Group B

JAPAN
Shunsuke Nakamura
Turning 29 just before the Asian Cup kicks off, Japan’s midfield wizard Shunsuke Nakamura is in the prime of his career. He plays in Scotland for Celtic and was in sparkling form this year, being named Scottish PFA Player of the Year for the season just passed. The guy is a genius. His free kicks are an asset for any team as he showed against Manchester United in this year’s Champions League, not once but twice. Must perform if Japan is to succeed Last September he became the first Japanese player to score in the UEFA Champions League and only the second Asian player to do so. Nakamura took Japan to its second consecutive Asian Cup title in 2004 and in the process was named Most Valuable Player. He will need to repeat his great form here because he leads a much less experienced outfit in 2007. He has the creativity and vision to scare Group B opponents UAE, Qatar and Vietnam, but it remains to be seen how he adjusts to Ivica Osim’s running game.

QATAR
Khalfan Ibrahim
Ibrahim, at just 18 and in his first full professional season, was the surprise recipient of the AFC’s Player of the Year Award last year.
A diminutive and tricky attacking midfielder or forward, he has performed well for Qatari club Al-Sadd domestically and in the Asian Champions League. In the national team Ibrahim scored a double on debut in the Asian Cup qualifying match against Bangladesh. Eagle-eyed Qatari fans however have had high hopes for Ibrahim since he scored an impressive goal against Holland in 2005’s U17 World Championship. Japan, UAE and Vietnam’s defences will have to watch out for Ibrahim.


UAE
Ismail Matar
The tournament’s leading scorer at last January’s Gulf Cup, the pint-sized Emirati is set to add to his camel collection after the Asian Cup even if he doesn’t bag a winner’s medal. The 24-year-old has been viewed as a rising star ever since he was awarded the Golden Ball at the 2003 World Youth Championships after being voted player of the tournament.
Could he be in Europe next season? A successful Cup could put him there.


VIETNAM
Phan Thanh Binh
Despite playing for V-League strugglers Dong Thap, Phan Thanh Binh is one of the most talented of the current generation of Vietnamese players. He starred recently against arch rivals Thailand in the ASEAN Football Championship and scored against the Thais in the Kings Cup.