With Australia joining the Asian Football Confederation, the stability of the traditional big four nations of Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea was shaken. Whereas once upon a time these countries, the only multiple winners of the tournament, might have expected to be drawn into separate groups, the arrival of Australia bumped the Saudis from the four seeds. As a result, the Saudis are paired with South Korea in a tantalising early confrontation.
Along with Bahrain, fourth-place getters in the 2004 Asian Cup, and Indonesia, one of the stronger host nation sides, Group D is shaping up as the tournament’s group of death. The Saudis and Koreans are clear favourites to progress, the opening fixture between Bahrain and Indonesia will determine who the biggest challenger will be. Anything but a win for either will make qualification nigh on impossible.

For the Saudis and South Koreans, the early challenge of playing one of the tournament’s other heavyweights will ensure they are in prime match condition for an assault on the knockout stages. Whereas countries such as Japan and Australia may not meet a power until the semi-finals if they perform as predicted, not only will the Group D combatants tackle each other in their group, the team that qualifies second faces a likely match-up with Iran in the quarter-finals.

It’s a difficult proposition, and one that places extra value upon the matchday one fixture. With such importance riding on the clash between the favourites, neither team can afford to start the tournament slowly. South Korea, hit by injuries to key players, is looking particularly vulnerable, while Saudi Arabia, still embarrassed by the bottom of the group finish in 2004, will be out to make amends.


THE BIG MATCH
Indonesia vs Bahrain
The four host nations are outsiders, tipped to get little more from their group matches than tourist dollars. However, if the Asian Champions League has taught us anything, it is that home ground advantage in Asia counts for plenty. Indonesia’s Persik Kediri have recently beaten Sydney FC and Shanghai Shenhua at home, and drawn with Urawa Reds in their own backyard. This match looms as one where the home nation could spring a surprise.