The latest edition of Asia's biggest international tournament takes place throughout January and February. This week, FOOTBALL NOW takes a look at the contenders.
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00:00 One of international football's biggest competitions is right around the corner.
00:05 Memories will be made in Qatar as the likes of Japan, Australia and South Korea return to the country
00:10 just 13 months after a successful World Cup campaign, whilst the hosts will be looking to retain the title.
00:17 So who will win the AFC Asian Cup?
00:25 Hello there and welcome to Football Now from London. This year's football calendar is starting with a bang
00:31 as teams from across Asia get ready for one of the most watched international events in the sport.
00:36 A little over one year after that incredible FIFA World Cup, Qatar will host the competition
00:41 which will see 24 teams go against each other in an aim to lift the continent's biggest prize, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
00:50 The Middle East, East Asia, South East Asia and South Asia are all represented this year.
00:55 Qatar will be confident of winning in Group A. Australia's toughest test is likely to be the well-supported India in Group B,
01:03 whilst the UAE under well-respected coach Paolo Bento could be the team to look out for in Group C.
01:08 Traditional football powerhouses such as Japan, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia often participate
01:15 along with emerging teams like Qatar who won the previous edition in 2019.
01:20 Anything less than three wins will be a surprise to the hugely impressive Japan in Group D,
01:25 although Iraq will arrive buoyed by their 2023 Gulf Cup victory.
01:30 Group E should be a procession too. Korea, led by Son Heung-min, will expect all nine points.
01:36 And Saudi Arabia's impressive World Cup showing is just one of a number of reasons as to why they are the ones to look out for in Group F.
01:43 Yes, I suppose the World Cup was an obstacle that came as a pressure to the champions of the Asian Cup.
01:48 And I think now that it's the tournament where they're going to be playing and defending their crown,
01:53 I'm pretty sure the confidence will be high. The form has been pretty good leading up to the tournament.
01:57 Yes, we have got a new coach. We'll get the best out of this team and hopefully we'll be one of the ones to defend the title.
02:03 Saudi will be an interesting team to watch. The hype they created last tournament at the World Cup here beating Argentina.
02:09 The only team to beat the world champion. That's a good record at the tournament.
02:13 And we have to see how they perform at the Asian Cup as well, having a good role of club transfer happening at the local league as well.
02:20 Roberto Mancini, another renowned coach taking over. It's going to be a fun tournament and it's going to be brilliant to see the different scenarios take up during this tournament.
02:28 Well, the hosts have fond memories of this tournament, having hosted it back in 1988 and 2011.
02:34 They even won the trophy back in 2019. Their main man, Almwes Ali, was named player of the tournament back then.
02:41 But which stars could light up the competition this time around?
02:44 Of course, I mean, we have a lot of star players in Asia now that play in top teams across Europe.
02:49 And you have to mention the big names, of course. Off the bat, you're talking about players like Japan's Kubo, Karumi Toma.
02:54 You're talking about, of course, Sun. You're talking about Lee Kang-in, who's a great new addition for the team.
02:59 Cho Gu-sung, a Korea striker who's been in top form in Denmark lately. Then you talk about players like Mehdi Tarmi from Iran.
03:06 And there are other teams also that have had some impressive players, like for example, Supanat Munta.
03:12 He's been great for Thailand. Brilliant young player who's just got his chance in Europe.
03:17 And then you have also players who play domestically, like in Iraq, you have Jasom Ali, who I think is just a talent, a generational talent for Iraq, actually.
03:26 And I look forward to him being discovered through the Asian Cup, maybe by big teams, because brilliant, brilliant young player.
03:32 Yeah, some really interesting names to look out for there. But what about the teams themselves?
03:37 Well, Japan have won the trophy more times than any other side, taking the prize back to East Asia on four occasions between 1992 and 2011.
03:46 Meanwhile, Iran and Saudi Arabia have been victorious three times each.
03:50 So could we see the usual suspects battling it out once again, or could there even be a new name on the trophy?
03:56 The Asian Cup is a competition that's always full of surprises and you never know what is going to happen until that game starts and you see how the teams perform on the pitch.
04:05 UAE have been on an improvement curve ever since Paulo Bento took over and I think they'd be great contenders for the title.
04:12 And then, of course, from the East, you have teams like Japan, Korea.
04:16 Then you have teams that also will pose a challenge. I'm thinking Thailand, Iraq, Iran, as always.
04:22 So, yeah, so there are these top teams that always are gunning for the title.
04:26 But it's not just on the pitch where the anticipation for the tournament is ramping up, too.
04:30 The Asian Cup was officially launched in Doha back in December with a spectacular event held in the city.
04:36 As well as the trophy being on display and cultural performances from some countries being represented, the official mascots were unveiled.
04:44 It was an event attended by football fans of all ages, with Qatar reigning to emphasise a family feel at a major tournament once again.
04:52 We're proud of our environment and these animals in our environment, he's very fast and it's great to be as a player.
05:00 And we get them like a family, because the family is very important for us, for our community, for Asia.
05:08 Family is the most important to make superheroes, to make the children become united.
05:18 So, family is number one. So this is the first message that I want to do with.
05:24 We are all family, all of us, we are the same and we are united in the football.
05:31 So we need to encourage people, families to come to the match to see, to enjoy as a mascot team.
05:39 We've got a brilliant month of football ahead in Qatar. We've run out of time this week.
05:43 Do let us know who you think will win the competition using the hashtag #FootballNowAsianCup.
05:48 Until next time, it's goodbye from me here in London and the team in Doha. Bye for now.
05:53 [Music]