Everything you need to know about each of the Group B, including the key fixture.
When the United Arab Emirates and hosts Vietnam line up for the opening match of Group B, the excitement will be cooking My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. For Vietnam, the Asian Cup is an unlikely opportunity to not only host but also compete in a major tournament. Its trophy-less history and minuscule chance for qualification befits that of a team ranked alongside the might
of Malta and Andorra on FIFA’s World Rankings. However, Vietnam will still get to enjoy playing in one of the Asian Cup’s more compelling groups.
In Japan the group has its clear favourite. Along with Australia in Group A, Japan received the easiest draw in the tournament, with the weak Vietnamese and second-tier Qatar and UAE making up their opponents. Shunsuke Nakamura, Naohiro Takahara, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and co can afford a slow start as they chase their fourth Asian Cup title from the last five tournaments. While the Japanese should romp through the group, the battle for second position will go down to the wire.
UAE, coming off the back of a Gulf Cup success in January, will feel confident that they can beat Qatar. With magic man Bruno Metsu at the helm, and boom midfielder Ismael Mattar threatening to light up the tournament, they will take some stopping. Qatar however has enjoyed success itself of late, albeit by its Under 23 side, which took out the Asian Games football title in December.
With its own burgeoning superstar, reigning Asian Player of the Year Khalfan Ibrahim, and a Gulf Cup from 2004, Qatar will provide a stern challenge. Look out for matchday three, when these two West Asian nations go head to head for the likely meeting with Australia in the quarter-finals.
THE BIG MATCH
Qatar vs UAE
The humble, little Army Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City hosts one of the tournament’s biggest group stage clashes. Qatar and UAE should easily account for minnows Vietnam, but will struggle against Japan. These evenly matched sides will therefore clash on matchday three with a place in the quarters, and a likely meeting with Australia, at stake. Qatar in 2004 and UAE in 2007 have hosted and won the two most recent Gulf Cup of Nations.
of Malta and Andorra on FIFA’s World Rankings. However, Vietnam will still get to enjoy playing in one of the Asian Cup’s more compelling groups.
In Japan the group has its clear favourite. Along with Australia in Group A, Japan received the easiest draw in the tournament, with the weak Vietnamese and second-tier Qatar and UAE making up their opponents. Shunsuke Nakamura, Naohiro Takahara, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and co can afford a slow start as they chase their fourth Asian Cup title from the last five tournaments. While the Japanese should romp through the group, the battle for second position will go down to the wire.
UAE, coming off the back of a Gulf Cup success in January, will feel confident that they can beat Qatar. With magic man Bruno Metsu at the helm, and boom midfielder Ismael Mattar threatening to light up the tournament, they will take some stopping. Qatar however has enjoyed success itself of late, albeit by its Under 23 side, which took out the Asian Games football title in December.
With its own burgeoning superstar, reigning Asian Player of the Year Khalfan Ibrahim, and a Gulf Cup from 2004, Qatar will provide a stern challenge. Look out for matchday three, when these two West Asian nations go head to head for the likely meeting with Australia in the quarter-finals.
THE BIG MATCH
Qatar vs UAE
The humble, little Army Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City hosts one of the tournament’s biggest group stage clashes. Qatar and UAE should easily account for minnows Vietnam, but will struggle against Japan. These evenly matched sides will therefore clash on matchday three with a place in the quarters, and a likely meeting with Australia, at stake. Qatar in 2004 and UAE in 2007 have hosted and won the two most recent Gulf Cup of Nations.
Related Articles
Arnie urges Olyroos to seize their chance
Three Things We Learnt: Olyroos v Bahrain
