Korea Republic

Many consider Korea Republic's fourth place finish at the World Cup 2002 as the pinnacle of their football history, becoming the first and only Asian team to reach the semi-finals. 

However, the 'Red Devils' have participated in a total of eight World Cups, were the only unbeaten Asian team in qualifying for South Africa 2010 and are currently the third ranked team in Asia.

Their current world standing is less impressive, officially ranked at 44 but an admirable last 16 finish in South Africa has kept a faint light of optimism burning that they can win their first Asian Cup since 1960.

They have experienced a mixed preparation in a handful of friendlies, beating troubled Nigeria, losing narrowly against fellow Asian performers Iran and most recently drawing at home against Japan in a drab encounter. Although not in the most convincing of form, the squad is one in transition with a new coach and a new style of play in practice, so they need time to settle.

No longer reliant on a solo star-performer, few Asian teams can boast the increasing European-based experience of Korea Republic. Their offensive mindset is supported by a strong midfield and attack which should guarantee goals and, at the very least, explosive and entertaining attacks.

However, no matter how passionate and overly optimistic South Korea's fans may be, many doubt a domestically experienced but little-known coach can lead the team to glory in the Middle-East. Cho Kwang-Rae has come under criticism for his perceived naïve tactics and will have his work cut out to strengthen a shaky defence, with some critics calling for the team to play to it's physical strengths and not attempt to emulate world champions Spain.

South Korea's charge will be led by a European-based quartet, including Bolton Wanderers star and Liverpool target Lee Chung-Yong, who is expected to provide attacking flair down the wing. Striker Park Chu-Yong plys his trade for AS Monaco and should provide a goal-threat, supported by Celtic's central midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, known for his vision, technique and pinpoint passes across the pitch.

Star Man
Was there ever any doubt on this front? It had to be the evergreen Park Ji-Sung. His unbeatable work-rate barely needs a mention and yet again the nation's Golden Boy will be leading the team by example. Ji-Sung plays for the giants of world football, Manchester United, captains the national team, is the first Asian to score in three consecutive finals and has racked up almost a century of caps so far in the process. Dutch messiah Guus Hiddink moved Park's position in early 2002 to a winger and since then he has become an extremely versatile midfielder and forward who can play right across the field. Legendary status already achieved, Park will become a God in his country if he can bring home the Asian Cup trophy.

The Coach
Cho Kwang-Rae - If prizes were given for optimism, then Cho Kwang-Rae takes the crown. The successor  to the popular Huh and fifth-choice for the position, he has his work cut out to perform in the role that has been cheerfully dubbed "Poison in the Holy Grail" by the nation's fiercely patriotic fans. The former Korean midfielder is making all the right noises, publicly stating he wants to model their play on world champions Spain.

FourFourTwo predicts...
Despite the changes within the team, there is still quality in abundance. It would be foolish to suggest South Korea cannot reach at least the last four.

Australia

The Socceroos swaggered into their first Asian Cup four years ago with not only the weight of huge expectations, but with a slight air of over-confidence that they were about to cement their place as the dominant nation in their new confederation.

An opening game draw to Oman, which included a last-gasp Tim Cahill goal, was followed by being thoroughly out-played by eventual tournament champions Iraq. A 4-0 crushing of Thailand enabled the Socceroos to stumble out of their group, but the Samurai Blue of Japan put them to the sword on penalties in the first knock-out stage.

The Australian team that played four years ago were stronger than the crop that travel to Qatar this time. For example, there is not the likes of Mark Viduka in Qatar, who notched three tournament goals in our four appearances in 2007.

But what might be lacking in pedigree could be supplemented with a stronger team harmony this time around. 2007 interim coach Graham Arnold had an fractious relationship with many of the players, so proceedings should be different this time
with affable German coach Holger Osieck and his experience of Asian competition success at the helm.

In qualification, a largely A-League-based Socceroos side struggled to get the better of a series of defensive-minded Asian minnows, the nadir coming in defeat to Kuwait in Canberra.

