Socceroos handed tricky Asian Cup draw

Graham Arnold will lead the reigning champions against three Middle East nations in what is billed as the biggest and richest Asian Cup ever, with the winning team pocketing $5m USD ($6.6m).

Australia has drawn Syria - who they in the World Cup qualifiers continental playoff - Palestine and Jordan in Group B, all teams familiar with the conditions they'll face in the UAE.

Top seeded teams, Iran, Japan and Saudi Arabia could potentially face some awkward moments in their respective groups. In contrast, Group C opponents South Korea and China have been handed relatively easy assignments with Kyrgyz Republic and the Philippines making their tournament debuts.

The top two teams plus the four best third-placed teams from the six groups will progress to the Round of 16.

The draw was part of a lavish ceremony at Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

For the first time the Cup will see 24 teams vying for glory. The Cup will run from January 5 to February 1 with matches played in eight venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah. 

Almost $15m USD ($19.9m)in prizemoney is up for grabs. All participants will receive $200,000. Losing semi finalists will win $1m and the runner-up takes away $3m.

The Asian Cup also comes with a newl trophy. The art deco inspired piece, designed and crafted in England, is based on the lotus flower with the five petals representing the five regions of the confederation.

A brand new redesigned art-deco inspired trophy and a prize money worth 15 Million USD to be won this time around! #Indianfootball #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/qYQJ8NLjR3

— football news india (@fni) May 4, 2018

On paper the Socceroos - ranked 40th in the world - should deal comfortably with their Group B opponents. 

Australia and Syria are well acquainted after the two nations faced off in FIFA World Cup qualification play-off matches in Melaka and Sydney last October. Overall, Australia has played Syria on just two occasions in history, both in 2017, recording a win and a draw.

Palestine will be a new opponent for the Caltex Socceroos, as the two nations have never met as senior men’s international level. Palestine made their AFC Asian Cup debut in Australia in 2015, finishing fourth in Group D behind Japan, Iraq, and Jordan.

About Palestine
World Ranking: 83
Previous Asian Cup Appearances: 1
Asian Cup Record: Group stage - 2015
Head Coach: TBC

Australia and Jordan have played four times in history, with the results split down the middle with two wins to Australia and two wins to Jordan. Australia last played Jordan in Sydney in 2016, with the green and gold recording a 5-1 win that night.

About Jordan
World Ranking: 117
Asian Cup Appearances: 3
AFC Asian Cup Record: Q-finalists - 2004, 2011
Head Coach: Jamal Abu-Abed (JOR)

GROUPS

GROUP A
UAE
Thailand
India 
Bahrain

GROUP B
Australia
Syria
Palestine 
Jordan

GROUP C
Korea Republic
China
Kyrgyz Republic 
Philippines 

GROUP D
Iran
Iraq
Vietnam
Yemen 

GROUP E
Saudi Arabia
Qatar
Lebanon
DPR Korea 

GROUP F
Japan
Uzbekistan
Oman
Turkmenistan