Asian Cup - Group Preview - Friendlies, Information and more..

[Javeed]

AFC Piala Asia 2015 akan berlangsung di Australia bermula pada 9 hingga 31 Januari 2015 akan datang. 16 pasukan terbaik Asia akan bersaing merebut kejuaraan edisi ke-16 ini. Pasukan Jepun selaku juara bertahan pastinya akan sekali lagi berusaha mempertahankan kejuaraan yang mereka miliki sambil 15 pasukan lain pastinya turut mengimpikan kejayaan merangkul kejuaraan AFC Piala Asia 2015 ini. Pasukan juara akan mewakili benua Asia atau zon AFC ke kejohanan Piala Konfederasi FIFA 2017 di Russia.

16 pasukan yang bersaing mempunya nama gelaran pasukan masing-masing melambangkan identiti pasukan negara masing-masing. Nama gelaran ini sedikit sebanyak menaikkan semangat pasukan masing-masing bagi memberikan saingan terbaik dalam kejohanan ini. Berikut adalah nama gelaran 16 pasukan AFC Piala Asia 2015 akan datang :

[Translation]
AFC Asian Cup 2015 will be held in Australia from 9 to 31 January 2015 will come. Asia 16 best teams will compete for the title of this 16th edition. Japanese troops defending champions certainly will once again try to defend the title they have while 15 other teams certainly also dreamed about winning the title this 2015 AFC Asian Cup. Champion team will represent the AFC Asian continent or zone to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Russia.

16 teams competing teams have nicknames, each representing the identity of each national team. Name this title a bit of uplifting their teams to provide the best compete in this tournament. Here is the nickname for the 16 teams of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 will come:

http://blogbualsukan.blogspot.ca/201....html?spref=tw

[Javeed]

Kejohanan bola sepak berprestij negara-negara Asia di bawah AFC, Piala Asia akan berlangsung di Australia bermula pada 9 hingga 31 Januari 2015 akan datang. Kejohanan ini merupakan kejohanan edisi ke 16 setelah ianya diperkenalkan pada tahun 1956. Kejohanan edisi 4 tahun sekali ini menjadi medan kepada negara-negara rantau Asia mempamerkan permainan terbaik seterusnya muncul juara dan ditabalkan sebagai raja bola sepak Asia.

Berdasarkan 15 edisi yang lalu, pasukan Jepun atau The Samurai Blue merupakan pasukan yang paling berjaya apabila muncul juara sebanyak 4 kali diikuti oleh Arab Saudi dan Iran masing-masing sebanyak 3 kali, Korea Selatan 2 kali manakala Israel, Kuwait dan Iraq berjaya muncul juara sebanyak sekali. Kejohanan Piala Asia 2015 ini pastinya sengit dengan setiap pasukan pastinya berusaha dan mempamerkan aksi terbaik untuk menewaskan lawan masing-masing sekaligus merebut kejuaraan berpresti tahun ini. Pasukan yang muncul juara akan mewakili AFC ke saingan Piala Konfederasi FIFA di Russia pada tahun 2017 akan datang.

Berikut adalah senarai juara Kejohanan Bola Sepak Piala Asia 1956 - 2011 :

[Translation]
Prestigious football tournament Asian countries under AFC Asian Cup will be held in Australia from 9 to 31 January 2015 will come. This tournament is the 16th edition of the tournament after it was introduced in 1956. The fourth edition of the Championships this year once the platform for the Asian region countries showcasing the next best game winner and crowned as the king of Asian football.

Based on the last 15 editions, Japanese troops or The Samurai Blue is the most successful team emerged champion 4 times, followed by Saudi Arabia and Iran respectively 3 times, 2 times, while South Korea Israel, Kuwait and Iraq emerged triumphant by once. 2015 Asian Cup tournament is certainly fierce with each team definitely try and showcase the best action to beat their opponents at once grab berpresti championship this year. The team that will represent the AFC champion to compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017 Russia will come.

Here is the list of champions Football Championship Asian Cup 1956 - 2011:

http://blogbualsukan.blogspot.ca/201....html?spref=tw

[aenima_8]

"Asian Cup Group C Preview: Iran the team to beat
By Sacha Pisani

World Cup participants Iran are the drawcard of what is set to be an evenly contested group at the 16th Asian Cup in Australia.

Iran - Australia's arch-nemesis after cruelly preventing the Aussies from qualifying for the 1998 World Cup on away goals in Melbourne - will be led by Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz once again as Team Melli continue in their efforts to reclaim the mantel as Asian's leading football nation.

The three-time Asian Cup champions must first get past Gulf Cup winners Qatar, emerging nation United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

The favourites - Iran, Qatar
Though Iran did not make it out of their group at the World Cup in Brazil, Quieroz's men were more than a match for their opponents on the South American continent.

After playing out a goalless draw with Nigeria in their group opener, Argentina captain Lionel Messi struck a 91st-minute injury-time winner to break the hearts of Iran, who went on to lose 3-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final match.

