Asian Cup - Group Preview - Friendlies, Information and more..

[persiangodfather]

---------Gucci
Dejagah-----Azmoon----Jahanbaksh

--------Nekonam---Ando---------

Pooladi-----Hosseini---Sadeghi----Rezaein

[ehsan singapore]

That is my thoughts as well ... we couldn't put together more than 3 healthy passes. I don't like this style of play... it is below our capabilities.

we played well our b team had 2 100% chances to score and 1 second half beside the goal, we passed well after our main players came, overall was a good performence

[Javeed]

Iraq are also short on victories and their confidence would not have been helped by a 1-0 loss to Iran yesterday.

http://www.todayonline.com/sports/football/japan-iran-and-s-korea-win-asian-cup-warm-ups

[Javeed]

GROUP C: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - QATAR - IRAN - BAHRAIN

Conventional wisdom
A quick look at the current FIFA world rankings suggests that 51st placed Iran are clearly the team to beat. The Iranians made it through the qualifying stage undefeated and are the fourth overall favorite to win this year's title, behind Japan, Australia and South Korea. However, they will face plenty of competition if they are to win the group.

Qatar come into the tournament as one of the in-form teams. A stellar triumph in November's Gulf Cup underlined their credentials, while a first-ever victory over Australia in a friendly in October was also a significant fillip to propel them to 95th in the world rankings.

Since breaking into the world's top 100 nations in 2012, the United Arab Emirates have remained a top 100 team and currently sit at 81. They also enjoyed an unbeaten qualifying campaign, including a 5-0 rout of AFF semifinalists Vietnam.

At 122 in the standings and just 14 overall in Asia, Bahrain loom as the minnows of the group. But their Asian Cup qualifying campaign included both a 1-0 victory and a 0-0 draw from two matches against group rivals Qatar. That suggests they should also be competitive in the 2015 event.


Must watch
Sunday, Jan. 11 -- United Arab Emirates vs. Qatar

The two West Asian nations share a naval border in the Persian Gulf, have Arabic as their primary language and boast some stunning architecture in the capital cities of Abu Dhabi, UAE and Doha, Qatar. At this year's Asian Cup, not only will the winners of their game in Canberra earn some friendly bragging rights, but it will also give them the impetus required to progress further in the tournament.

With Iran shaping up as the heavyweights of the pool, this opening match could turn into a slugfest with both teams leaving nothing behind in order keep their hopes alive beyond the opening round.

Main men
Bahrain -- Mohamed Salmeen

The captain and the linchpin of the midfield, Salmeen is considered among the most talented players in the Bahraini side. A constant since 2000, he will need to offer his usual influence if Bahrain hope to advance from the group.

Iran -- Ashkan Dejagah

Forward Dejagah, 28, is primed to make a big impact in Australia. He has an impressive pedigree in European football with Hertha Berlin and Wolfsburg in Germany before scoring five goals in 43 appearances for English outfit Fulham between 2012 and 2014.


Qatar -- Khalfan Ibrahim

With 22 goals from 81 appearances in the midfield, Ibrahim has an outstanding record for his country. The 26-year-old made his national debut in 2004 at the age of just 17.

United Arab Emirates -- Ali Al-Wehaibi

Boasting a long and decorated career with United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain FC, the 31-year-old has also made 46 appearances for his country and is a key member of its midfield.

What matters most
Can anyone stop Iran? A team that has qualified for every edition of the Asian Cup since hosting, and winning, their first attempt back in 1968, Iran sit head and shoulders above the rest in Group C.

Having sailed through qualifying, the Iranians will have their eyes firmly focused on ensuring they are still around at the business end of this year's event. Team Melli chase a fourth title, which would equal the record held by Japan.

The three other members of this group will be equally optimistic of ensuring their qualification, or even finishing on top, after their three matches. The opener between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will provide an early indication of who could advance, before Bahrain face a huge test against the group favourites in Melbourne.

Prediction
1. Iran
2. Qatar
3. United Arab Emirates
4. Bahrain

http://www.espnfc.com/afc-asian-cup/2243/blog/post/2224430/afc-asian-cup-group-c-preview-united-arab-emirates-qatar-iran-bahrain

[SinaBahali]

*As of 01-01-15

[persianfire]

*As of 01-01-15

I hardly believe Iraq's average age is under 23.

[persianfire]

Qatar 3 : 1 Team Wellington (New Zealand league)

[Shayan_91]

Somehow I have a very funny feeling that South Korea won't even make it out of their group. Don't ask me why. Like in the World Cup, also in the Asian Cup some team may surprisingly get kicked out very early.

[irani8perspolis]

Highlights of Qatar - Wellington

[saadat_abad]

they have deff gotten better! no doubt.

[AllStarMomo]

The NR 11 is not bad. 2 great shots.

[Wahid Dejagah]

Boualem Khoukhi plays for Al-Arabi (AD's team). He's a good player, but as long as we don't underestimate them, let's not overestimate them either... That NZ team was Azadegan quality at best, especially with that hysterical keeper of theirs

[Camran khan]

Wellington is probably at the same level as the team TM played and Nouri was able to score a hattrick on and CQ cancelled the game after 45 min because of the low level of the competition

[persiangodfather]

Ashkan Dejagah and Kiesuke Honda are the best 2 players in this tournament and in Asia

[Martin-Reza]

Goals from a Kuwaiti and an Algerian inlcuded. This team is just a joke, even if they win something one day, they will never be respected.