From The Stands Asian Cup Preview – Group D
Group D is an intriguing group as it contains the past two Asian Cup champions in Japan (2011) and Iraq (2007), plus tournament debutant Palestine who have endured their overwhelming share of adversity and have qualified via the Asian Challenge Cup tournament. Jordan complete the group and will be looking to challenge for a spot in the knockout stages.
Japan
Japan are the current bookmakers favourite for the tournament and deservingly so. The 4 time Asian Cup champions are one of the most successful nations in Asian history and boast some of the best Asian players in the world. Recent form has not been ideal though for Japan, with a disappointing World Cup campaign followed by a heavy friendly loss to Brazil. Recent friendly wins over Jamaica, Honduras and Australia will boost spirits coming into the tournament.
2011 Result: Champions
FIFA Ranking: 54th
Best Result: Champions (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
Key Players:
Keisuke Honda – Has found a rich vein of form since his move to Italian giants A.C. Milan and will be one of the players that opponents will be trying to keep quiet.
Shinji Kagawa – The Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder has been a mainstay in the Japan lineup and his natural combinations with Honda and his team-mates allows him to run the match. Will be very hard for opponents to take out of the game.
Supporters: The Japanese fans are renowned for their vocal support for their nation and there will be no difference this tournament. Expect to hear many renditions of ‘Nippon Ole’ from a large sea of blue. Also known as some of the best support around, after actually sticking around after a World Cup match to help clean up the stadium.
Prediction: 1st
Jordan
Jordan have never failed to reach the knockout stage of an Asian Cup that they’ve played in, so that will give them nation great confidence in a tough group. 2014 was a mixed year for Jordan, finishing runner-up in the West Asian Football Federation Championship behind Qatar but following Asian Cup qualification they have gone winless in their last 10 matches.
2011 Result: 6th (Quarter-Finalist)
FIFA Ranking: 93rd
Best Result: 6th (2011)
Key Players:
Amer Shafi – The Jordanian keeper has represented his nation 107 times and is affectionately known as the ‘Whale of Asia’ due to his amazing reflexes and acrobatic saves. Will be tough to put goals past.
Keep an eye out for Abdallha Deeb as well, a dangerous striker who has 20 goals in his 88 caps for Jordan.
Supporters: Jordanian supporters are very passionate about their football and regularly achieve decent attendances at international matches. Their last match in Jordan having a crowd of 8,500 seeing the visiting South Korea win 1-0. I would not expect the largest amount of Jordanian travelling fans, but the ones that travel will be vocal.
Prediction: 3rd
Palestine
What an effort it’s been from the Palestinian’s to reach the 2015 Asian Cup. A team that was only admitted back into FIFA in 1998, and have been through more adversity than any other nation. This is Palestine’s debut in the Asian Cup and to be honest no-one really knows what to expect from the side. Will more than likely be the ‘whipping boys’ of the group, but the glitz and glamour of the international competition will be an experience for all the players/staff.
2011 Result: DNQ
FIFA Ranking: 115th
Best Result: First time qualified
Key Players:
Ashraf Nu’man – Was a lethal striker for Palestine in the Asian Challenge Cup helping his team along its way by also netting the only goal in the final capturing qualification for his nation.
Supporters: Palestinan supporters are very supportive of their national team, with a few hundred fans watching the squads last hit-out before leaving the country. Fans littered the streets in Palestine after the nations win over Philippines to qualify for the Asian Cup and any win or draw in this tournament will have them in raptures.
Prediction: 4th
Iraq
The 2007 Asian Cup winners are a Asian football powerhouse and have only ever once failed to progress past the group stage of the premier Asian football tournament. Iraq have failed to win an international match since March, 2014 but still have the quality to turn this tournament on its head.
2011 Result: 8th
FIFA Ranking: 114th
Best Result: Champions (2007)
Key Players:
Ali Adnan – The 21yo left back has shown amazing talent whether it be with his speedy pace or his ferocious set piece shooting. Keep a keen eye on his explosive bursts of speed to beat players down the wing and deliver dangerous crosses.
Supporters: There are a large contingent of people who identify themselves with Iraq that are either Australian born or now Australia living so crowds to games featuring Iraq have the potential to be played in front of good crowds, especially Iraq vs Japan in Brisbane.
Prediction: 2nd
Key Fixtures
12th January at Newcastle Stadium – Japan vs Palestine
Realistically if you look at this match with a head to head view, you’d expect a heavy Japan win. The key to this fixture though is it is Palestine’s first Asian Cup match and even if they do lose heavily, this is a momentous occasion for both Palestinian and world football. Any kind of upset could see Japan lose their title as favourites for the tournament.
12th January at Brisbane Stadium – Jordan vs Iraq
Japan are expected to top the group, and these two teams will be the two likely to fight it out for second spot in the group and subsequent qualification for the knockout stages. The fact that this match is so early in the group stage will set the tone for both squads tournament and both will be setting out to put their foot in the door early.
Full Fixtures
Japan vs Palestine. 12/1 at Newcastle Stadium 6pm
Jordan vs Iraq. 12/1 at Brisbane Stadium 7pm
Palestine vs Jordan. 16/1 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium 6pm
Iraq vs Japan. 16/1 at Brisbane Stadium 7pm
Japan vs Jordan. 20/1 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium 8pm
Iraq vs Palestine. 20/1 at Canberra Stadium 8pm
Who do you think will win the group and are you attending any games from this group? Let us know in the comments below!
Other From The Stands Asian Cup Previews
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