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.
Valencia secured Champions League football for the second year in a row by winning 2-0 at Real Valladolid on Saturday, clinching fourth place in La Liga at the expense of Getafe who drew 2-2 at
Valencia clinch Champions League spot, Getafe in Europa
Emery still has made a big mistake from the start and she should be blame for his lineup though. You cannot start Mustafi, Mavropanos, Jenkinson, Elneny, Guendouzi, at the same time, and NOT expect repercussions. I understand the need for rotation, but that was too many changes, and such a lack of quality coming in.
Emery: We started very well but the red card changed
Over the last 23 years, Chelsea have consistently signed big-name players on their way to four Premier League titles. Sportsmail looks at the 10 best and 10 worst of a big-spending era in blue.
TEMPO.CO, Liverpool - Liverpool crushed Arsenal 5-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday but manager Juergen Klopp still would not get involved in any talk of winning the title. Second-placed Tottenham Hotspur's surprise defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Liverpool's Klopp avoids title talk despite Arsenal rout
Football: West Ham's Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs suffers first loss at new stadium Related Story Football: Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth
Tottenham suffer first loss at new stadium as Michail Antonio
fifa-livescores.com/news/107756/ALL/Tottenham-suffer-first-loss-at-new-stadium-as-Michail-Antonio-hits-winner-for-West-Ham
Tottenham suffer first loss at new stadium as Michail Antonio hits winner for West Ham, West Ham became the first opposition team to win at Tottenham's new stadium after a Michail Antonio goal gave them a 1-0 victory. , West Ham became the first opposition team to win at Tottenham's new stadium after a Michail Antonio goal gave them a 1-0 victory.
Tottenham 0-1 West Ham: Spurs lose for first time in their
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino says his players are "still in a dream" after reaching the Champions League semi-finals in dramatic fashion but expects his side to be ready for
Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino
Feb 27 (Reuters) -Sergio Aguero's penalty gave champions Manchester City a 1-0 win over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to stay a point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Man City 1-0 West Ham: Sergio Aguero penalty seals narrow win
Tampines Rovers FC started the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup with a double win playing Global in the quarterfinals. Global had an unbeaten score in the whole of 2016 season. The Stags will face their AFC Cup rivals Ceres from their group stage were they draw and lost a match and let them finish 1st in the AFC Cup 2016 group E. 2017 season
Football: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives stars 'licence to express', says Dwight Yorke The key to the Red Devils' surge in form has been the caretaker's perceptive man-management skills, said former
Ole gives stars 'licence to express', says Yorke, Football
Football: Jurgen Klopp fires up Liverpool with 'It's only pain' motto, Pep Guardiola urges City to 'be precise' 0:0 Comments Swimming: Toh Wei Soong finds inner strength to win first gold medal for Singapore at World Series 0:0 Comments Tennis: Halep beats Bencic to reach fourth Madrid Open final 0:0 Comments
Stefanos Tsitsipas stays perfect at ATP Next Gen Finals in
sportstoft.com/tennis/stefanos-tsitsipas-stays-perfect-at-atp-next-gen-finals-in-milan/
Stefanos Tsitsipas won the battle of the big guns as the Greek superstar proved too good for Frances Tiafoe to stay unbeaten at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan.
Champions League final: Jurgen Klopp reveals Pep Guardiola
Ole aiming for European glory LONDON • Manchester United can ride their resurgence to mount a realistic challenge for the Champions League, said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is edging closer to becoming the club's permanent manager.
Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opens up on why his job
0 comments:
Post a Comment