The make-up of the Socceroos Asian Cup squad remains unclear at the time of writing, with many major European-based players unwilling to commit to participation. Based on qualification, if A-League players are relied upon, then it could be a short foray in Qatar.

However, if the likes of Mark Schwarzer (in his possible swansong), Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton and Jason Culina make the trip alongside a good blend of rising talent such as Brett Holman, Dario Vidosic, David Carney and Nikita Rukavytsya, then the Aussies will be tough to stop.

An added advantage this time around is the influx of Australians plying their club trade in Asia. Striker Josh Kennedy has a prolific goalscoring record at J.League club Nagoya Grampus, while defenders Matthew Spiranovic and Mark Milligan, at Japanese sides Urawa Red Diamonds and JEF United respectively, are a potential future Socceroos' back-two pairing.

Mix together that European experience, rising stars and Asian-based players and the continent's top nation should cement their top ranking. The main caveat centres on the added drive other Asian nations will have to take the tournament's biggest scalp.

Star Man
With Scott Chipperfield stepping aside, his replacement at left-back David Carney has improved his defensive approach, while maintaining his eye for a goal, including the recent winner at home to Paraguay. 'Carns' could use Qatar as the perfect stage to cement his Socceroo spot at left-back for years to come.

The Coach
Holger Osieck - German-born Holger Osieck has a solid resume at various clubs and countries. As an assistant, he helped Beckenbauer win the 1990 World Cup, coached Canada to a 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup victory and has coached European clubs like VfL Bochum and Fenerbahce. He also has significant Asian experience, coaching Urawa Red Diamonds. Pre-Osieck, Australia developed a pragmatic and efficient style under Pim Verbeek. Osieck seems keener to foster a more open style.

FourFourTwo predicts...
The knock-out stages are a given, while making the final would represent a strong tournament to establish the Holger era.

Continues on next page...

Bahrain

Months out from the start of the tournament, Bahrain's preparations were thrown into disarray after Austrian coach Josef Hickersberger stepped down just 16 weeks into his tenure.

His final match in charge was a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan, which combined with a coach-less dugout, left the Bahrain preparations in a state of limbo.

Former Pakistan coach Salman Sharida has stepped into the fray just months from the start of the tournament, so has little time to apply his influence.

The 2011 tournament will provide a third successive Asian Cup for Al-Ahmar (The Red), where they were 10 seconds away from knocking out Asian giants Japan in 2004, but limped out of 2007 with a solitary win, despite it being an impressive victory over a strong Korea side.

It is easy to forget that the nation has only 791,000 inhabitants to call upon, yet they still finds themselves 69th on the FIFA world rankings, while they have been as high as 44 back in 2004.

Australian fans will know Bahrain well from the final phase of 2010 World Cup qualification. In their home tie against the Socceroos they thoroughly out-played the visitors before succumbing to a last-gasp Mark Bresciano strike. The return fixture was easier for the Socceroos who ran out 2-0 winners. New Zealand awaited in the World Cup play-off, with the Kiwis doing just enough. With all that in mind Bahrain will probably be keen to exact some revenge over an ANZ rival.

As for qualifying this Asian Cup, they progressed ahead of Yemen and Hong Kong as you might expect, in a campaign that included a fine 1-0 win over group winners Japan while also getting hammered 3-0 by Yemen, proving they have the ability to beat the big guns and falter against the minnows.

At the back of the team Sayed Mohamed Adnan is a defender renowned for coming up for corners and causing trouble with his height and physique. He was a runner-up in the 2009 Asian Footballer of the Year Award, only losing out to Japan's Yasuhito Endo. Adnan missed a crucial penalty during the decisive World Cup qualifier against New Zealand and will be looking to make up for his mistake with a stellar Asian Cup campaign.

Up front A'ala Hubail will look to cause the sort of problems he did in the 2004 Asian Cup when five goals left him as joint top scorer.

