THE TEAMS
GROUP A UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Just nine goals in 16 games under Alberto Zaccheroni put the Italian coach close to the sack and lowered expectations. Injury to key playmaker Omar Abdulrahman has only added to the feeling that repeating the Final appearance of 1996 – the last time the tournament was held on UAE soil – would be a major surprise.
Key Player Ali Mabkhout
THAILAND
South-east Asia’s top team have become more defensively organised under their Serbian boss Milovan Rajevac; a bit too much according to some critics. There is still creativity though, with top players performing well in Japan and an increasing strength in depth. They should be good enough for a last-16 spot.
Key Player Chanathip Songkrasin
INDIA
Finished top of their group in qualifying and approach the tournament full of confidence. Results in preparation under English coach Stephen Constantine have been encouraging and there is a real hope of surviving the group stage. Much depends on attacker Sunil Chhetri, but the defence has improved.
Key Player Sunil Chhetri.
BAHRAIN
The tiny island has faded as a force since the previous decade and qualified through one of the easier groups, which contained Taiwan, Singapore and Turkmenistan. Well organised under experienced Czech coach Miroslav Soukup, they can be frustrating opponents but don’t have the quality to go too far.
Key Player Sayed Saeed
GROUP B AUSTRALIA
After a disappointing World Cup, the defending Asian champions said goodbye to coach Bert Van Marwijk and record goalscorer Tim Cahill. New boss Graham Arnold is in need of a prolific striker and will have to cope without midfielder Aaron Mooy, who has a knee injury.
Key Player Mat Ryan
SYRIA
Preparations are tough at home, but with most players overseas Bernd Stange’s side will be a tricky opponent with forwards such as Omar Al Soma. Have never reached the knockout stage but that should change this time.
Key Player Omar Khribin
PALESTINE
With a reasonably young squad, coach Noureddine Ould Ali has a team that is spirited, hard to beat and not short of talent. Enjoyed their debut in Australia four years ago and there is determination to go one better this time. A recent 1-1 draw in China bodes well.
Key Player Abdelatif Bahdari
JORDAN
Usually more pragmatic than pretty – and that has served them well with two quarter-finals in the last three tournaments. Dutch coach Vital Borkelmans is looking for a more expansive game; and while a recent narrow 2-1 loss to Croatia encouraged, a lack of attacking quality will cost.
Key Player Amer Shafi
GROUP C SOUTH KOREA
The Taeguk Warriors have been in excellent form since Paulo Bento took over as coach in August. Will be without Son Heung-min for the first two games and there are some injuries, but after losing the Final four years ago they won’t be far away from a first title since 1960.
Key Player Son Heung-min
CHINA
Fans are unhappy with the team’s form and home draws with India and Palestine have deepened the gloom. The money spent on coach Marcello Lippi, who will retire after the tournament, has been questioned and hopes of getting past the last eight stage are low.
Key Player Wu Lei
KYRGYZSTAN
The Central Asians are making their debut and draw a high proportion of their players from coach Aleksandr Krestinin’s club side, Dordoi Bishkek. Captain Edgar Bernhardt plays for GKS Tychy in Poland and there is no shortage of experience in this technically sound team.
Key Player Edgar Bernhardt
PhiliPPines
A first appearance for the Azkals, but a tough opener against South Korea won’t faze new coach Sven Goran Eriksson. Physical and direct, an experienced squad with a number of European-born stars, such as goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, will be tough to beat and delighted with the second round.
Key Player Neil Etheridge
Group D iran
Well-drilled, experienced and with a squad spread around Europe and Asia, Iran also have Carlos Queiroz. After eight years in charge, the Portuguese coach would love nothing more than helping the side to a first title since the 1970s. Impressed against strong opposition at the World Cup but will have to take the game to Asian sides.
Key Player Sardar Azmoun
iraq
There’s always plenty of talent in Iraq, though the 2007 champions are inconsistent and often suffer from poor preparations. New coach Srekco Katanec has a penchant for defensive solidity and discipline, and the Slovenian will be expected to do well.
Key Player Ali Adnan
Vietnam
One of the fastest-improving teams in Asia, the Golden Stars are full of creativity and are also becoming harder to beat under Park Hang-seo, aka “The Korean Hiddink”. The team has a nucleus from a successful under-23 side but January may be a little too soon for them. Key Player Nguyen Quang Hai
Yemen
A first appearance at the tournament finals for a team that qualified despite not being able to play at home. The reward is a tough group and the solid defence that brought the team to the UAE will have to step up a level. With years of conflict affecting local football, much depends on the sprinkling of overseas-based talent, but any place above fourth would be viewed as success for coach Jan Kocian.
Key Player Mohammed Ayash
Group E saudi arabia
The Green Falcons ended the World Cup with a first win since 1994 – and that victory over Egypt saved the job of coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, who is trying to instil a more patient passing game. The team lacks a genuine goalscorer but a talented midfield should end any chances of a third successive group stage exit.
Key Player Salman Al Faraj
qatar
Qualification for the 2018 World Cup didn’t go well but the arrival of former Barcelona youth coach Felix Sanchez Bas looks fortuitous. A fairly young team, with few of the former infamous naturalised players, a victory over Switzerland and a draw with Iceland have earned them contender status.
Key Player Akram Afif
lebanon
A first-ever qualification for the competition, the Cedars can be strong at home but don’t always travel well. Tight at the back, conservative and hard-working, they tend to struggle in front of goal. With a tricky group, Montenegrin coach Miodrag Radulovic is under little pressure.
Key Player Hassan Maatouk
north Korea
This is not a vintage North Korean team as coach Kim Yong-jun tries to move away from a long-ball and hardrunning style of play while bringing through a new generation of players. Still defensively solid, they can frustrate better teams but will struggle to make it past the last eight.
Key Player Ri Myong-guk
Group F JaPan
The four-time champions fell at the last eight in 2015 but there is a new generation of young players. A lack of a top-class goalkeeper could hurt coach Hajime Moriyasuto’s hopes of delivering title number five.
Key Player Yuya Osako
uzbeKistan
The central Asians have come close in the past and always have plenty of talent. A lack of a winning mentality has been a problem, but the appointment of Argentina’s Hector Cuper will make them a tougher nut to crack.
Key Player Odil Ahmedov
oman
One of those mid-level teams that rarely make headlines, but coach Pim Verbeek knows Asia better than most. Solid defensively with just three goals conceded in the last 13 games, they often only need one goal to win.
Key Player Ali Al Habsi
turKmenistan
Finishing above Taiwan and Singapore in the group stage may not be much preparation for Japan and Uzbekistan, so finishing a place above last would be worthy of celebration for coach Yazguly Hojageldyyew.
Key Player Ruslan Mingazow