Iran - ranked 51st in the FIFA rankings - have only managed to play one game since the World Cup, defeating South Korea 1-0 in an international friendly in November. A friendly scheduled for December 28 against Palestine was cancelled due to "technical" problems.

Despite the lack of preparation and the sudden departure of assistant coach Ali Karimi, Iran are determined to relive the glory days of the 60s and 70s, which saw them win three consecutive Asian Cup titles between 1968-1976.

Qatar arrive Down Under in red-hot form after overcoming Saudi Arabia 2-1 to clinch the Gulf Cup title in November.

Goals from Al Mahdi Ali and Khoukhi Boualem at King Fahd Stadium saw Qatar win the tournament for the third time, providing the perfect springboard for a serious assault at the Asian Cup.

Prior to that run in the Gulf Cup, Djamel Belmadi's Qatar - ranked 95th - had won four successive games, including a shock 1-0 victory over Asian Cup hosts Australia in October.

The outsiders - United Arab Emirates, Bahrain
Once the whipping boys of Asian football, United Arab Emirates - led by Mahdi Ali - are slowly emerging as a threat to many teams.

A goalless draw at home to Australia in October inspired a spirited run at the Gulf Cup, where they made it to the semi-finals, eliminated by Saudi Arabia.

Their improvement on the pitch is reflected in the FIFA rankings, with the UAE 85th in the world.

Bahrain have barely made an impact at the Asian Cup, having only made it past the group stage in 2004, when they finished fourth.

They were, however, a tricky opponent throughout World Cup qualifying as they fell a mere point shy of the fourth round.

Star Player - Omar Abdulrahman
He may not be playing for Iran or Qatar, but UAE midfielder Omar Abdulrahman is expected to set the Asian Cup alight in 2015. At 23 years of age and 26 internationals caps to his name, Abdulrahman has already trialled at Premier League giants Manchester City and resisted the glitz and glamour of Europe to remain with Al Ain in his homeland. Some of Europe's elite continue to monitor the little afro-wielding magician, and a stellar showing at the Asian Cup could finally see him make the leap.

Crunch match - Qatar v Iran
The clash between Qatar and Iran in Sydney on January 15 could well decide top spot in Group C. Winning the group could well prove pivotal to the pair's cup hopes, with defending champions Japan expected to dominate in Group D ahead of Jordan, Iraq and Palestine."

http://www.sportal.com.au/football/n...j12vbp8l1d3x56

[aenima_8]

"Transition complicates Bahrain's knockout prospects

Thanks to a tough group, a dip in form and the struggle to settle under their third coach in five months, Bahrain's prospects of advancing to the Asian Cup knockout stage appear similar to that of rainfall in the Gulf country -- minimal.

Bahrain dominated their qualifying group to secure a fourth consecutive AFC Asian Cup finals appearance with two games to spare before the wheels came off.

It started with Englishman Anthony Hudson's shock exit to take over as the New Zealand head coach, which led to 2004 AFC Coach of the Year Adnan Hamad's appointment on a two-year term that was cut short in November after Bahrain's dismal start to the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations campaign.

Hamad's deputy Marjan Eid took charge of the team who played out a goalless draw with Qatar to finish bottom of their group.

Bahrain, who made their Asian Cup finals debut in 1988 and registered their best finish in 2004 when they finished fourth, are eying a place in the knockout stage for only the second time but that would require something special from 'The Red'.

Snatching a point from Asian heavyweights Iran in their Jan. 11 Group C opener in Melbourne would be a good start for the 122nd ranked Bahrain, who subsequently lock horns with Gulf Cup of Nations champions Qatar and dark horse the United Arab Emirates.

"The Iran national team is the strongest team in the group," Bahrain Football Association president Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa Sheikh Ali said recently.

"We'll try to get at least a point out of this game, it's quite important and, normally, the first games in all the tournaments are important," Fairfax Media quoted the member of Bahrain's royal family as saying.

Bahrain will rely on the experience of captain Mohammad Salmeen, a member of their 2004 squad, and forward Ismail Abdul-Latif who will be making his third successive Asian Cup finals appearance.

Eid has also brought back star midfielder Faouzi Aaish, who was excluded by Adnan for disciplinary reasons.

Bahrain also boast of a sturdy defence, having conceded only one goal in six qualifying matches.

"Ranking wise, we are the least of the group," Sheikh Ali added.

"That doesn't mean anything in football... football is all about effort and hard work and the team has done that.""

http://www.eurosport.com/football/tr...08/story.shtml

[Rooyintan]

Bahrain emphasises importance of Asian Cup friendly
By Melanie Whelan
Jan. 2, 2015, 6 p.m.

BAHRAIN'S battle in Ballarat with Jordan will be pivotal in setting the tone for their AFC Asian Cup campaign.

The friendly on Sunday night is Bahrain's final football hit-out before their Cup opener against Iran on January 11.

Bahrain Soccer Association's technical director Hafedh Al Dosari said the match result in Ballarat was important, but most crucial was that the team played well at Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility.

"All games now are important," Al Dosari said.

