MODEST JAPAN AIM FOR FIFTH TITLE
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu indulged in some early mind games by claiming his side were long shots to win a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title.
"We're the challengers," said the former Japan midfielder, who has yet to lose in five matches since taking over from Akira Nishino after the 2018 World Cup.
"Our job is to try and snatch the title back."
Despite Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki and Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa being omitted from the squad, former Japan coach Philippe Troussier has tipped the Samurai Blue for glory in the United Arab Emirates.
"Japan have one of the best teams in the competition on paper," said the Frenchman. "Of course, teams like South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia have the same ambition, but Japan have the potential to win the title."
Japan open their campaign against Turkmenistan on Wednesday and also face Oman and Uzbekistan in Group F.
Veteran Yuto Nagatomo believes the new-look team, who reached the knockout stages of last year's World Cup after controversially sacking coach Vahid Halilhodzic in the run-up, can spring some surprises.
"We have to believe we can win it," the Galatasaray full-back told local media.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
JAPAN FACTFILEÂ
FIFA RANKING: 50
BEST PERFORMANCE: Champions (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
LAST EDITION (2015): Quarter-finals
COACH: Hajime Moriyasu
KEY PLAYER: Takumi Minamino (forward)
Â
Â
Â
SOUTH KOREA BANK ON SON TO END LONG WAIT
South Korea are hoping forward Son Heung-min's dazzling pace and goals can help them end a 59-year wait to be crowned continental kings.
The 2015 runners-up have put their stamp on the international scene in recent times, stunning holders Germany at last year's World Cup before winning the Asian Games football tournament in September last year.
Son, 26, was at the heart of both successes and his delight was plain to see at the Asian Games where victory earned the team an exemption from South Korea's compulsory, 21-month military service.
He has been in scorching form for Tottenham, scoring seven goals in his last seven Premier League games and he believes a break from international duty in November helped him avoid a mid-season burnout.
Since coach Paolo Bento took charge of the Taeguk Warriors in August, they have been unbeaten in seven matches. Son will, however, miss the first two matches against Philippines (Monday) and Kyrgyzstan (Jan 11) under an agreement between Spurs and the Korea Football Association. He will join the squad in time for their final Group C clash against China on Jan 16.
"The Asian Cup is big for us because we have not won it for 59 years... I am going there to win something," he added.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
SOUTH KOREA FACTFILE
FIFA RANKING: 53
BEST PERFORMANCE: Champions (1956, 1960)
LAST EDITION: Runners-up
COACH: Paulo Bento
KEY PLAYER: Son Heung-min (forward)
QUEIROZ EYES FAST START FOR IRAN
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has demanded a high-intensity start against debutants Yemen in their Asian Cup Group D opener.
World No. 29 Iran, the top-ranked Asian team, are one of the tournament favourites and the Portuguese said they must make their presence felt on Monday.
"I want to develop this kind of instinct in my team, to keep all of our energy so that it explodes in the 90 minutes against Yemen," Queiroz told the AFC website.
"And, when we finish the game, then it's time to think about Vietnam and after that Iraq."
Queiroz urged his team not to underestimate 135th-ranked Yemen.
"The first game is always the most difficult because it's everything for the winner and almost nothing for the loser in a short competition of three games," he said. "There are no small teams.
"I was checking the results of the Iran teams in different competitions, at U-17s, U-20s, and never have Iran beaten Yemen in official competitions.
"There's a reason for that: Yemen might draw or lose, but Yemen are a tough team to beat."
Iran are looking to end a 43-year wait for their fourth title. They crashed out of the last Asian Cup on penalties to Iraq in a thrilling quarter-final.
REUTERS
IRAN FACTFILE
FIFA RANKING: 29
BEST PERFORMANCE: Champions (1968, 1972, 1976)
LAST EDITION: Quarter-finals
COACH: Carlos Queiroz
KEY PLAYER: Sardar Azmoun (striker)
ADDITION OF TRIO A BOOST FOR THAILAND
The return of Teerasil Dangda, Theerathon Bunmathan and Chanathip Songkrasin may force Thailand to make a few tactical tweaks, but vice-captain Chalermpong Kerdkaew said their experience will only improve the team's chances at the Asian Cup.
