The tournament in the UAE brings together a diverse collection of nations, from strong contenders Iran and South Korea to minnows like Yemen and Kyrgyzstan.
Here are the profiles of the sides from Groups C and D:
GROUP C
South Korea
Star player: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Coach: Paulo Bento
Despite a memorable win over Germany at the World Cup, South Korea exited at the group stage in Russia. The often unnecessarily defensive tactics of Uli Stielike held back a team with so many strengths and quality players.
Under Paulo Bento, Korea have adopted a more attacking style boosted by the influx of youth. There’s plenty of reasons for optimism but the absences of Kwon Chang-hoon, Nam Tae-hee and Jang Hyun-soo may prove costly while this tournament may have come a little too soon for Bento.
Best result: Champions 1956, 1960
Verdict: Runners-up
South Korea
China
Star player: Wu Lei (Shanghai SIPG)
Coach: Marcello Lippi
The desperate appointment of Marcello Lippi to save their qualification campaign has left them with little chance of thriving at the tournament itself. The Italian’s loyalty to an aging group of players has made for a stale squad with young talent denied opportunities as Lippi is set to step down after the competition in UAE.
Their preparations for the Asian Cup have been below par, with draws against India and Palestine particularly concerning. Wu Lei could be a bright spark but Lippi has struggled to fit in the prolific forward.
Best result: Runners-up 1984, 2004
Verdict: Round of 16
China
Kyrgyzstan
Star player: Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov (Bashundhara Kings)
Coach: Aleksandr Krestinin
Kyrgyzstan have come a long way in recent years to make their Asian Cup bow. Aleksandr Krestinin is credited for organising the team well defensively and forging a solid unit, but of late he has led them into the next phase of their development – improving the attacking side of their game.
They boast a decent front three while holding midfielder Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov is pivotal to their chances. However, Anton Zemlianukhin – their chief marksman – is struggling for fitness. Ultimately, a simple lack of quality is likely to expose them.
Best result: First qualification
Verdict: Group stage exit
Kyrgystan
Philippines
Star player: Neil Etheridge (Cardiff City)
Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson
Still minnows but there’s cause for optimism as they make their debut in the competition. The Philippines have made great strides over the last decade and impressed during their unsuccessful World Cup qualification campaign which included victories over Bahrain and Yemen.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s appointment in October, taking over from interim boss Scott Cooper, has come as a surprise. However, with Cooper staying on as assistant, the transition has been smooth and the Swede does lend excellent tournament experience.
Best result: First qualification
Verdict: Group stage exit
Neil Etheridge
GROUP D
Iran
Star player: Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan)
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
As the most dominant team in Asia over the last four years, Iran gave an excellent account of themselves at the 2018 World Cup, narrowly losing out to Spain and Portugal in the battle to advance from Group B.
Their tactical discipline, attacking intent and fearlessness won over neutrals and expectations will be high in the UAE. They’re among the favourites after obliterating oppositions in qualifying, taking 40 points from a possible 48. They have quality, depth and with Carlos Queiroz at the helm, are well organised.
Best result: Champions in 1968, 1972, 1976
Verdict: Semi-finals
Iran.
Iraq
Star player: Hussein Ali (Qatar SC)
Coach: Srecko Katanec
Iraq have had six managers since the last edition but such instability and general chaos is their norm. They were hit hard in 2018 by controversy over the ages of some of their players.
There have been rifts within the squad while Srecko Katanec’s tinkering with formations has been less than ideal. But the Lions won this tournament while their country was torn apart by war in 2007. Despite everything, expect a fighting display from a team that boasts a nucleus of talented players.
Best result: Champions in 2007
Verdict: Quarter-finals
Iraq
Vietnam
Star player: Nguyen Quang Hai (Hanoi FC)
Coach: Park Hang-seo
Emotions, and confidence, are high in the Vietnamese camp following a stellar 2018 that included a Suzuki AFF Cup triumph. The emergence of several youth players has breathed new life into the squad, which is one of the youngest at the Asian Cup.
While the team has retained some crucial senior players who provide balance and experience, new coach Park Hang-seo has tailored the team’s playing style of fast-paced attacks to the vibrant youngsters at their disposal.
Best result: Quarter-finals 2007
Verdict: Group stage exit
Vietnam.
Yemen
Star player: Abdulwasea Al-Matari (Dibba Al-Hisn)
Coach: Jan Kocian
Yemen’s success in qualifying for their first Asian Cup is a welcome distraction for a country disrupted by civil war and disease. They only won six of their 18 games in qualifying, scoring 16 goals and conceding 23.
Preparations ahead of the tournament have been poor with the lack of games played a genuine concern. Little is expected from them in the UAE but they remain committed and formidable opponents with far more to play for than points on the board.
Best result: First qualification
Verdict: Group stage exit
Yemen
