Everything you need to know about each of the Group C, including the key fixture.
The home of the Asian Football Confederation, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, will enjoy a competitive group featuring countries that span the cultural and geographic divide of Asia. You could not ask for a more contrasting quartet, with the obscure former Soviet state of Uzbekistan, the behemoth China, the cultural mixing pot of Malaysia and the Middle Eastern might of Iran.
Iran, with three Asian Cup titles, is the clear favourite, with a side that includes legends Mehdi Mahdavikia and Ali Karimi, who should both reach the milestone of 100 career caps during the group stage. The country won’t lack motivation – its last Asian Cup triumph coming more than 30 years ago, in 1976 – but will need to find form during the group, because if they qualify in first, they will meet a strong second-placed team from Group D, probably either South Korea or Saudi Arabia in the knock-out quarter-final. Of more interest to the neutrals however will be the battle for second in the group.
China, runners-up in the last Asian Cup and with regular semi-final appearances over the last 30 years of the competition, will be marginal favourites to clamber their way past Uzbekistan.
Group C will also be known for its impressive stadia. The National Stadium Bukit Jalil was built especially for the 1998 Commonwealth Games and seats almost 90,000 people. In other groups on matchday three, when both matches are held simultaneously, a secondary, often more modest stadium is used such as Group A’s 35,000-seater Supachalasai or the Army Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City for Group B. In Group C that secondary stadium is the 67,000-seater Shah Alam Stadium with impressive curved duel roofs. All the AFC needs to do now is fill it.
THE BIG MATCH
Uzbekistan vs China
This clash will likely determine who finishes the group in second place, therefore qualifying for the quarter-finals. Few are predicting that Iran will slip up, and even fewer give Malaysia much of a chance to earn more than a point here or there. What that means is Uzbekistan and China will probably be battling head to head for the second qualification position, and that position may hinge on this final round match.
Iran, with three Asian Cup titles, is the clear favourite, with a side that includes legends Mehdi Mahdavikia and Ali Karimi, who should both reach the milestone of 100 career caps during the group stage. The country won’t lack motivation – its last Asian Cup triumph coming more than 30 years ago, in 1976 – but will need to find form during the group, because if they qualify in first, they will meet a strong second-placed team from Group D, probably either South Korea or Saudi Arabia in the knock-out quarter-final. Of more interest to the neutrals however will be the battle for second in the group.
China, runners-up in the last Asian Cup and with regular semi-final appearances over the last 30 years of the competition, will be marginal favourites to clamber their way past Uzbekistan.
Group C will also be known for its impressive stadia. The National Stadium Bukit Jalil was built especially for the 1998 Commonwealth Games and seats almost 90,000 people. In other groups on matchday three, when both matches are held simultaneously, a secondary, often more modest stadium is used such as Group A’s 35,000-seater Supachalasai or the Army Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City for Group B. In Group C that secondary stadium is the 67,000-seater Shah Alam Stadium with impressive curved duel roofs. All the AFC needs to do now is fill it.
THE BIG MATCH
Uzbekistan vs China
This clash will likely determine who finishes the group in second place, therefore qualifying for the quarter-finals. Few are predicting that Iran will slip up, and even fewer give Malaysia much of a chance to earn more than a point here or there. What that means is Uzbekistan and China will probably be battling head to head for the second qualification position, and that position may hinge on this final round match.
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