05/01/2024【Feature】Hisato Sato ASC group analysis

Hisato Sato – ASC

Hisato Sato played 31 games and scored 4 goals for Japan from 2006 to 2010, and has completed at 2007 Asian Cup. Also, he won JD1 with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2012, 2013, 2015 and JD2 in 2008.

Qatar and China in line to progress from Group A, Tajikistan to impress on debut

As hosts, Qatar have had plenty of time to prepare on the ground for this competition, and with Group A looking fairly straightforward for them I expect the reigning champions to finish in first place.
Qatar struggled as hosts at the World Cup in 2022 but the level is obviously higher at that competition, and I think they will have more opportunity to control games here. As hosts, I hope they can do well and make it to the latter stages in order to add to the overall excitement.
China are going through something of a generational change at the moment and have had some tough times of late, but I still think they will have enough quality to make sure they take the second qualification spot.
Wu Lei is still China’s star man, not just for his intelligent running in behind, chance-making ability, and goal-scoring prowess, but his all-round play is at a very high level and so important to the team.
The four best third-place finishers will also progress to the knockout round at the Asian Cup, and I think Tajikistan will finish in that berth in this group on their debut in the tournament, although they will face a challenge from Lebanon.
Looking at the fixtures now I feel like the game between China and Tajikistan will be most crucial in this group, with the outcome of that game sure to have a big bearing on the final standings.

Australia and Uzbekistan the standout sides in Group B

Australia were one of the Asian teams to enjoy relative success at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, and with a new generation emerging and Graham Arnold still in charge I expect them to do well again here and finish top of Group B.
Compared to previous generations this Australia side is built more upon great teamwork and togetherness rather than individual star talent, and if they progress smoothly here they could end up on the same side of the draw as Saudi Arabia, which would be a terrific spectacle in the latter stages of the competition.
An Australian player is also the one I’m most excited about watching here, and I’m sure Japan-based Mitchell Duke’s hard work and aggression in front of goal will drive the team on going forward.
Uzbekistan won’t be far behind and also have a lot of promising young players coming through, and with their ability to build good attacking momentum when in possession I’d say second place is theirs for the taking.
That leaves Syria and India to battle it out for third place and possible progression to the knockout round, and I feel that Syria will just about have the edge there.
Indeed, Australia versus Uzbekistan is my pick of the games in this group as it should decide who finishes first - although personally I feel it could be better to come second when considering the possible quarter-final opponents each team could go on to face.

Iran and UAE Group C favourites, Palestine to challenge

Iran struggled and lacked a little cohesion at the last World Cup, but they have a wealth of talent in attacking positions which should enable them to push ahead in this group and seal top spot.
For me the standout player in Group C is Sardar Azmoun, and I expect the Roma striker to cause opponents plenty of problems and be key to Iran’s chances of success. The fact that several Iranian players now play in Europe is contributing to their individual development and that of the team as a whole, but whether they are able to come together as one for the whole tournament will be key to their chances.
UAE come into this competition under another new manager in Paulo Bento, who impressed by taking Korea Republic to the last 16 at the previous World Cup. I expect him to have them well organised and building attacks with prolonged spells of possession. UAE have been in poor form for a few years and it remains to be seen if they can show their quality consistently, but in the group stage they should be able to control the flow of most games so I expect them to finish second.
Palestine have never made it beyond the group stage at the Asian Cup but will come into this year’s competition with plenty of motivation, and I think they’ll come third and have a chance of making it to the Round of 16, while it’s going to be a tough group for Hong Kong.

Japan and Iraq the favourites to progress from Group D

Although there are concerns over the fitness of some Japan players with European league commitments until just before the Asian Cup kicks off, bearing in mind the quality and strength in depth of the team I still expect them to come top of Group D.
2023 has been a great year for Japan to brush up their quality under Hajime Moriyasu. The team, which is being called the strongest in the nation’s history after an impressive showing at the 2022 World Cup, has improved in several areas and I’m sure they have a great chance of glory here.
Kaoru Mitoma is an injury doubt for Japan, but Junya Ito is more than capable of covering on the left flank with Takefusa Kubo playing on the right. Japan have a lot of options in the squad though, and there is also the possibility that they could play without wingers.
Iraq recently beat both Indonesia and Vietnam in World Cup qualifying, and the fact they don’t play Japan first should help them build some early momentum to make sure of second place.
Behind this pair I anticipate Vietnam finishing third, with the winner of their matchday 2 game against Indonesia almost certain to claim the possible place in the Round of 16.
While Vietnam versus Indonesia could be the most important game in terms of determining qualification, the match I’m most looking forward to is the other fixture on matchday 2 between Iraq and Japan.

Korea Republic to be joined by Malaysia in progression from Group E

I would say that Korea Republic come into this tournament as one of the two strongest teams along with Japan, and Jurgen Klinsmann’s side have quality in defence and attack as well as a plenty of goalscoring threat so should finish top of Group E.
Korea Republic have the likes of Kim Min Jae, Song Heung Min and Lee Kang In playing at big European teams right now, but while they are all terrific players I feel like when looking at the squads as a whole Japan currently have slightly more strength in depth and are just about the strongest team in Asia at the moment.
Aside from the stars Korea will be bringing with them I am really looking forward to seeing Malaysia’s Arif Aiman in action in Qatar, and he has great speed and technique which he has been showcasing in the Asian Champions League.
In terms of who will come second, I feel like this is the toughest group to call. Any of the other three sides could finish as runners-up, but I think Malaysia may well have the best balance between defence and attack which could give them the edge.
With that in mind, I feel like the clash between Bahrain and Malaysia will be crucial to determining the final rankings in the group, with Bahrain likely having to settle for third place and hoping they get enough points to progress to the Round of 16, although Jordan could also be tricky opponents.

Saudi Arabia to win Group F with Thailand finishing as runners-up

The domestic league in Saudi Arabia has been receiving huge attention lately, and that increased interest should help to improve the national team as well. The Green Falcons also have a star who made an impression at the last World Cup in Salem Al-Dawsari, and I’m sure his goalscoring ability will help them claim first place in Group F.
There is a lot of attention on Saudi Arabia at the moment and they have a big-name coach in Roberto Mancini, but I’m sure his ability and that of his players means they will be able to meet expectations at this competition.
In terms of individual players I’m looking forward to watching, I have to go with Thailand's Supachok Sarachat, who has shone in Japan in recent years, but their star man Chanathip Songkrasin – who also previously starred in JD1 – will be a big miss through injury.
Thailand is another team blessed with plenty of technical skill, and while I think they should have enough to seal second place I do wonder if they lack the ability of Kyrgyzstan and Oman to keep hold of the ball.
If Thailand do manage to finish as runners-up then I think Kyrgyzstan will claim third place and possible progression to the Round of 16.
With every game sure to be closely contested and goal difference possibly becoming a factor, I’m most excited about the contest between Saudi Arabia and Thailand, the result of which could have a huge bearing on the final standings.

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