Asian Cup 2015: Sam Pang’s tips to adopt a second team at the tournament

WITH the Asian Cup knockout phase starting on Thursday here’s a guide to help you pick a second team, should the Socceroos meet their fate.

Iran fans cheer before Group C football match against Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup in Sydney on January 15, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Peter PARKS --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

IT IS second nature in Australia, Sam Pang says, to adopt a second team.

And so what better time than today’s Asian Cup rest day to study the form guide to assess just who to plump for when the competition’s knockout rounds begin on Thursday night.

Pang, one of the hosts of Santo, Sam & Ed’s Asian Cup Fever on Fox Sports, has been scratching his head in recent days.

But he’s come up with a few guidelines to help fans who are in search of a second team - or a new first team if yours is one of the eight already knocked out - for the next 10 days.

And if you’re still in doubt? Then just get someone around the office to start a sweep.

GOAL CENTRE: Watch every Asian Cup goal & vote for your favourite.

Fans of Iran cheer their team before their match against Bahrain.

“Hopefully at workplaces around the country there’s some kind of pool,” Pang said.

“The tournament is set up for office games. I really think the Asian Football Confederation has taken that in to consideration.

“Wednesday’s rest day isn’t for the players, it’s for offices around the country to just get themselves in order before the quarterfinals.

“I think it’s a great idea.”

SO MYSTERIOUS THEY’RE ALLURING?

“Uzbekistan have been great. The mighty White Wolves,” Pang said.

“They’re mysterious, but that’s part of the joy.

“And that might be the great thing, just randomly pick a team that you’ve never seen play before and it’s just the very definition of fresh eyes, where you’re just discovering new things all the time.

Uzbekistan are mysterious if that’s your thing.

“There’s no back story, you know nothing about the players, and then all of a sudden you’ve got 90 minutes to discover whatever you want, be it players, skills, tactics. It’s a joy.

“By Round 13 of the A-League you’ve got a fair bit of the narrative worked out, so it’s nice to just have no idea about some of the teams playing.”

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT?

“In terms of loose links, if you’ve been to the country in any capacity, that’s an easy one,” he said.

“Even if you’ve just been through in transit, like if you’ve been to the United Arab Emirates, that’s good enough, barrack for them.

“If you’ve enjoyed a Bento Box recently, well then Japan could be for you.

“If you had a teacher at school who was really nice and they were South Korean, then keep an eye on them.

“Loose links, mate, loose links, no matter how tenuous they may be, could lead you to gold.”

Been to China? Support Team Dragon.

WHAT ABOUT A TEAM WITH A PLAYER YOU CAN IDENTIFY WITH?

“The guy who plays with the UAE with the hair.”

Omar Abdulrahman?

“Yeah, the UAE Sideshow Bob has it going on,” he said.

“He’s a good player as well though, he looks really dangerous.

“If the Socceroos come up against them my tactic would just be to make sure someone’s on him.

“He’s magnificent, a joy to watch.”

Omar Abdulrahman’s hair is reason enough to support United Arab Emirates.

OR HOW ABOUT AN UNDERDOG?

“Japan, I think they might do something,” Pang said.

THE TIP?

Even though the Socceroos now have to go the long way around to win the tournament after losing to South Korea last Saturday, Pang still holds out hope that captain Mile Jedinak will be the one holding the trophy at ANZ Stadium next Saturday night.

But he suspects there’s one other team out there that still can’t be beaten - no matter how long their odds might be.

There’s been plenty of support for DPR Korea.

“North Korea have taken my eye,” Pang said.

“I know they haven’t gone through to the next round, but they’re still my tip to win the tournament.

“I’ve learnt never to rule them out and I think if this article was appearing in North Korea then it would be a very different story.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Sam Pang’s tips to adopt a second team at the tournament