"We have prepared our team and the new head coach is looking to try new players, new combinations and it is a chance for others.

"I'm sure all players will be ready."

Bahrain made a big statement in Geelong on Tuesday night with a 4-1 win against neighbouring rival Saudi Arabia - a nation that convincingly beat Bahrain in Gulf Cup preliminary matches in November.

Jordan, another neighbour nation, will be out to improve on a 1-0 loss to United Arab Emirates from Tuesday on the Gold Coast - a match of particular interest to Bahrain, which will play in the same Asian Cup pool as the UAE.

This will be the first international soccer match in Ballarat.
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Gates are open to the public and entry is free in a rare chance for soccer and general sporting fans to watch international teams fine-tune preparations for major competition.

The Asian Cup is the football pinnacle for Bahrain, which is yet to qualify for a World Cup.

Bahrain has been based in Creswick and training daily at Ballarat's Morshead Park since arriving in Australia on Sunday.

The Bahraini players will remain training in Ballarat until Wednesday when they will move to Melbourne ahead of their Cup opener at AAMI Park.

"It's good to have time to spend here with good people and training on a good field," Al Dosari said.

"Ballarat and this field have been of a lot of benefit to us...we feel all (of Ballarat) is with us. We feel the love everywhere we go."

Bahrain has followed a strict training regime across the New Year period and relished a training session in warmer conditions late Friday morning.

Kick-off against Jordan at Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility is at 7.30pm on Sunday night.

BAHRAIN PLAYER LIST

1 Saied Mohammed Jaffer - goalkeeper

2 Mohammed Hussain (c) - defender

3 Waleed Al Hayam - defender

4 Saied Diyah Saied - midfielder

5 Abdulla Shalal - defender

6 Abdulla Abdo Omar - midfielder

7 Abdulawahab Ali - midfielder

8 Saied Ahmed Jaffer - midfielder

9 Abdulwahab Al Malood - midfielder

10 Mohammed Al Tayeb - forward

11 Ismail Abdulatif Ismail - forward

12 Fawzi Mubarak - midfielder

13 Abdulla Hazza - defender

14 Jessy Jhon - forward

15 Abdulla Omar Abdulla - forward

16 Abdulla Yousif - forward

17 Hussain Ali Baba - defender

18 Mohammed Duij - defender

19 Faisal Budahoom - midfielder

20 Sami Al Hussaini - forward

21 Hamad Al Dooseri - goalkeeper

22 Ashraf Waheed - goalkeeper

23 Rashid Khalil Al Hooti defender

COACHING STAFF

Morjan Eid Morjan - head coach

Isa Al Sadoon - assistant coach

Abdulla Billal - goalkeeping coach

Jose Carlos Ferreira - fitness coach

http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2...hotos/?cs=3743

[GoIran]

China 4-1 Oman

[Taz]

China definitely look the best of the dark-horses (sides excluding Japan, Australia, Iran and South Korea) for the tournament. I can see them doing well.

[littlepersia17]

Asian Cup - Group Preview - Friendlies, Information and more..

Then again China left things really late to qualify for this Asian cup.

[Taz]

Record prize money awarded by the AFC this year.

1st $5m
2nd $3m
3rd $2m

[aenima_8]

"Asian Cup preview: five star players and five must-see games

Ashkan Dejagah (Iran)
January 2015 - Iran v United Arab Emirates, Brisbane Stadium (Suncorp)http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/a...03-12hdtu.html

[Kiarash]

China definitely look the best of the dark-horses (sides excluding Japan, Australia, Iran and South Korea) for the tournament. I can see them doing well.

They lost 4-1 to Oman, definitely not a sign of dark horses but it was a friendly so let's see how they do in their group.

[Bi-honar]

China 4-1 Oman

Man, these friendlies are all over the place. Qatar barely managed to tie Oman and now China beat them 4-1! Apparently, they Omanis were missing a few key players to injuries, but still these are serious swings in results.

BTW, if the article I read was correct, China are unbeaten in 10 games!!!

[K. Nader]

Man, these friendlies are all over the place. Qatar barely managed to tie Oman and now China beat them 4-1! Apparently, they Omanis were missing a few key players to injuries, but still these are serious swings in results.

BTW, if the article I read was correct, China are unbeaten in 10 games!!!

[Bi-honar]

BTW, earlier today UAE's final friendly against Kuwait was cancelled at the last second (right before kick-off) in a disagreement with the Kuwaiti Federation on whether the game should be filmed/taped.

The game was to be played behind closed doors, but apparently Kuwait wanted to tape the match and UAE disagreed, leading to the cancellation of the game.

UAE had won their last two friendlies against Jordan and Oman with a score of 1-0 and lost to Saudi Arabia 3-2 in their final competitive match in the Gulf Cup.

[aenima_8]

^^^ thats hilarious. Apparently after Kuwait walked off the field they went to the stadiums indoor training facility to conduct warm ups and the stadium management called the police who threatened them with arrest if they did not leave lol

here is the link: http://gulfnews.com/sport/uae/kuwait...m-up-1.1435593