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The 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup is all set to blow the opening whistle in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, at the Zayed Sports City Stadium today ( January 5, 2019, Saturday) at 7:30pm. The UAE, as breathtakingly surprising as it has always been, is sure to surpass ones expectations with a once-in-a-lifetime experience of a marvellous opening ceremony with live shows for thousands of fans in the stadium and even more millions of viewers from around the world.

The opening ceremony in all its grandeur will sweep the audience off their feet with a series of live on-pitch music performances in tribute to the excellence of Asian football and the high spirits of the hosting country the United Arab Emirates. Three of the UAEs most beloved singing talents will perform live, adorning the celebrations with their magical voices in the competitions theme of Bringing Asia Together.

As estimated, an audience counting up to as much as 300 million will be fascinated as internationally renowned singing sensations from the UAE, Hussain Al Jassmi, Eida Al Menhali and Balqees Ahmed Fathi take to the show, amidst hundreds of vibrant performers as part of a wondrous experience to set the stage for the tournament's opener between the hosts UAE and Bahrain.

The opening ceremonys theme song titled Zanaha Zayed was written by Arif Al Khaja and composed by Khaled Nasser. The show directed by Roshan Soomarchun will be overseen by Mohammed Darwish Al Zarouni.

As per the reports from the Local Organising Committee, around 600 expert performers from the UAE and around the world will come together into the live celebration that will showcase the exuberant performances of drummers, Ayalla dancers and origami falcons what more grandeur to this grand ceremony?

Prior to the kick-off, the show will witness a period of over 13 fascinating minutes, that will tell the story of the tournaments slogan, Mansour, an Emirati boy inspired by the beauty of the flight of the Falcons. Overwhelmingly emoted by their heartwarmingly gracious movements, Mansour extends a warm Emirati welcome to Asia and the rest of the world.

The ceremony is said to be produced by those who have already put up successful shows before at the UEFA Champions League finals since 2014, the UEFA European Championships 2016 and several CAF African Cup of Nations.

The impending Asia Cup will see the high-spirited competition of 24 teams this year, unlike the 16 teams format followed until 2015. At the group stage, the teams will be drawn out into 6 groups with 4 teams in each. This will be followed by a knockout stage of 16 teams.

The football season with 51 matches will come to an end with the final match proposed to kick-off on February 1, 2019, at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

So have you booked your tickets yet?

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