Iran’s modern history at the Asian Cup is one of torment and agony because every four years the side and the nation are consumed by the same single question: can Team Melli for the first time since 1976 win the coveted prize to fulfil their potential and satisfy their demanding fanbase?
Iraq shocked the world in 2007 by winning the Asian Cup and ever since the Lions of Mesopotamia have reached the knockout stages of the tournament, including a run to the semi-finals.
With their credentials, players and pedigree, Japan must be considered the sky-high favourites to win their fifth Asian Cup – and not just on account of their outstanding showing at the last World Cup, but because of their tournament record, quality across the squad, and a coach who oozes confidence.
Kyrgyzstan Republic qualified for the Asian Cup in the third round of qualification, thanks to an unbeaten record in Group F achieved by securing back-to-back wins over Singapore and Myanmar before being held to a draw by group winners Tajikistan.
What to expect
Last time out in 2019, Kyrgyzstan Republic reached the round of 16 after a third-placed finish in Group C, ahead of being dumped out the competition by hosts UAE in a five-goal thriller that went the way of the eventual semi-finalists.
Lebanon open the 2023 Asian Cup against hosts Qatar in the Lusail Stadium on January 12.
Ranked 74th in the world this is the Omanis fifth appearance at the Asian Cup finals, with their best performance coing in 2019 when the reached the last 16 in 2019 as one of third best group nations. They were knocked by Iran, losing 2-0.
Lacking in Asian Cup finals pedigree but eager to break out of the group stage for the first time in their history, Malaysia travel to Qatar with a squad filled with youthful inexperience and exciting talent in equal measure.
On their third appearance in the finals, Palestine want to clinch a first-ever ticket to the knockout stages of the Asian Cup and under Tunisian coach Makram Daboub the team has been playing well, often under difficult circumstances.
Qatar have endured a difficult 14 months, with their World Cup adventure on home soil turning into the worst performance by a host nation ever and their subsequent gamble on appointing the experienced Carlos Queiroz as coach not working out.
Saudi Arabia last won the Asian Cup in 1996 on home soil and it will be something of a surprise if they repeat the feat in Doha, the venue for their historic 2-1 win against Argentina at the World Cup.
It takes supporters of a distinguished age to recall when South Korea last won the continental title – John F Kennedy was still alive and The Beatles were a new band – but the Taegeuk Warriors want to claim a third title and banish the notion that they are perennial underachievers.
This will be the seventh time Syria have qualified for the Asian Cup. They have never made it out the group stages.
Stumbling at the first hurdle, Thailand qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup by way of third round qualification. The Qatar finals mark the country’s eighth run in the competition, headlined by a third-placed finish in their nation’s Asian Cup debut in 1972.
The United Arab Emirates have reached the semi-finals of the Asian Cup on the last two occasions and yet despite those results the Whites have never truly been considered a part of Asia’s elite.
