tournament preview
Plenty of variety in the new 24-team format
The 2019 Asian Cup kicks off on January 5 in Abu Dhabi without the continent’s two biggest stars. But while Son Heung-min will join South Korea for their third group game, the talented Omar Abdulrahman of hosts United Arab Emirates misses the whole tournament through injury.
But although their absence may take away a little of the glitz, there is still plenty of variety.
The expansion of the competition from 16 to 24 countries has eased the way in for debutants Yemen, Philippines and Kyrgyzstan. And with teams such as Syria, Palestine and India also in the mix, there are going to be plenty of narratives.
All have what it takes to reach the second round, given that just eight teams will fail to progress from the group stage, but the usual suspects are likely to be around as the February 1 Final draws closer.
Australia are champions, having beaten South Korea 2-1 in Sydney in 2015, but they must face up to life without Tim Cahill, while coach Graham Arnold is back for a second spell in charge after failing at the 2007 competition – the last time there was a surprise winner, with Iraq taking the title.
Japan – who were Asia’s best performers at the 2018 World Cup as they exited at the second round after a thrilling Belgium clash – have won four of the past seven editions of the Asian Cup. New coach Hajime Moriyasu is without the retired Keisuke Honda, who is now a Melbourne Victory player and part-time Cambodia coach, but there is plenty of other talent and experience. South Korea have been in good form under their new Portuguese boss Paulo Bento and the team, guilty in the past of not always giving Asia their full attention, have a genuine desire to take the trophy for the first time since 1960.
Iran, with Carlos Queiroz still in charge, may well be the favourites after an impressive World Cup performance and now playing in their own backyard with plenty of expats there to cheer them on. Qatar caused a few people to sit up and take note with the recent win against Switzerland and draw with Iceland.
Of the best of the rest, the UAE, finalists in 1996 when they last hosted the tournament, should be contenders,
although fans in the cities of Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, will miss their playmaker Abdulrahman. Under coach Alberto Zaccheroni, results have been mediocre and goals scarce.
Other big-name bosses include Marcello Lippi, who is hoping to delay his final game as China boss until February, and Sven Goran Eriksson with the Philippines. Hector Cuper has been hired by Central Asia’s best, Uzbekistan, who are always contenders but often flatter to deceive.
So, while an expanded tournament taking place so soon after the World Cup may take time to get going, there should be enough variety, unpredictability and new faces to capture the attention.