With the showpiece of Asian football kicking off in Australia on Friday, our reporter Matt Monaghan guides us through the teams competing in Groups A and B.
– 2015 AFC Asian Cup Group C & D: Team-by-team guide
GROUP A
AUSTRALIA
Best finish: Runnersup (2011)
Star player: Mile Jedinak
One to watch: Tommy Oar
Strengths: As hosts, can count on fevered support. Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill provide huge experience.
Weaknesses: Next generation has failed to fill boots of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka etc. Can struggle badly for goals.
Verdict: Capable of going all the way. Kind draw makes run to the final very possible.
SOUTH KOREA
Coach: Uli Stielike
Best finish: Champions (1956, 1960)
Star player: Son Heung-min
One to watch: Nam Tae-hee
Strengths: Firmly established as one of Asia’s powerhouses. Young squad possesses experience of many top leagues.
Weaknesses: The Taegeuk Warriors were dreadful at the recent World Cup. Confidence could be a problem.
Verdict: Will progress through group but struggle to impose themselves against the best.
OMAN
Coach: Paul Le Guen
Best finish: Group stage (2004, 2007)
Star player: Ali Al Habsi
One to watch: Raed Saleh
Strengths: Have worked for three years under Le Guen. Are on upwards curve, finishing fourth in November’s Gulf Cup.
Weaknesses: Real lack of genuine quality in squad. Star striker Amad Al Hosni has only recently returned from injury.
Verdict: Will need an upset to get through group. South Korea clash is vital to their hopes.
KUWAIT
Coach: Nabil Maaloul
Best finish: Champions (1980)
Star player: Aziz Mashaan
One to watch: Yousef Nasser
Strengths: Al Wahda’s Hussain Fadel is a rock at the back, while they possess decent attacking options
Weaknesses: The new coach has had very little time to work with his troops.
Verdict: This is a new dawn for Al Azraq under Maaloul. Look weakest team in group, will struggle to progess.
GROUP B
NORTH KOREA
Coach: Jo Tong-sop
Best finish: Fourth place (1980)
Star player: Jong Tae-Se
One to watch: Pak Kwang-Ryong
Strengths: Squad is slowly broadening horizons, with players plying trade in Switzerland, South Korea and Japan.
Weaknesses: Have lost four of last five meetings with Asian heavyweights. Lack of inspirational figures on roster.
Verdict: Will need to be at best to make knockout stage. Not beyond their capabilities to do so.
UZBEKISTAN
Coach: Mirjalol Qosimov
Best finish: Fourth place (2011)
Star player: Server Djeparov
One to watch: Igor Sergeev
Strengths: Well-organised team on the rise. Came so close to World Cup qualification.
Weaknesses: This could be the last stand for a number of key players. Could be perfect time to play or a tournament too far.
Verdict: More than capable of progressing deep into competition. Potential quarter-final with South Korea is mouthwatering.
CHINA
Coach: Alain Perrin
Best finish: Runners-up (1984, 2004)
Star player: Zheng Zhi
One to watch: Liao Lisheng
Strengths: Core of Guangzhou Evergrande players provide solid spine. Captain Zhi still an inspiration, while Marcello Lippifavourite Zhang Linpeng is a rock.
Weaknesses: Dearth of goals in squad. Have faltered regularly on international stage in recent years.
Verdict: Are a powerhouse waiting to happen but seems time is still to come. Will compete with Uzbeks and Saudis to progress from group.
SAUDI ARABIA
Coach: Cosmin Olaroiu
Best finish: Champions (1984, 1988, 1996)
Star player: Nasser Al Shamrani
One to watch: Salem Al Dawsari
Strengths: Boast Asia’s finest player in Al Shamrani. Huge untapped talent in squad.
Weaknesses: Warm-up results under temporary boss Olaroiu have been disastrous. Volatile squad never too far from imploding.
Verdict: It is so difficult to predict what the Falcons will do. Have talent to win whole thing, but too often struggle to put it all together.