Asian Cup 2015 group-by-group preview ahead of Socceroos v Kuwait on Friday 9 January
VIDEO: We know all about the Socceroos, but what about the other nations aiming for Asian Cup glory? Get ahead with our group-by-group preview.
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WE’RE just two sleeps away from the showpiece of Asian football kicking off on our shores.
It’s an enormous stage for Australian football, but while there’s been plenty of hype about Ange Postecoglou’s side, what about the rest of the field?
There are a number of compelling storylines and fascinating sides visiting our shores.
Here’s a group-by-group cheat sheet ahead of the tournament.
For a comprehensive preview of the tournament, the Fox Football Podcast is a must listen. Adam Peacock is joined by regulars Simon Hill and Michael Cockerill, while Richard Bayliss phones in from the Socceroos’ camp and 2011 Asian Cup star Sasa Ognenovski offers his insights. We’re also joined by AFC expert Michael Church for some fascinating insight.
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GROUP A
THE NARRATIVE
It’s judgement day, so where’s project Postecoglou at? After experimenting since the World Cup, he’s settled on an enticing 23-man squad and on home soil, looks set to move to a 4-3-3. The tone for the tournament could be set on Friday night against Kuwait: so much of the hype and interest will revolve around the hosts’ success and everyone in green and gold will be hoping for a confident performance.
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THE SYNOPSIS
Kuwait: “They’re a mess, a disarray, they didn’t perform well at the Gulf Cup,” Church says on the podcast. “Ange is looking to rack up as many goals as possible and that’s the right approach.”
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Oman: “They actually have stability,” Church says. “(Paul Le Guen) has a core group of players that he’s been continually by slowly re-generating. They’ve got stability, some talent … they’re a decent side.”
South Korea: “They need the disciplinarian,” Ognenovski says. “One thing the Korean coaches probably lack is tactical awareness … but he’s got a wealth of experience and with the squad they’ve assembled they’ll be hard to beat in the tournament.”
THE UNKNOWN
Group A is no foregone conclusion. Kuwait are the weakest, but South Korea and Oman will both fancy their chances of progressing to the next stage. Oman have troubled Australia in recent outings, as recently as World Cup qualifying and South Korea will have high expectations. German coach Uli Stielike replaced Hong Myung-bo after a difficult World Cup and has tried to add a greater resolve to the outfit.
CRUNCH GAME
For Australia, it’s opening night. It’s the easiest of the three games and a loss would be calamitous in a tricky group. Saturday night’s clash between South Korea and Oman could well determine who else progresses.
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Australia to progress with South Korea.
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GROUP B
THE NARRATIVE
Public enemy No.1 Nasser Al Shamrani will garner plenty of attention, but beyond the soap opera, this is a fascinating, eclectic group where the two teams to progress are well up for grabs. What’s the state of mind of the Saudi Arabian side – their manager, Cosmin Olaroiu was appointed just three weeks ago! Can China finally step up? Will Uzbekistan match 2011’s fourth-placed finish? And what to make of North Korea – adding a layer of intrigue and mystery to the tournament. Should Australia qualify, the Socceroos will play a team from this group in the quarters.
THE SYNPOSIS
Uzbekistan: There mightn’t be many bums on seats at Stadium Australia when Uzbekistan take on North Korea to open their campaign, but the fourth-highest ranked side in Asia are worth their seeding and led by Server Djeparov, will aim to match or better 2011’s effort.
China: “They have finally sorted out some of their problems, but I don’t know if they can be successful,” Church says.
Saudi Arabia: “Olaroiu knows the region well, was Al Hilal coach for several seasons, knows all the players, but as he said himself – the big problem he’s got is fatigue,” Church said. “Clubs have been playing every three days… but you can never write the Saudis off … they ran out of gas against the Koreans (in a friendly the other night) and that’s going to be their problem.”
North Korea: Unbeaten in their East Asian Cup qualifiers in November but rank outsiders. Still, should attract plenty of interest, out of curiosity.
THE UNKNOWN
This group is full of unknowns. Which Saudi team will show up? Has Alain Perrin’s work with China been enough to see them make their biggest impression in a tournament in a decade? And imagine this … if North Korea causes an upset and sneaks through, a match with South Korea could beckon!
CRUNCH GAME
Opening night’s Saudi Arabia and China is like a six-pointer – the team that wins that will go a long way to qualifying. Should be an interesting diplomatic outing to watch China v North Korea!
LIKELY OUTCOME
Really open, but Uzbekistan and China have strong shouts.
GROUP C
THE NARRATIVE
Could the tale of the tape set-up the first match between Iran and Australia since the ill-fated 1997 qualifier, in a semi-final, no less? Another fascinating group, boasting Gulf Cup winner Qatar, while United Arab Emirates, who drew 0-0 with Australia in October, are the team plenty believe are the tournament dark horses.
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THE SYNOPSIS
Iran: “I’m not sure, playing with a bank of four and a bank of five, with a striker right on top of that, is not going to work,” Church says. “Can he play the team to play more expansive football … does he want to?”
Qatar: “Their football is up and down,” Ognenovski says. “When they’re all on song…they play some really good football. When they don’t, they can be horrible. We saw against Australia last year, they can beat good opposition.”
UAE: “13 players from (the) Olympic team are in this squad … Omar Abdulrahman – what a player, maybe the best in Asia,” Mike Cockerill says. “I talk about this as the Group of Death because … UAE and Qatar are every bit as good as Iran and Bahrain and can go on and win it.”
Bahrain: have entered the tournament with back-to-back wins over Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
THE UNKNOWN
Iran were arguably Asia’s best at the World Cup playing as severe underdogs, pushing Argentina to needing a Lionel Messi late, late show. But will they be able to convert that form as one of the heavyweights in Australia under the guidance of Carlos Queiroz? They have some of the tournament’s finest players, like Javad Nekounam, Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejhad.
CRUNCH GAME
Politically, there’s no love lost between Iran and Bahrain, but in football terms, the opening clash between UAE and Qatar should be a cracker, while the group could come down to Iran v UAE on January 19.
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Iran deserve to be favourites to top the group, and UAE could edge the others for second.
GROUP D
THE NARRATIVE
The Blue Samurai are the tournament heavyweights and have benefited from the easiest group of the four. Javier Aguirre will likely rest on his tried and tested heavyweights to get the job done, although there has also been quite a turnover of personnel since the World Cup.
THE SYNOPSIS
Japan: Littered with some of the competition’s top quality, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa, AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda, Southampton’s Maya Yoshida and the experienced Yasuhito Endo.
Iraq: “They proved (against the Socceroos in the World Cup qualifier in Sydney) they had the temperament and the Socceroos were pretty fortunate that night,” Church says. “They’ve got the talent. The issue again is stability in the coaching set-up and the right mentality.”
Jordan: “I wouldn’t rule out Jordan,” Simon Hill says. “They’ve got some handy players, but they don’t have much depth. Just don’t think Iraq are a shoo-in for second.”
Palestine: The genuine minnows of the tournament.
THE UNKNOWN
Iraq, under new coach Radhi Shenaishil. Their 2007 miracle will live long in the memory and this is a generation dripping with talent. But do they have the structures in place to ruffle feathers again.
CRUNCH GAME
Jordan v Iraq on 12 January – their opening game, and a six-pointer for second spot.
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Japan, Iraq
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015 group-by-group preview ahead of Socceroos v Kuwait on Friday 9 January
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