With the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar just one week away, Arab Information assesses the possibilities of 10 Arab nations participating within the 24-team event.
Group A (consists of China, Tajikistan)
Qatar (2019 champions. FIFA rating 58)
It has been a protracted 5 years for the reason that triumph within the 2019 version of the competitors however, for higher or worse, a lot of the gamers from the event within the UAE are nonetheless round, together with star forwards Almoez Ali and Akram Afif.
The catastrophe of the 2022 World Cup on dwelling soil nonetheless looms giant and coach Felix Sanchez’s substitute Carlos Queiroz has come and gone. One other Spaniard, Tintin Marquez, is now in place. One other title appears unlikely however dwelling soil and the expertise of 2019 might make a distinction.
Arab Information’ prediction is spherical of 16.
Lebanon (2019 group stage. FIFA rating 107)
The buildup has not been one of the best for a staff making ready for under a 3rd finals look and hoping to get previous the group stage for the primary time. Simply final month there was a change of coach with Miodrag Radulovic returning for a second spell to interchange Nikola Jurcevic, who had been in place for simply two months. The Montenegrin has little time to resolve Lebanon’s goalscoring points however the staff is all the time organized, laborious to beat and filled with struggle.
Arab Information’ prediction is group stage exit.
Group B (Australia, Uzbekistan, India)
Syria (2019 group stage. FIFA rating 91)
Bringing in former Inter Milan and Valencia boss Hector Cuper is a coup however the Argentine boss had beforehand annoyed followers in Egypt and Uzbekistan along with his defensive focus.
He has already shocked supporters by leaving out Omar Al-Somah, among the finest strikers within the area, and it stays to be seen the place the targets will come from. It might not be fairly however regardless of combined outcomes of late, together with a 5-0 loss to Japan and a tricky group together with Australia and Uzbekistan, Syria shouldn’t be underestimated.
Arab Information’ prediction is spherical of 16.
Group C (Iran, Hong Kong)
UAE (2019 semifinal. FIFA rating 64)
The shine of the so-called golden technology of the earlier decade has light with star striker Ali Mabkhout one of many few remaining, although he’s nonetheless banging them in.
Current instances have been robust however Paulo Bento, the Portuguese boss who took South Korea to the second spherical of the 2022 World Cup, has are available in and hit the bottom working. Kind is great and there’s a actual vitality and optimism across the staff. May very well be a darkish horse if the route is favorable.
Arab Information’ prediction is quarterfinals.
Palestine (2019 group stage. FIFA rating 99)
That is Palestine’s third look however there has but to be a win, and it’ll not come simple towards Iran, the UAE and Hong Kong. With the conflict on Gaza ongoing, any victory can be trigger for the type of celebration that might greet every other staff successful the entire thing. The strain is off and Palestine, led by star striker Oday Dabbagh and cheered on by neutrals, have what it takes to get to the second spherical.
Arab Information’ prediction is spherical of 16.
Group D (Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam)
Iraq (2019 spherical of 16. FIFA rating 63)
The query is similar each time: Can Iraq repeat their title-winning heroics of 2007? This squad is essentially the most internationally skilled that the nation has ever had — solely eight play at dwelling, together with thrilling teenage winger Ali Jasim. A lot will depend on whether or not Spanish coach Jesus Casas can carry all of it collectively. He has been there since 2022 to make sure that preparations have been extra settled than regular. He shall be assured of second behind Japan after which, as 2007 confirmed, something can occur.
Arab Information’ prediction is quarterfinals.
Group E (South Korea, Malaysia)
Bahrain (2019 spherical of 16. FIFA rating 86)
It’s now 20 years since Bahrain had been dissatisfied to lose the semifinal of the 2004 event. This time, simply attending to the knockout levels can be seen as success however they do have Juan Antonio Pizzi in place, the person who led Chile to the 2016 Copa America. He has been in cost for the reason that summer time and has spent quite a lot of time making an attempt to instill his regular attacking sport primarily based on possession. Could also be laborious to take action towards South Korea within the opener however actual assessments come towards Malaysia and Jordan.
Arab Information’ prediction is spherical of 16.
Jordan (2019 spherical of 16. FIFA rating 87)
Outcomes have been poor within the buildup, with 5 defeats and two attracts within the final seven video games of 2023 however Jordan are inclined to step it up when the event begins.
Strain is on coach Hussein Ammouta. The Moroccan tactician was introduced in amid excessive expectations to copy the 2017 success he had within the African Champions League and elsewhere, which implies he might undertake a extra cautious strategy. He wants a very good begin towards a much-improved Malaysia.
Arab Information’ prediction is spherical of 16.
Group F (Thailand, Kyrgyzstan)
Saudi Arabia (2019 spherical of 16. FIFA rating 56)
Roberto Mancini has been in cost since August. Expectations are all the time excessive but it surely was 1996 after they gained their third and final trophy. The Italian named a comparatively younger and forward-looking squad although nonetheless wants star participant Salem Al-Dawsari to shine. The Inexperienced Falcons must do higher than 2019’s second-round end and may accomplish that, however will want all Mancini’s tactical knowhow and one of the best from the gamers to get previous the likes of Japan and South Korea.
Arab Information’ prediction is a closing spot.
Oman (2019 spherical of 16. FIFA rating 74)
The Reds wish to affirm that they’re one of many continent’s greatest after a fantastic efficiency in qualification for the 2022 World Cup. A shock November loss to Kyrgyzstan has, nonetheless, seen coach Branko Ivankovic criticized for the primary time in his 4 years in cost — with questions surrounding staff picks and his desire for prolonged coaching camps. Getting previous the spherical of 16 for the primary time is the goal however extra can be welcome.
Arab Information’ prediction is spherical of 16.
