ABU DHABI (AFP) - The football may not be of the quality expected at the Euros, but there is always something compelling about watching national teams duke it out for their continental crown. Here is a look at the five leading contenders for football's Asian Cup, which starts in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday (Jan 5):
Australia
The Socceroos won the biggest title in their history at the last Asian Cup in 2015, where they edged South Korea after extra time to win a thrilling final in Sydney. It provided further vindication for their switch from Oceania to the Asian confederation in 2006, since when they have never failed to qualify for the World Cup.
However, Australia's star has dimmed in recent times, and after reaching Russia 2018 via the play-offs they exited without a win, scoring only twice in their three group games. New coach Graham Arnold must fill the void left by retired record scorer Tim Cahill, and get the goals flowing again, if the Socceroos are to keep the trophy in Australian hands.
Iran
Asia's top-ranked team won credit at last year's World Cup, where they were edged 1-0 by Spain and finished 1-1 against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, before exiting at the group stage. However, they will want to go home with more than just praise at the Asian Cup, a tournament where success has eluded them since their run of three straight titles ended in 1976.
Ex-Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz, also a former assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, has forged a formidable unit which was unbeaten in World Cup qualifying, strolling into the Asian Cup along the way.
Last time around, Iran went out on penalties to arch-rivals Iraq in a pulsating quarter-final which featured four goals in extra-time and a contentious second yellow card for simulation to Iranian defender Mehrdad Pooladi. Similar fireworks can be expected when the two teams meet for their final Group D game on Jan 16.
Japan
Japan go into the Asian Cup chasing a record-extending fifth title and in a rich vein of form. The Samurai Blue are unbeaten in five games since Hajime Moriyasu replaced Akira Nishino as coach after their surprise run to the knockout stages of last year's World Cup.
But Japan embark on their Middle Eastern adventure without two players who epitomise their waspish energy - Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki. Both were omitted by Moriyasu, who looks to Red Bull Salzburg's Takumi Minamino to provide the creative spark in Kagawa's absence.
Portimonense's Shoya Nakajima and Groningen's Ritsu Doan will add thrust as they try to avenge their 2015 Asian Cup flop when they crashed out in the quarter-finals. Southampton defender Maya Yoshida and Galatasaray full-back Yuto Nagatomo bring experience to Japan, who face Uzbekistan, Oman and Turkmenistan in Group F.
Ranked 50th in the world, behind Iran (29) and Australia (41), anything less than the semi-finals would be seen as failure for Japan.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabiaplayers listening to the head of the General Authority for Saudi Sport, Turki Al-Sheikh (centre) at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on June 13, 2018, ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup football tournament. PHOTO: AFP
The former giants of Asian football need to reverse a poor run of form as they look to return to the winners' circle for the first time since the 1990s. Victories in 1984, 1988 and 1996 made the Saudis the continent's premier side but despite reaching the 2000 and 2007 finals they have been unable to add to their tally.
There was not much to shout about at last year's World Cup, when Saudi Arabia lost 5-0 to Russia in their opening game and never recovered. In the UAE, a short hop over the Saudi border, Juan Antonio Pizzi - the fourth coach in the Saudi hot seat since the 2015 Asian Cup - can expect an easier ride than in Russia as they open against North Korea on Tuesday.
However, Saudi Arabia flopped at the last Asian Cup, going out at the group stage, and they are under pressure heading into this edition after winning only one of their six games since the World Cup.
South Korea
In Tottenham Hotspur's swift forward Son Heung-min, South Korea boast Asia's most exciting player and they will be regarded as narrow favourites to hoist the trophy on February 1. The Taeguk Warriors showed their quality when they stunned holders Germany at last year's World Cup and they came within a whisker of winning their third Asian title in 2015, going down to James Troisi's extra-time strike for hosts Australia in the final.
Son will miss South Korea's first two games, against the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan, owing to club commitments with Spurs. But with a wealth of talent including Newcastle's Ki Sung-yeung and goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, man of the match in the 2-0 win over Germany, South Korea should have at least one foot in the knock-out stages by then.
