Asian Cup of Nations 2019

Couldn't find a thread, but this tournament will take place in UAE in January. Prominent Asian players in Europe like Son, Okazaki, etc will be away for a month. This is the first extended version with 24 (basically half of the continent) participating. I'm especially interested to see how China perform, having finished very strong in the World Cup qualifiers, and with more investment and Lippi in charge, they'd really have to go for it, as the World Cup participating nations will likely be in a post-WC hungover.

Last round of qualifiers are to be played this week:

Kyrgzystan vs. Myanmar was postponed a few months ago due to hostility after Myanmar's actions against Rohingya people. It's a little like do or die for both teams, and will feel like a knock out match as only one of these teams can qualify after India.

Also looking forward to Philippines vs. Tajikistan on Tuesday. Another massive game.

The teams who have so far secured qualification are:
UAE, Qatar, S.Korea, Japan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Syria, Iraq, China, Palestine, Oman, India, Lebanon, Turkmenistan, Jordan, Bahrain, and Vietnam.

Palestine?
I believe it is their first time, isn't it?
Luckily Israel NT is UEFA member..

Early thread for this, Was planning about absolutely ruining my Asian counterparts in early 2019 but I think the time is now.

YOU WILL FEEL THE WEIGHT OF A BILLION (hu play cricket lol)

Nishankly wrote:Early thread for this, Was planning about absolutely ruining my Asian counterparts in early 2019 but I think the time is now.

YOU WILL FEEL THE WEIGHT OF A BILLION (hu play cricket lol)

I had no idea we qualified. How ffs ?!

SHOW YOURSELVES  @Betty @Kaladin @M69 @Zigra @Kick @Pedram @Ifty @KSA @boyziz @Sepp @Pooi @fatman

Face off against @Nishankly @S @Lucifer @Adit @Sri @Glory @zenmaster

I can't wait to destory all of you, Reminds me of the famous brave Indian line before heading into war "Darr lag raha hai bencho"

fully behind Japan.

Robespierre wrote:Palestine?
I believe it is their first time, isn't it?
Luckily Israel NT is UEFA member..

Israel was part of AFC until the 70s. It was too much trouble to keep them around.

Palestine is actually a solid team. They beat a stable, relatively decent opponent like Oman in their group.

Firenze wrote:fully behind Japan.

Sit down you peasant GTFO

was struggling to think who Coinçon was and then I saw the date

always surprises me the lack of top players coming out of India and China, I know about Cricket and WWE being the premiere sports (at least in India) but with populations that large it's surprising that there are basically no elite players. Japan and Korea have had numerous good players over the years in comparison. Is it just a case of grass roots football/development centers being lacking in China and India? expect to see some elite players in the next decade at least ffs.

OR, is it a case, at least when it comes to China, that they have some talented players but they just never venture outside of the country much like their English counterparts so there aren't as many eyes on them (globally) and we never notice

Yes, We choose academics and owning the silicon valley over sports other than cricket. No funding in at each level if not a marketing stunt and India ranks really low for passport strenght for some vague reason so no EU or BREXIT work permit as well for footballers.

China does way way way better and they have players playing around the globe.

Can’t wait for Lebanon v Vietnam WATTBA

Unique wrote:Can’t wait for Lebanon v Vietnam WATTBA

Why? Both them speak French and have no common history together or was that a jibe at my continent u pos GTFO back to the EUROS

Will be fun !

fully behind Nord Korea

Myesyats wrote:fully behind Nord Korea

They'll qualify.

24 team Asian Cup is like 64 team CL. Things people do for love money.

Nishi, you forgot mention your famous win over Brazil.

Isn't Kick from NZ??? He doesn't count.

Palestine has done decently (considering their mess and resources) for around a decade now.

Kyrgyzstan beat Myanmar in a thrilling encounter 5-1 to qualify.

China lost a friendly match to Ryan Giggs' Wales 0-6... =( wow

Firenze wrote:was struggling to think who Coinçon was and then I saw the date

always surprises me the lack of top players coming out of India and China, I know about Cricket and WWE being the premiere sports (at least in India) but with populations that large it's surprising that there are basically no elite players. Japan and Korea have had numerous good players over the years in comparison. Is it just a case of grass roots football/development centers being lacking in China and India? expect to see some elite players in the next decade at least ffs.

OR, is it a case, at least when it comes to China, that they have some talented players but they just never venture outside of the country much like their English counterparts so there aren't as many eyes on them (globally) and we never notice

Yes I don't know really a name of a decent Chinese player
Really surprised if they exist tbh

Zagadka wrote:

Robespierre wrote:Palestine?
I believe it is their first time, isn't it?
Luckily Israel NT is UEFA member..

Israel was part of AFC until the 70s. It was too much trouble to keep them around.

Palestine is actually a solid team. They beat a stable, relatively decent opponent like Oman in their group.

I'm going to support them tbh

Son got this.

Robespierre wrote:

Firenze wrote:was struggling to think who Coinçon was and then I saw the date

always surprises me the lack of top players coming out of India and China, I know about Cricket and WWE being the premiere sports (at least in India) but with populations that large it's surprising that there are basically no elite players. Japan and Korea have had numerous good players over the years in comparison. Is it just a case of grass roots football/development centers being lacking in China and India? expect to see some elite players in the next decade at least ffs.

OR, is it a case, at least when it comes to China, that they have some talented players but they just never venture outside of the country much like their English counterparts so there aren't as many eyes on them (globally) and we never notice

Yes I don't know really a name of a decent Chinese player
Really surprised if they exist tbh

Zagadka wrote:

Robespierre wrote:Palestine?
I believe it is their first time, isn't it?
Luckily Israel  NT is UEFA member..

Israel was part of AFC until the 70s. It was too much trouble to keep them around.

Palestine is actually a solid team. They beat a stable, relatively decent opponent like Oman in their group.

I'm going to support them tbh

Crazy to imagine how many Asian teams can't play on their own home field.

Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria ... I wonder if I'll live long enough to see a football FIFA-sanctioned football match ever again in Baghdad, Damascus, or Gazza.

In the continuous PR campaign of Saudi Arabia, crown prince MBS promised to build a huge football stadium in Basra, Iraq after his country lost a friendly match to Iraq 4-1 a few weeks ago. It's on Reuters, I can't post the link.

I do wonder, Bert Van Marwijk did a fantastic job in Riyadh to get the Saudis qualified for the World Cup, yet he couldn't agree on terms with them for renewal to coach them in Russia, so now he took the job of Australia NT.

Since when Australia can pay coaches more than Saudi Arabia? Something very fishy there, in my opinion.

Firenze wrote:fully behind Japan.

South Korea will probably win though. As much as it pains me to say, Nobody else in Asia has quite a strike force like: Son,Keun Ho, and Shinwook. Especially Son. Best Asian player on Earth.

@Zagadka 其中的球員觀看？

^ Korea haven't won the cup in decades, and Son never performs as good for them as he does for his club. I can't see them winning, especially hosted in UAE.

As for the second question: 武磊

My favourite of all time:

Nishankly wrote:SHOW YOURSELVES  @Betty @Kaladin @M69 @Zigra @Kick @Pedram @Ifty @KSA @boyziz @Sepp @Pooi @fatman

Face off against @Nishankly @S @Lucifer @Adit @Sri @Glory @zenmaster

I can't wait to destory all of you, Reminds me of the famous brave Indian line before heading into war "Darr lag raha hai bencho"

What you calling me out for, NZ are not in Asia.

Australia won't win it again, can confirm that much.

You just about escaped then Kick. Lucky you.

If Son keeps his form up, South Koera should be by far the favourites for it.