Asian Cup braces for battle of legendary managers
dubai — Some of the greatest minds in world football will be fixing their sights on Asia’s ultimate prize as the anticipation builds towards the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, which kicks off in just 12 days with hosts UAE taking on Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, a press release said.
The world’s second-oldest Continental football competition will welcome an all-star cast of head coaches who have enjoyed success on the world’s biggest stages with China’s Marcelo Lippi boasting the most impressive resume having guided Italy to the 2006 World Cup title in Germany.
Coming in a close second is none other than Philippines head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson who led England to two quarterfinals at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups while Iran’s head coach Carlos Queiroz has the honour of helping three teams qualify for the World Cup – first with his birthplace South Africa, then with his native Portugal and twice with Team Melli in 2014 and 2018.
“Eight years ago, when I came to the Islamic Republic of Iran, we faced challenges and issues. Now eight years later, we are heading to the UAE for the AFC Asian Cup and the most important legacy we leave is the infrastructure for our future generations,” said the former Real Madrid manager.
“The most important thing for the national team is to conquer the hearts of the people and satisfy the majority who quietly love the national team. I believe that all these players are doing their best and I hope we can have the best performance in the AFC Asian Cup,” added Queiroz.
Along with Queiroz, Eriksson and Lippi, Asia’s crown jewel will feature a total of seven head coaches who have managed teams at the World Cup, but only two have ever tasted success in the AFC Asian Cup.
Alberto Zaccheroni, who will lead the hosts, United Arab Emirates, in Group A, guided Japan to their record fourth Asian title in Qatar 2011, while current Blue Samurais’ head coach Hajime Moriyasu clinched Asia’s most coveted prize as a player when the East Asians won their maiden title in 1992. “I still have great memories of this wonderful tournament as a player in 1992 in Hiroshima. Although I could not play in the final as I was suspended, it would be great to experience winning the title again, this time as coach,” said Moriyasu.
“We will do our best to bring the Asian trophy back to Japan, something we could not achieve in the last tournament. We have played seven matches in our preparations
I still have great memories of this wonderful tournament as a player in 1992. Although I could not play in the final as I was suspended, it would be great to experience winning the title again, this time as coach
Hajime Moriyasu
and my aim is to develop the team with each game and to win the title at the same time.
“We have some new players after the FIFA World Cup in Russia, and I want these younger players to have the ambition to win the title and in the long-term forge a new Japan National Team with great confidence.”
It will be an exciting line-up of matches in the 28-day competition and the tacticians in the engine room will play an equally important role as the continent’s finest stars in what promises to be the greatest ever showpiece in Asian football history.