Teerasil, who missed out on Thailand's AFF Suzuki Cup campaign last month when they exited in the semi-finals, was named captain by coach Milovan Rajevac. The 30-year-old striker, who plays for J1 League club Sanfrecce Hiroshima on loan from Muangthong United, is the only surviving member from Thailand's last Asian Cup appearance in 2007.
He has scored 42 goals in 95 appearances, while full-back Theerathon and midfielder Chanathip allow them to be more adventurous going forward.
"It is good to have them back in the squad. We are stronger with them in the team," said Chalermpong.
Thailand face India in their Group A opener tomorrow before meeting Bahrain and host UAE.
Despite their underdogs status, Thailand are targeting a first appearance in the knockout stages since 1972 when they finished third on home soil.
"I agree that all the teams that have qualified for the finals are strong, but we aren't afraid of anyone," Chalermpong added.
REUTERS
THAILAND FACTFILE
FIFA RANKING: 118
BEST PERFORMANCE: Third place (1972)
LAST EDITION: Did not qualify
COACH: Milovan Rajevac
KEY PLAYER: Chanathip Songkrasin (midfielder)
winner | Malaysia News is a newsreader (RSS reader) providing a summary of headlines and latest news stories disseminated in the reliable news sources from Malaysia News. Malaysia News reads latest regional, national and local headlines in English and Melayu.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic fails to attend training for Paris Saint
Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series - theworldnews.net
Pochettino's side looked like they would hold on for a point as the match entered stoppage-time, but Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake ended third-placed Tottenham's stubborn resistence to delay their attempt to guarantee a place in the top four.
Ake strikes late to sink nine-man Spurs | Football News and
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 16, 2019, with the headline 'Klopp hails Salah as he targets 97-point total'. Print Edition | Subscribe Topics:
Klopp hails Salah as he targets 97-point total
Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the drop Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Huddersfield Town - St James Park, Newcastle, Britain - February 23, 2019 Huddersfield Towns Jonathan Hogg in action with Newcastle Uniteds Jamaal Lascelles Action Images via Reuters/Lee
Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the drop
Football: Fandi Ahmad coy on SEA Games rule of two overaged players as he focuses on improving U-22 side we need players who can understand the way we want to play, how we defend and attack
Singapore Football : No.1 Source for SG Football Compilation
Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham paid the price for thinking their match against Wolves was won in the first half, as they then couldn't raise the "energy" necessary to win the game, after
Spurs press conference live: Pochettino on - football.london
Is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's start at Manchester United the best in Premier League history? Newcastle United and Reading in the FA Cup. by Glen Durrant 5 days ago Football Liverpool beat
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer off to perfect start as Manchester
Chelsea passed another tough test in Europe after claiming a valuable away draw in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt. Luka Jovic gave the Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea - Europa League semi-final
Premier League: Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal Hugo Lloris saved a last-minute penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Tottenham avoided a third straight
Kane and Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal
Mark Goddard, Actor: Lost in Space. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts (July 24, 1936), the actor (real name: Charles Goddard) grew up in Scituate, Massachusetts, where his father owned a five-and-ten. At Holy Cross, the head of the dramatic society encouraged him to become an actor and, soon, Goddard was off to Manhattan, attending the American
List of spaceflight-related accidents and incidents - Wikipedia
Manchester City will assess injured duo Bernardo Silva and Oleksandr Zinchenko before Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace. City take on an Eagles side that beat them earlier in the
Man City news and transfers LIVE Pep Guardiola gives injury
Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up By Neil Robinson Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 27, 2019 West Hams Michail Antonio scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs LONDON (Reuters) -
Premier League: Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on December 16, 2018, with the headline 'Abramovich steps in amid racism outrage'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Outrage Over Racism Rekindled Amid Two Viral Videos | Newsmax.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment