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Get ready for the 2019 Asian Cup, Asia’s biggest soccer tournament. Twenty four teams from across the continent take the field to compete for the bragging rights of being crowned Asia’s champion. Let’s look at some of the best teams favored to win the competition.
2019 Asian Cup Favorites
It was a calculated gamble for @SpursOfficial, @OfficiaISonny & @theKFA... but could it actually pay off for all the parties involved?!?!@gabetan13 assesses whether can cope without their favourite Son for the start of the @afcasiancup! #AsianCup2019https://t.co/tJCO4HGTRz
— FOX Sports Asia (@FOXSportsAsia) December 27, 2018
Iran
Iran leads once more as favorites to win after dominating the region’s soccer for the past four years. Team Melli has lost once since the last Asian Cup in 2015. Iran’s backbone is a strong defense system created by former Real Madrid and Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.
Sardar Azmoun's return to the ranks comes as a big boost to Iran’s offense. His experience in European soccer poses an advantage for creating scoring opportunities. Other notables include Majid Hosseini, an up and coming talented player with international experience.
Korea Republic
The Korean Republic has an offensively focused dynamic team led by Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min. Manager Paulo Bento has molded this team into an attack-minded squad that is always dangerous.
The Korea Republic has consistently reached the latter stages of the tournament, having finished as runners-up on four opportunities. Key players such as Lee Jae-sung and Hwang In-beom give Korea Republic strength and balance.
Japan
Japan hopes to regain its previous success in the AFC Asian Cup. The Samurai Blue showed their strength by reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, almost knocking out Belgium. Though they’ve lost many of their veteran talents, Japan doesn’t have a shortage of young blood among its ranks.
Japan’s new chief Hajime Moriyasu has assembled a solid squad with the likes of Newcastle United’s Yoshinori Muto and Werder Bremen’s Yuya Osako leading the line. Groningen midfielder Ritsu Doan is one of Japan’s young stars in a team that has its sights on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Australia
The Aussies won the Cup back in 2015 on their home turf. The Socceroos have lost some of their grizzled veterans, but players such as Celtic’s Tom Rogix and midfielder Massimo Luongo could raise a few eyebrows.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudis may be three-time champions of this tournament, but they head into the AFC Asian Cup 2019 looking to advance past the group stage for the first time in three editions. However, new coach Juan Antonio Pizzi seems to have gotten the Green Falcons back on track.
Players such as Salem Al-Dawsari, Yahya Al-Shehri, and Abdullah Otayf are the backbone of the attack. Another notable is Abdulelah Al-Amri, a young and capable player that should make some waves in the tournament.
