Asia Cup: Who to watch

Tim Cahill celebrates after scoring against the Netherlands in Porto Alegro during the World Cup in Brazil, June 18, 2014. Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

 After an at times bright showing at last year’s World Cup, albeit one that garnered no points and three losses, the build-up to the Asian Cup tournament has been marked by some confident words by hosts Australia.

That confidence, however, is contingent on the Socceroos having a positive result against Kuwait in the tournament’s first match that took place in Melbourne on Friday night.

Frank Lowy, in his last year as Football Federation Australia chairman, will have demanded coach Ange Postecoglou lead the national side to a least a semi-final berth in the three-week tournament that culminates with the final in Sydney on January 31. Should Postecoglou take the side to the final he could become a national hero. But failure will prompt questions about the FFA’s decision to award him a five-year contract a little over a year ago.

On paper at least, winning the tournament seems a tough proposition for a Socceroos squad reliant on star striker Tim Cahill for goals and with question marks lingering about its defensive prowess.

Australia is second-favourite with the bookmakers behind only Japan, but starts the tournament as only the 10th-highest Asian side in the official world rankings. Iran is also considered a chance to win, as is a young and rapidly improving South Korea.

GROUP A

■  Australia

■  South Korea

■  Oman

■  Kuwait

Player to watch: Tomi Juric (Australia). Young striker who, incredibly, at 23 could become Australia’s highest-paid player if a mooted moved to Shanghai Shenhua, and a $6 million salary happens.

Best match: Australia versus South Korea in Brisbane on January 17 should decide who finishes top of the group.

GROUP B

■  Uzbekistan

■  Saudi Arabia

■  China

■  North Korea

Player to watch: Nasser Al-Shamrani (Saudi Arabia). The forward attracted controversy for spitting at and then attempting to headbutt Australian defender Matthew Spiranovic in the Asian Champions League final in December.

Best match: North Korea play its biggest political and economic supporter China in Canberra on January 18.

GROUP C

■  Iran

■  United Arab Emirates

■  Qatar

■  Bahrain

Player to watch: Ashkan Dejagah (Iran). Quick striker for whom Qatari side Al-Arabi paid $12 million to sign from English team Fulham last year.

Best match: Whoever wins the match between United Arab Emirates and Qatar in Canberra on January 11 should qualify from the group alongside favourites Iran.

GROUP D

■  Japan

■  Jordan

■  Iraq

■  Palestine

Player to watch: Keisuke Honda (Japan). Considered to be the best player in the Cup, the midfielder plays for AC Milan in Italy.

Best match: More than 2 million Palestinian refugees live in Jordan, meaning plenty of interest when those two countries play in Melbourne on January 16.