MODEST JAPAN AIM FOR FIFTH TITLE
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu indulged in some early mind games by claiming his side were long shots to win a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title.
"We're the challengers," said the former Japan midfielder, who has yet to lose in five matches since taking over from Akira Nishino after the 2018 World Cup.
"Our job is to try and snatch the title back."
Despite Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki and Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa being omitted from the squad, former Japan coach Philippe Troussier has tipped the Samurai Blue for glory in the United Arab Emirates.
"Japan have one of the best teams in the competition on paper," said the Frenchman. "Of course, teams like South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia have the same ambition, but Japan have the potential to win the title."
Japan open their campaign against Turkmenistan on Wednesday and also face Oman and Uzbekistan in Group F.
Veteran Yuto Nagatomo believes the new-look team, who reached the knockout stages of last year's World Cup after controversially sacking coach Vahid Halilhodzic in the run-up, can spring some surprises.
"We have to believe we can win it," the Galatasaray full-back told local media.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
JAPAN FACTFILEÂ
FIFA RANKING: 50
BEST PERFORMANCE: Champions (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
LAST EDITION (2015): Quarter-finals
COACH: Hajime Moriyasu
KEY PLAYER: Takumi Minamino (forward)
Â
Â
Â
SOUTH KOREA BANK ON SON TO END LONG WAIT
South Korea are hoping forward Son Heung-min's dazzling pace and goals can help them end a 59-year wait to be crowned continental kings.
The 2015 runners-up have put their stamp on the international scene in recent times, stunning holders Germany at last year's World Cup before winning the Asian Games football tournament in September last year.
Son, 26, was at the heart of both successes and his delight was plain to see at the Asian Games where victory earned the team an exemption from South Korea's compulsory, 21-month military service.
He has been in scorching form for Tottenham, scoring seven goals in his last seven Premier League games and he believes a break from international duty in November helped him avoid a mid-season burnout.
Since coach Paolo Bento took charge of the Taeguk Warriors in August, they have been unbeaten in seven matches. Son will, however, miss the first two matches against Philippines (Monday) and Kyrgyzstan (Jan 11) under an agreement between Spurs and the Korea Football Association. He will join the squad in time for their final Group C clash against China on Jan 16.
"The Asian Cup is big for us because we have not won it for 59 years... I am going there to win something," he added.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
SOUTH KOREA FACTFILE
FIFA RANKING: 53
BEST PERFORMANCE: Champions (1956, 1960)
LAST EDITION: Runners-up
COACH: Paulo Bento
KEY PLAYER: Son Heung-min (forward)
QUEIROZ EYES FAST START FOR IRAN
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has demanded a high-intensity start against debutants Yemen in their Asian Cup Group D opener.
World No. 29 Iran, the top-ranked Asian team, are one of the tournament favourites and the Portuguese said they must make their presence felt on Monday.
"I want to develop this kind of instinct in my team, to keep all of our energy so that it explodes in the 90 minutes against Yemen," Queiroz told the AFC website.
"And, when we finish the game, then it's time to think about Vietnam and after that Iraq."
Queiroz urged his team not to underestimate 135th-ranked Yemen.
"The first game is always the most difficult because it's everything for the winner and almost nothing for the loser in a short competition of three games," he said. "There are no small teams.
"I was checking the results of the Iran teams in different competitions, at U-17s, U-20s, and never have Iran beaten Yemen in official competitions.
"There's a reason for that: Yemen might draw or lose, but Yemen are a tough team to beat."
Iran are looking to end a 43-year wait for their fourth title. They crashed out of the last Asian Cup on penalties to Iraq in a thrilling quarter-final.
REUTERS
IRAN FACTFILE
FIFA RANKING: 29
BEST PERFORMANCE: Champions (1968, 1972, 1976)
LAST EDITION: Quarter-finals
COACH: Carlos Queiroz
KEY PLAYER: Sardar Azmoun (striker)
ADDITION OF TRIO A BOOST FOR THAILAND
The return of Teerasil Dangda, Theerathon Bunmathan and Chanathip Songkrasin may force Thailand to make a few tactical tweaks, but vice-captain Chalermpong Kerdkaew said their experience will only improve the team's chances at the Asian Cup.
Teerasil, who missed out on Thailand's AFF Suzuki Cup campaign last month when they exited in the semi-finals, was named captain by coach Milovan Rajevac. The 30-year-old striker, who plays for J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima on loan from Muangthong United, is the only surviving member from Thailand's last Asian Cup appearance in 2007.
