AL-AIN, United Arab Emirates (AFP) - AFP Sport looks at five things we learnt from the opening round of group games at the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates:
1. Home advantage countsÂ
It has been a long time since Iran or Saudi Arabia were kings of Asia but with the tournament back in the Middle East, they have looked in ominous form.
Iran, Asia's top-ranked team, swamped Yemen, the lowest in the competition at 135 on the FIFA listings, 5-0 in the biggest win of the first round. Iran haven't lifted the trophy since 1976, when they completed a run of three straight victories - two of them on home soil.
Three-times winners Saudi Arabia, who last won the title in UAE, a short hop over their shared border, in 1996, were also impressive in their 4-0 win over North Korea.
After Jordan stunned defending champions Australia, and Uzbekistan became the only side from outside the region to beat a Middle Eastern team, it's tempting to think that home comforts count for much.
2. Don't mind the gap
Reputations increasingly mean little in international football but when Turkmenistan and the Philippines are playing the continent's best, expectations are understandably low.
However, a thunderous first-half strike put Turkmenistan 1-0 up against four-time winners Japan, who eventually escaped 3-2, while the Philippines repeatedly troubled South Korea, runners-up in 2015, before narrowly losing 1-0.
They were far from isolated incidents: Jordan dealt a heavy blow to Australia's title defence with a 1-0 upset win, and Kyrgyzstan were 1-0 up against China before an own goal put Marcello Lippi's team on course for a face-saving 2-1 victory.
Meanwhile, India's 4-1 win over Thailand rocked the record five-time Southeast Asian champions so much that they promptly sacked their coach, Milovan Rajevac.
3. Bring me Son-shine
Despite the surprises and moments of quality so far, a dash of star power would not go amiss and it's not just South Korea who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Son Heung-min.
The Tottenham Hotspur forward will significantly boost the Korean front line when he joins the competition after Friday's game against Kyrgyzstan, under a deal struck with his Premier League club.
Son led South Korea to the Asian Games title last year, and memorably struck their second as they knocked holders Germany out of the World Cup in Russia.
He will also help raise the profile of a tournament which is not blessed with a great number of personalities well known outside of Asia, apart from some of the coaches who include Lippi, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlos Queiroz and Hector Cuper.
4. It's not just cricket
Indian sports fans have a new idol to love - and he's not a cricketer. When Sunil Chhetri plundered a brace in the shock win over Thailand, he moved past Lionel Messi and behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the goal-scoring charts for active international players.
Chhetri's achievement added extra excitement as India celebrated their first Asian Cup win since 1964. A strong run in the tournament will do India's burgeoning football scene no harm at all but despite the success, headlines remained dominated by cricket as it coincided with India sealing their first Test series win in Australia.
5. Politics never far awayÂ
Qatar's journey to UAE in the middle of the Gulf blockade was never going to be easy but so far they have dealt with the situation admirably, shrugging off any outside distractions to beat Lebanon handily in their opening match.
It is the first time Qatar's national team has visited UAE since the start of the crisis in the middle of 2017, when neighbouring countries cut ties and enforced a blockade of the resource-rich state which will host the 2022 World Cup.
Sanctions-hit Iran also complained of a variety of problems in the build-up to the tournament, while Yemen are in the midst of a full-blown war and humanitarian crisis, Syria have long been wracked by conflict and Iraq's situation remains turbulent.
Jurgen Klopp vowed this season was just the "first step" for his Liverpool team as he congratulated Manchester City on pipping his side to the Premier League title on Sunday. Liverpool beat
Klopp: Premier League near-miss is only Liverpool's 'first step'
"Yes, our title run has been affected and we are now having 70% chances. Had we won, we would have gone up to 90% chances of claiming the league title. They (Vipers) showed intent from the word go -exerting pressure which forced my midfield to drop back. But in the second half, we played our way (offensive) and missed a lot chances.
Partick Thistle: Alan Archibald rues missed chances in St
Anas Bani Yaseen's first-half header helped Jordan to a 1-0 upset over Australia in the opening match of Group B at the Asian Cup. Australia's bid to defend their Asian Cup crown began in
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Jordan inflict shock 1-0 defeat on Australia
Dec 22, 2018 · Deeney and Deulofeu seal Watford win over West Ham and raise Europe hopes sign up and get our daily football email. West Ham worked up a storm early in the second half but precision still
Deeney and Deulofeu seal Watford win at West Ham | Reuters.com
One year on from defeat to Real Madrid in the final, Jürgen Klopp tasted victory as Liverpool overcame Spurs in a scrappy Champions League final on Saturday. The game burst into life early on
Stadium - liverpoolfc.com
Jesus fires as Man City snatch top spot from Liverpool Gabriel Jesus's return to form as the Brazilian struck twice in a 3-1 win over Everton as Manchester City leapfrogged Liverpool back to
Jesus fires as Man City snatch top spot from Liverpool
Tim Paine, the Tasmanian hauled from the scrapheap and handed the Test captaincy amid the biggest scandal in Australian cricket history, has pulled off a remarkable victory, humbling Indias
ICC 2019 - tickets on sale for Shanghai and Singapore dates. #InternationalChampionsCup #Tickets #Juventus #ManUtd #SpursTour2019. ICC 2019 - tickets on sale for
Tottenham's opponents and dates 'revealed' for Asia
TA' QALI: Alvaro Morata's remarkable revival continued on Tuesday as he scored twice for Spain in a 2-0 victory over Malta. After edging past Norway 2-1 on Saturday, Morata's double at the Ta'Qali
Morata double gives Spain win over defensive Malta | Free
Lloris is much more experienced than Paulo Gazzaniga, but Jenas fears that the Frenchman's poor form could cost Spurs a place in the top four if Mauricio Pochettino doesn't make a change.
Former Tottenham man says Hugo Lloris should be dropped after
Qatar can win the Asian Cup for the first time, according to coach Felix Sanchez. The 2022 World Cup hosts booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat of Iraq on Tuesday.
Who is Qatar's national football team coach Felix Sanchez?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has aimed a cheeky dug at Liverpool. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will welcome their arch-rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford ahead of the high voltage Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Solskjaer aims veiled dig at Mourinho as he seeks to return
Dutch pair Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema are the first players from the same country to win PFA Player of the Year awards in the same year. Dutch duo Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema have won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year awards for 2018-19. Liverpool defender Van Dijk, 27, beat Raheem Sterling
Virgil van Dijk and Raheem Sterling win PFA Player of the
Harry Kane was injured in the final moments of the defeat by Manchester United. Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be out until March after injuring ankle ligaments in Sunday's 1-0 Premier League
Spurs star Kane out until March with ankle injury
0 comments:
Post a Comment