Co-hosted for the first time by four different countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam - 16 of the top countries from across Asia will battle it out over 22 days for the coveted title.

Having made the decision to leave the Oceania region and join the Asian Football Confederation last year, Graham Arnold'sAustralia have naturally been installed as among the favourites in their tournament debut.

With the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill at Arnold's disposal, Australia are able to call upon one of the most talented squads at the event with experience from top-flight leagues across Europe.

The Socceroos will kick off their campaign against Oman on July 8 before games against Thailand and Iraq.

Standing in Australia's way, however, are Japan, who have been the strongest side in the tournament in recent years. They won the event in 1992 and have triumphed twice more since, with successive victories in 2000 and 2004.

Japan are chasing an unprecedented fourth success at the Asian Cup this year and with players such as Shunsuke Nakamura, who has shone in Scotland with Celtic, and Eintracht Frankfurt's Naohiro Takahara, they are well equipped to achieve that feat.

They will begin their title defence against Qatar on July 9 in Group B before facing co-hosts Vietnam and United Arab Emirates.

South Korea, who became the first side to lift the trophy when the tournament began in 1956, are, like Japan and Australia, one of the tournament heavyweights.

However, their chances of lifting the trophy for the first time in over 40 years have taken a massive blow with a number of injuries to key players.

English Premier League stars Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo and Seol Ki-hyun have all been ruled out with injuries and it could prove difficult for Pim Verbeek's side to cope without the trio.

They will also have to navigate a tricky Group D which includes Bahrain, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, the latter of whom South Korea will open against on July 11.

Saudi Arabia will also be aiming to bring back the glory days and make up for their disappointing showing in the 2004 tournament.

The Green Falcons dominated the AFC Asian Cup for 16 years between 1984 and 2000, winning it on three occasions and making it to every final during that period.

But in 2004 they failed to even make it past the first round and they will hope to restore their proud record this year.

Fellow Middle East side Iran are also looking to regain their former successes after they became the first side to win the Asian Cup three times in a row between 1968 and 1976.

Former Asian Player of the Year Ali Karimi, recently of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, will once again be the creative fulcrum of the side while Vahid Hashemian is expected to lead the attacking line with Rahman Rezaei marshalling the defence.

They are in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup and will open against Uzbekistan on July 11 before playing China and Malaysia.

The final will be held on July 29 in Jakarta.