He has scored 42 goals in 95 appearances, while full-back Theerathon and midfielder Chanathip allow them to be more adventurous going forward.
"It is good to have them back in the squad. We are stronger with them in the team," said Chalermpong.
Thailand face India in their Group A opener tomorrow before meeting Bahrain and host UAE.
Despite their underdogs status, Thailand are targeting a first appearance in the knockout stages since 1972 when they finished third on home soil.
"I agree that all the teams that have qualified for the finals are strong, but we aren't afraid of anyone," Chalermpong added.
REUTERS
THAILAND FACTFILE
FIFA RANKING: 118
BEST PERFORMANCE: Third place (1972)
LAST EDITION: Did not qualify
COACH: Milovan Rajevac
KEY PLAYER: Chanathip Songkrasin (midfielder)
Football: Liverpool's TV income may top record £250 million
For a lion, learning to hunt is one of the most important skills that it will ever acquire. In the early days hunting is a combination of instinct, observation, and practice for young lions. Wildlife photographer Heidi Watson was on a game drive at Rhino River Lodge when guests were privileged to
On The Hunt | Young Lions
MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has again cast doubt on the Premier League champions' readiness to win the Champions League for the first time despite being favourites for the competition. City host Bundesliga strugglers Schalke on Tuesday with a 3-2 first leg lead in their last
Man City still teenagers in adult world of Champions League
DUBAI, Jan 16 (Reuters) - FIFA says it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini refugee soccer player arrested in Thailand in November over a
UPDATE 1-Soccer-FIFA says in regular contact with AFC over
Mourinho has left United on the back of a bruising 3-1 defeat at Liverpool Manchester United have sacked Jose Mourinho as manager after two and a half years in charge. The Portuguese, 55, won the
Jose Mourinho sacked as Manchester United manager and set to
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope in absence of Kane and Alli The Colombian defender has insisted that the Tottenham squad is strong enough to cope without two of their star men
Lloris confident Tottenham can cope without Kane - Football365
PARMA, Italy (REUTERS) - Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10-man Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second Euro 2020
Football - Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy
And unlike England camps of old where club rivalries have left to factions forming on international duty, Kane believes Gareth Southgate's squad will not be distracted ahead of Euro 2020
Kane: Club rivalries will not split England camp, Latest
I want to use Kahoot! As a teacher. As a student
Kop-a-hoop, Football News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
Mauricio Pochettino has focused heavily on Spurs' mentality during the build-up to the final in Madrid (Adam Davy/PA) The Argentinian, who also designated 45 minutes each day to the mental preparation, is a self-confessed spiritualist and believes in fate, destiny, energies, and auras.
Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10-man Liechtenstein 6-0 in their second Euro 2020 qualifier on Tuesday.
Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash
watch champions league live streaming match
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch premier league games live stream
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch champions league live streaming eng
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch live stream soccer games online free
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
apps to watch live streaming soccer
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch soccer game live now
watch soccer live stream links
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
watch live streaming soccer games
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch coppa america live streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch soccer online free streaming live
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch champions league live streaming video
watch champions league live streaming now tv
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch the premier league live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch premier league darts live stream
watch champions league live streaming crictime
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming espn
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch the champions league live stream
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch english premier league live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch soccer live streaming juventus
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch premier league live in stream
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
watch coppa america live streaming yify
soccer tv live net stream
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch champions league live stream uk
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch premier league stream reddit
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch live soccer stream android
watch coppa america live streaming eng
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch soccer game live espn
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming direct
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
watch premier league live streaming yify
watch soccer live - live football streaming
watch premier league live streaming video
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch champions league simulcast live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch soccer games live stream free app
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch champions league live streaming now
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming uk
#soccer #jadwalbolahariini #leicestercity #coyg #freekicks #boxing #GarageCafeDxb #chocolatecoffee #Celtic #liverpoolcity #soccerbible #girlsniteout #ucl #pagani #bayervshoffenheim #portsmouthfc #liverpool #Liamgallagher #bundesliga #PartyTime #meunier #manunited #frasitrap #mane #comico #mancityvsliverpool #manchesterunited #433skills #beatifulgame #winner #americanfootball #freekickerz #Barcelona #leomessi #transfernews #acmilan #sunderlandafc #MyDubai #coys #arsenal #league2 #premierleague #salah #watchlive #league1 #londoncity #serieatim #liverpool #goodday #kroenkeout #golazo #coutinho #comics
No comments:
Post a Comment