its biggest ever win in their Asian Cup history, a 6–0 win over North Korea, despite being completely cut off from fans. Qatar then met Iraq in the round of sixteen as Iraqi supporters dominated the stadium, where Iraqi-born Bassam Al-Rawi turned hero as Qatar won its first ever knockout stage game, 1–0. Qatar then faced the Asian powerhouse South Korea, which had previously eliminated Germany from the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the appearance of star striker Son Heung-min, and created the biggest shock in the tournament, beating the mighty South Koreans 1–0 to reach the semi-finals, without conceding a single goal. United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates, as hosts, automatically drawn into the group A, along with Bahrain, India and Thailand. Prior to the tournament, the United Arab Emirates suffered a bad new when playmaker and star Omar Abdulrahman could not take part due to an injury. The United Arab Emirates topped the group, but with an unpromising performance, winning only against India and drew to Bahrain and Thailand. In the round of sixteen, the United Arab Emirates struggled for over 120' to overcome a brave Kyrgyzstan 3–2 with Ahmed Khalil converted a successful penalty. Then, the United Arab Emirates managed its biggest achievement in the tournament, beating then-Asian champions Australia 1–0 thanked for a mistake by Miloš Degenek, to set-up its semi-final encounter against Qatar. As Japan had crushed Iran 3–0 in the earlier semi-finals, the winner of the last semi-final game would face Japan for the trophy. The United Arab Emirates also held an edge by historical performance, being undefeated to Qatar since 2002. Match ticket controversy Prior to the semi-finals, Prince Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan decided to buy all the remaining tickets of the