Meet the coaches

Doha: Australia clash with Iraq while Korea Republic take on Iran on Saturday in the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals. www.afcasiancup.com takes a look at the coaches ahead of the crucial contests.

Australia v Iraq

Holger Osieck

An AFC Champions League winner with Japan’s Urtawa Reds back in 2007, Germany’s Holger Osieck is no stranger to success within Asian football. Osieck worked as an assistant to Franz Beckenbauer in West Germany’s win at the 1990 FIFA World Cup and has tasted continental success himself as he guided Canada to the Gold Cup. Although he is still learning about the squad he inherited from Pim Verbeek, Osieck’s credentials speak for themselves.

Wolfgang Sidka

In six short months in charge of the Iraq national team, Wolfgang Sidka has worked tirelessly to further develop the national team, building on the squad that won the title back in 2007. After guiding the Iraqis to the semifinals of the West Asian Championships and the Persian Gulf Cup, he has now negotiated the group stages of the AFC Asian Cup and he will be hoping his players can repeat their win over the Australians from four years ago.

Korea Republic v Iran

Afshin Ghotbi

Perhaps Jordan’s Iraqi coach Adnan Hamed is the only coach from an opposing team who knows a squad other than his own better than Afshin Ghotbi will know the players his Iran side will face when they meet Korea Republic. Ghotbi previously worked in Korea as a video analyst during Guus Hiddink’s time in charge while he also was assistant coach to both Dick Advocaat and Pim Verbeek. Despite to leave Iran after the tournament to join Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse, Ghotbi is hoping to go out on a high.

Cho Kwang Rae

Cho Kwang Rae stepped in to fill the shoes left empty by the departure of FIFA World Cup 2010 coach Huh Jung Moo and the former Gyeongnam FC coach has made it his mission to not only improve the team’s style of play but to build towards the next finals of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014. He has started in impressive fashion, creating a team that plays dynamic and entertaining football and featuring a wonderful blend of youth and experience.