Football: Manchester City will not rest amid packed schedule Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his side any complacency at St James' Park would be punished by Rafa Benitez's
Manchester City v Chelsea: Aguero set to burnish reputation
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells Manchester United to go all out on the attack against PSG Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put the smile back on the face of Manchester United since he took over from Jose Mourinho.
United will attack Spurs, vows Lingard - sportsmax.tv
NICOSIA (Reuters) - Eden Hazard marked his 100th cap with an early goal to set Belgium on their way to a comfortable 2-0 away win over Cyprus in their Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday. Michy
Euro 2020 Qualifiers: Eden Hazard marks milestone with early
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has been charged by the FA after Monday's touchline brawl against Burnley. Sarri was sent off after a touchline row between both benches in the closing stages of Monday
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct by the FA
Premier League voices fears over proposed Champions League
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse If more proof were needed of how unpredictable the Premier League can be it was provided on Wednesday as Liverpool blew a chance take a vice-like grip on the title race and Chelsea suffered their worst league defeat in 23 years.
Football: Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse
Chhetri rues missed chances in game of 'small margins' before salvaging a 1-1 draw when Hong Kong missed an added-time penalty. but the Asian Football Confederation postponed the match for
Tag: Blog - Football Asia - Bloglikes
Tottenham Hotspur have admitted that they lost 1-0 to Manchester United on Sunday, because they failed to find a way past their goalkeeper, David De Gea. A tweet on Spurs' official handle after
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Refuses to Blame David De Gea for Granit
German champions Bayern Munich have not yet made an offer for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane despite their long-standing desire to sign him, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday.
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane
Raheem Sterling's hat-trick in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Watford lifted the champions four points clear at the top of the Premier League after Tottenham Hotspur's challenge faltered again with a 2-1 loss at Southampton on Saturday.
Man City surge clear through Sterling as Spurs suffer
Buffon calls on PSG to show 'spirit of sacrifice' PARIS • So much has changed since the Champions League last-16 draw was made in December. Paris Saint-Germain were flying, Manchester United were in free fall and British pundits feared for the worst.
Gianluigi Buffon Identifies Two Problems Psg Have Ahead of
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming video
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming direct
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch soccer online free streaming live bbc
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch indian premier league live streaming
how to watch champions league live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch the champions league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch soccer live stream links
soccer tv live net stream
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch soccer aid live stream online
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch premier league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming now tv
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch live soccer stream android
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch soccer online free streaming live cricfree
watch champions league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch coppa america live streaming game
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch live soccer streaming free android
tv soccer live stream sky
watch soccer live streaming mobile
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch iceland soccer live stream
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch premier league live streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch champions league live streaming now
watch champions league live streaming crictime
watch coppa america live streaming zip
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch premier league live streaming free
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch premier league matches live streaming
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer games live stream free
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch soccer game live espn
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
#oasisofficial #ignoranza #leomessi #cr7 #ucl #GarageCafeDxb #midnight #firmino #freekicks #rockstar #24x7 #JUVENTUS #golf #risate #champion #londoncity #comics #visubal #lionelmessi #livestreams #sumbertv #Barca #ronaldo #BMW #freekickerz #ballondor #elcasico #copaamerica #realmadrid #juventus #pagani #coffeebreak #footballmeme #bundesliga #footballdubai #Liverpool #Bar #oasisengland #noelgallagher #premierleague #golazo #trollfootball #meunier #calciatoribrutti #paulmcartney #nikesoccer #barcelona #knuckleball #england #chocolate #football #realmadridcf #oasis #cristiano #henderson #klopp #boxing #livesports #zidane #kickoff #gooners #championship #sixtimes #neymar #footballfans #jadwalbolahariini #lovefootball #arsenal #commento #beatifulgame #leicestercity #433skills #frasitrap #mane #soccerbible #seriea #vandijk #salah #soccermemes #MSport #valcea #footballmemes #vip #thebeatles #myfootballuniverse #nationsleague #romania #bayernmunich
Exactly, you're very kind of us about comment!.
ReplyDeleteสมัครv9bet