Asia’s top-ranked team Australia were pitted against fellow World Cup finalists South Korea at the draw for next year’s Asian Cup on Friday, while three-time champions Japan will face Saudi Arabia.
The Socceroos, who struggled in their tournament debut at the last Asian Cup in 2007, have their work cut out in a tough Group C that also includes Bahrain and minnows India.
At a glitzy draw at the Aspire Dome that culminated 21 months of qualifying, Japan were drawn alongside all-Gulf opposition, with Syria and Jordan making up Group B.
PHOTO: AFP
Defending champions Iraq will take on Iran, North Korea and the United Arab Emirates, while hosts Qatar are in Group A with China, Kuwait and Uzbekistan.
“It is not an easy group, but then none of them are,” Australia’s Dutch technical director Han Berger said. “No game in this type of tournament is going to be easy.”
He expressed fears that some of his European-based players, such as Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell, may face opposition from their clubs to play with domestic seasons in full flight.
“Maybe it will be a problem. I’m Dutch, so I know European clubs don’t like to lose their players for tournaments like this. We will try to have our strongest team possible,” he said.
Australia will also have a new coach, with Pim Verbeek already announcing he will step down after the World Cup.
India, who have qualified for the first time in 24 years, look like being the group whipping boys and coach Bob Houghton is under no illusions about the task ahead.
“It’s probably the toughest group there is,” the Englishman said. “We’ve had good preparations so far, but it’s a big ask. We need to improve, but you never know what might happen.”
Japan won the tournament in 1992, 2000 and 2004, and plan to add to the tally in January.
“We aspire to be in the final,” Japan’s technical director Hiromi Hara said. “It’s amazing that we have all Gulf nations, but I am glad we avoided South Korea and Australia.”
“Who is the toughest team in our group? Well, all Asian teams are strong nowadays, so I can’t single one out,” he said.
The tournament opens at the 50,000 capacity Khalifa Stadium and will be played in January rather than July to avoid the searing summer heat in the Qatari capital.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam said he had high hopes for the tournament.
“The 16 teams in today’s draw represent the hopes and aspirations of millions of people,” said Bin Hammam, himself a Qatari. “Each of them dreams to take the coveted Asian Cup back home. Today, the Asian Cup highlights everything that is exceptional in Asian football. This competition will bring together our very best players. I am confident that new benchmarks will be set here in Doha next year.”
The last tournament was hailed as a turning point for Asian soccer and despite Berger’s concerns, organizers are confident there will be no problem with European clubs releasing their top Asian stars.
“FIFA regulations say that players must be released by their clubs to play the Asian Cup,” AFC vice president and Asian Cup organizing committee chairman Zhang Jilong said. “We don’t foresee any problems.”
Five stadiums will be used — the Khalifa Stadium, the Al Sadd Stadium, the Al Gharafa Stadium, the Al Rayyan Stadium and the Qatar Sports Club Stadium.
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