Are Arab teams able to win the Asian Cup in Qatar?
Arab football experts consider that the chances of Arab teams in the Asian Nations Cup finals scheduled to be held in Qatar starting January 12 are declining, compared to other teams, especially Japan, South Korea, Australia, and even Iran. Because these teams are distinguished by the presence of professional stars on the European continent, which enhances their chances.
The experts indicated that despite the large number of Arab teams, which is considered the largest in any previous edition in the continental championships, the competition may be limited to two teams: the Saudi team and the Qatari team, the defending champions, despite the decline of “Al-Anabi” in the period that followed its victory in the continental title in the last edition, which Established in the Emirates.
Japan’s national team is the most prominent candidate to win the Asian Cup (Reuters)
For his part, Hussein Saeed, the former Iraqi star, said that holding the next Asian Championship in Qatar represents a great opportunity for the Arab teams to compete strongly to reach advanced stages by taking advantage of the weather and the supportive public presence, and also that the tournament has its new system and the mechanism for passing through the second round and playing knockout matches. Enhances opportunities for advancement.
He added, “There are Arab teams that have greater opportunities in terms of experience and capabilities, such as the Saudi and Qatari teams, but there are also teams that can have an influential presence, such as the Iraqi team, which won the last title of the Gulf Cup Championship, which was held in Basra in January of last year.”
Saeed, who previously headed the Football Association in his country, stated that the Iraqi national team includes a group of names that have developed and presented distinguished performances, including the player Ibrahim Bayesh, and this group can provide something that will please the Iraqis.
He stated that the Iraqi team that won the last Gulf Championship performed better than it was before. Because the coach worked on the players who are in European leagues, and they will be a strong support, he pointed out that the team that won the Gulf Championship cannot be considered in a great technical situation at that time, since there are teams such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar that participated in the last World Cup, and their first teams were absent from participating in Basra, referring to Until the holding of the last Gulf Championship in Iraq was a strong support from the Gulf brothers to restore life to Iraqi football and its stadiums, and this is what he personally sought several times when he was president of the Iraqi Federation.
South Korean star Son pins hopes on him to lead Samson to the Continental Cup (Reuters)
Regarding the chances of the teams in general and the competition for the title, he said: “Certainly the teams of Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia have strong chances through the experience they gained from international participation and the presence of their stars in major leagues, but it appears that the Japanese team is the most fortunate now that it is outperforming the teams. “A major European team, and the South Korean national team also has strong chances.”
He promised that playing matches in special stadiums and a World Cup atmosphere will have an impact on the teams appearing at their best levels, even if some stars from some teams are absent as a result of injuries or other things.
He described the competition in the upcoming Asian Cup as superior to competition and strength to reach the 2026 World Cup. Because there are “8” teams that will reach the World Cup, the competition for the continental title will be stronger.
Hamoud Sultan, the well-known Bahraini goalkeeper, said that the next continental championship will be difficult for all teams, even if there is superiority over the level of teams that have professional names on the European continent, where contact with big stars gives the players experience, and participation in major tournaments gives an advantage to these teams. The teams.
He added, “There are teams that have tournaments and rounds, led by Japan, South Korea, and Australia, in addition to the Iranian team. Although there has been a relative decline in these teams in the recent period, they still have strong chances, especially Japan and Australia.”
As for the level of Arab teams, it is certain that the Saudi team imposes its prestige, regardless of the names that were chosen by coach Mancini, as the exclusion of some names sparked controversy in the sports street, and the Qatari team cannot be excluded from the competition circle; Being the defending champion and the host, this may give it an advantage in public support, with elements that could make a difference in the tournament’s journey.
As for the other Gulf and Arab teams, there may be good progress for the Iraqi team, which has regained some of its luster in recent months, although it is difficult to talk about that it will be at the forefront of competitors, while teams such as Bahrain, the Emirates, and Oman may pass the first round and then face greater difficulties. In the playoffs.
Sultan returned to talking about the Saudi national team, indicating that he is a good follower of Saudi football, and believes that time is limited for the names to fit together. Pointing out that the Saudi national team, which played distinguished matches in the last World Cup, is losing influential names, including goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais and other names, stressing at the same time that the Asian teams that participated in the last World Cup remain the ones with greater chances to compete.
The former Bahraini goalkeeper and current analyst concluded his speech by stressing that the great coaches who lead some teams, including Mancini, can provide surprises through the technical approach that suits this type of tournament.
While Saad Al-Houti, the former Kuwaiti star, said that holding the continental championship in Qatar represents an opportunity for Arab teams to shine.
He added, “With regard to the fortunes of the Arab teams, it can be said that the Qatari team, the host and title holder, is in the competition by virtue of the ground and the audience, as the situation is different from what it was in the last Asian Championship in the Emirates. The Qatar national team was not a strong candidate, yet it defeated everyone and won the title, so it is not possible to make a hasty judgment on this team.”
He considered that the Saudi national team may be in a more difficult situation in terms of competition in light of the newness of coach Mancini and the loss of a number of prominent names who participated in the last World Cup, while some emerging players who benefited from contact with international stars present in the Saudi league could emerge.
Almoez Ali during the Qatari national team’s training (Qatar national team)
He added, “Gathering for a short period of time for the Saudi national team may weaken the quick harmony, but the existing names with experience can help the young people to offer something in the way of competition.”
Regarding his view of the competitors, he said: “I think that the Japanese team is a strong competitor, as is the South Korean team. Also, the Iranian team is strong but ambiguous. Sometimes its players are at the peak of their performance, and sometimes they decline, and the chances of the Australian team cannot be underestimated.”
As for the player Fawzi Bashir, the former Omani star, he stated that the Japanese and Iranian teams are the strongest candidates for the next continental title, while as for the Arab teams, hopes are limited to the Saudi and Qatari teams.
He added, “As for the Japanese and Iranian teams, they include prominent stars in Europe, and they are distinguished in many ways from the rest of the teams. As for the Saudi team, although it is full of young names, the contact of these names with distinguished and international stars present in the Saudi League developed their performance and raised their ambitions, with the presence of a great representative leader.” In Salem Al-Dosari, and a number of experienced names, the chances of the Saudi national team could rise further in the competition.”
Bashir, who previously had professional experience in Saudi stadiums with Al-Ettifaq Club, as well as in a number of Gulf clubs, stressed that the Asian Cup requires experience and the ability to deal with matches, and this is available in the Saudi national team as well as the Qatari national team, which holds the title of the last edition and is the owner of the land and the audience. Therefore, it is possible to bet on the two Gulf teams to reach the furthest point and fight the strongest candidates.
Regarding the chances of the rest of the teams, including his country, Oman, he said: “Certainly, the Omani team, which will open its campaign against the Saudi team, is capable of accompanying Al-Akhdar to the second round, without underestimating the strength of the Thai team, which is in the same group, but officials in the Omani Federation considered that the goal is “Crossing to the quarter-finals, round of 8, is realistic.”
He pointed out that the Iraqi team can also advance, but may not be able to reach the semi-finals, and the same is true for some of the participating Gulf teams.
He expected a number of players to stand out in the continental tournament, including Omani player Salah Al Yahyai, as Asian tournaments usually highlight stars.
2024-01-03 10:26:17
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