2015 AFC Asian Cup Group A & B: Team-by-team guide

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  • Up for grabs: The Asian Cup.

    With the showpiece of Asian football kicking off in Australia on Friday, our reporter Matt Monaghan guides us through the teams competing in Groups A and B. 

    GROUP A

    AUSTRALIA  
    Coach: Ange Postecoglou

    Best finish: Runnersup (2011)
    Star player: Mile Jedinak

    One to watch: Tommy Oar 
    Strengths: As hosts, can count on fevered support. Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill provide huge experience.
    Weaknesses: Next generation has failed to fill boots of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka etc. Can struggle badly for goals.
    Verdict: Capable of going all the way. Kind draw makes run to the final very possible.

    SOUTH KOREA 
    Coach: Uli Stielike
    Best finish: Champions (1956, 1960)
    Star player: Son Heung-min

    One to watch: Nam Tae-hee 
    Strengths: Firmly established as one of Asia’s powerhouses. Young squad possesses experience of many top leagues.
    Weaknesses: The Taegeuk Warriors were dreadful at the recent World Cup. Confidence could be a problem.
    Verdict: Will progress through group but struggle to impose themselves against the best.

    OMAN 
    Coach: Paul Le Guen
    Best finish: Group stage (2004, 2007)
    Star player: Ali Al Habsi

    One to watch: Raed Saleh 
    Strengths: Have worked for three years under Le Guen. Are on upwards curve, finishing fourth in November’s Gulf Cup.
    Weaknesses: Real lack of genuine quality in squad. Star striker Amad Al Hosni has only recently returned from injury.
    Verdict: Will need an upset to get through group. South Korea clash is vital to their hopes.

    KUWAIT 
    Coach: Nabil Maaloul
    Best finish: Champions (1980)
    Star player: Aziz Mashaan

    One to watch: Yousef Nasser 
    Strengths: Al Wahda’s Hussain Fadel is a rock at the back, while they possess decent attacking options
    Weaknesses: The new coach has had very little time to work with his troops.
    Verdict: This is a new dawn for Al Azraq under Maaloul. Look weakest team in group, will struggle to progess.

    GROUP B 

    NORTH KOREA 
    Coach: Jo Tong-sop
    Best finish: Fourth place (1980)
    Star player: Jong Tae-Se

    One to watch: Pak Kwang-Ryong 
    Strengths: Squad is slowly broadening horizons, with players plying trade in Switzerland, South Korea and Japan.
    Weaknesses: Have lost four of last five meetings with Asian heavyweights. Lack of inspirational figures on roster.
    Verdict: Will need to be at best to make knockout stage. Not beyond their capabilities to do so.

    UZBEKISTAN 
    Coach: Mirjalol Qosimov
    Best finish: Fourth place (2011)
    Star player: Server Djeparov

    One to watch: Igor Sergeev 
    Strengths: Well-organised team on the rise. Came so close to World Cup qualification.
    Weaknesses: This could be the last stand for a number of key players. Could be perfect time to play or a tournament too far.
    Verdict: More than capable of progressing deep into competition. Potential quarter-final with South Korea is mouthwatering.

    CHINA 
    Coach: Alain Perrin
    Best finish: Runners-up (1984, 2004)
    Star player: Zheng Zhi

    One to watch: Liao Lisheng 
    Strengths: Core of Guangzhou Evergrande players provide solid spine. Captain Zhi still an inspiration, while Marcello Lippifavourite Zhang Linpeng is a rock.
    Weaknesses: Dearth of goals in squad. Have faltered regularly on international stage in recent years.
    Verdict: Are a powerhouse waiting to happen but seems time is still to come. Will compete with Uzbeks and Saudis to progress from group.
     

    SAUDI ARABIA 
    Coach: Cosmin Olaroiu 
    Best finish: Champions (1984, 1988, 1996)
    Star player: Nasser Al Shamrani

    One to watch: Salem Al Dawsari 
    Strengths: Boast Asia’s finest player in Al Shamrani. Huge untapped talent in squad.
    Weaknesses: Warm-up results under temporary boss Olaroiu have been disastrous. Volatile squad never too far from imploding.
    Verdict: It is so difficult to predict what the Falcons will do. Have talent to win whole thing, but too often struggle to put it all together.

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