Asian Cup kicks off for Newcastle United players today – Full Schedule
The Asian Cup kicked off on Saturday, with hosts the United Arab Emirates drawing 1-1 against Bahrain.
Group C kicks off later today (Monday) with Newcastle United involvement in the competition for the first time.
Ki Sung-yeung is expected to start for South Korea as they take on the Philippines in their opening group game.
On Wednesday it is the turn of Group F, with Yoshinori Muto potentially playing for Japan as they take on Turkmenistan.
The group games end on Wednesday 16 January for Ki Sung-yeung and the Thursday 17 January for Yoshinori Muto – but both players/countries are expected to easily qualify from the group stage.
Last 16 knockout matches will be played between 20 January and 22 January, though a major surprise is both countries don’t reach the last eight as a bare minimum, with quarter-final games to be played Thursday 24 January and Friday 25 January.
That would mean even if knocked out at that stage, the first Newcastle match either would be available for would be Spurs away on Saturday 2 February (Newcastle match schedule below).
Newcastle face Man City at home on Tuesday 29 January but with travel and recovery time, it would be a big surprise if Rafa Benitez risked either player.
Not ideal for Newcastle United purposes but good luck to the two players in the Asian Cup, which is the equivalent of the European Championships.
Monday 7 January
South Korea v Philippines
Wednesday 9 January
Japan v Turkmenistan
Friday 11 January
South Korea v Kyrgyzstan
Sunday 13 January
Japan v Oman
Wednesday 16 January
South Korea v China
Thursday 17 January
Japan v Ukbekisatan
After the group stages the knockout games are played:
Last 16 matches are 20-22 January
Quarter finals are 24 and 25 January
Semi finals 28 and 29 January
Final is 1 February
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Saturday 12 January 2019 (BT Sport)
Chelsea v Newcastle (5.30pm)
Tuesday 15 January or Wednesday 16 January 2019
Saturday 19 January 2019
Newcastle v Cardiff (3pm)
Saturday 26 January 2019 (weekend of)
Potential FA Cup fourth round match
Tuesday 29 January 2019 (BT Sport)
Newcastle v Man City (8pm)
Saturday 2 February 2019 (Sky Sports)
Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm)
Monday 11 February 2019 (Sky Sports)
Wolves v Newcastle (8pm)
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