Generally though, the Bahrain side is pulled from the country's domestic league, which will cut back on jet lag, but leaves question marks over their depth of quality. They do boast a couple European-based midfielders, Abdulla Fatadi and Abdullah Ismail, who both play in the Swiss Super League for Neuchâtel Xamax.

Star Man
Ismaeel Abdullatif was second top scorer in 2011 Asian Cup qualification with five goals, the lion's share of which came in a nine-minute window with a quick fire hat-trick against Hong Kong in January.

The Coach
Salman Sharida - Appointed only months ahead of the tournament after Austrian Josef Hickersberger quit to return to his former club Al Wahda of UAE. Former Bahraini international Sharida will have limited time to stamp his authority on the team ahead of the big Kick-off. In his time as Pakistan coach his team proved inconsistent, but he does have Asian club success under his belt after leading Muharraq Club to the AFC Cup in 2008.

FourFourTwo predicts...
While they should swat aside India, Australia and Korea will prove too strong for them to progress from the group.

India

Still reeling from the adverse publicity surrounding the PR nightmare that was the Delhi Commonwealth Games, Bobby Houghton's "Bhangra Boys" have a golden opportunity to spotlight all that's good about Indian sport with this rare AFC Asian Cup appearance. And it's a striker who began his career in Delhi who most Indian fans will look to for a miracle.

Star striker Sunil Chhetri banged in a hat-trick against Vietnam in a friendly last October and a similar haul in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final over Tajikistan - which helped hand India automatic entry to Qatar 2011 - underlined the pint-sized striker's pedigree with almost a goal every two games in the blue shirt.

Houghton's men have been handed a difficult group in Qatar. An opening game against the Socceroos is followed by Bahrain and South Korea. Difficult, that is, for a country ranked 144 in the world and 24 in Asia. Yet India's club-like preparation for Qatar is worth noting.

Backed by an increasingly ambitious All India Football Federation (AIFF), a training camp in Dubai was followed by a two-month trip to Portugal at the conclusion of the 2010 I-League season. Granted the opposition were largely second tier club sides, but India backed up their European sojourn with friendlies back in Asia against Yemen, Iraq, Hong Kong, Thailand and Namibia.

There are few easy games in world football but the Bhangra Boys will play without the millstone of expectation. What's more, willing them on will be a billion or so fans back home. Just ask Iraq - emotional waves of support from home can be a potent force.

Keeper Subrata Pal, 24, forms a solid last line of defence but a lot of attention will be on skipper and Indian football great Baichung Bhutia.

The striker's experience with Bury a decade ago gave him the exalted status of first Indian player to play in Europe. Over 100 caps for his country makes him an obvious leader despite lingering concerns about his 34-year-old body. He's even won Jhaluk Dikhhla Jaa, India's version of Dancing With the Stars!

To make any sort of impression on the group, India will need the entire team to
play to their maximum ability. They lack experience and quality at this level, though. And not playing in the cut-and-thrust of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers has robbed them of high-quality games. It's a question mark for sure but in a land where mystics reign, the Bhangra Boys will be pinning most of their hopes on a wizard from Kansas for some divine intervention in Doha.

Star Man
Kansas City Wizard Sunil Chhetri is proving India's X-factor. The 26-year-old is the first Indian player to have signed with an MLS club after making the switch from the I-League in 2010. And although he's been a peripheral figure in Kansas City, Chhetri's played regularly for India in a busy lead-up program.

The Coach
Bobby Houghton - The English-born coach has had a storied career, spanning 14 clubs in 10 countries, three national teams and over 30 years, including time at Bristol City, Al-Ittihad and Uzbekistan. He remains most famous for taking Swedish part-timers Malmo to the 1979 European Cup final. Since he signed in 2006 he's won the AFC Challenge Cup and the Nehru Cup twice. Earlier this year he resigned from his position, but performed a U-turn and signed a new contract.

FourFourTwo predicts...
Just evading bottom spot in the group will be an achievement for India - qualifying will require a miracle.