Asian Cup 2019 (Preview)

The 18th AFC Asian Cup gets underway on the 5th January in Abu Dhabi, bringing to close an historic four-year cycle for the confederation. The new qualifying format was proven to be a unanimous success, with great strides being achieved at all levels of the international game, most pertinently highlighted by AFC’s record-breaking effort over the summer at the World Cup. The expansion of the continental tournament to 24 teams has its drawbacks, yet we’re still likely to see the most competitive finals competition to date.

We’re regularly reminded of the ills and deficiencies of Asian football, but the revamped qualification phase that came into place over the last four years has been largely an unheralded success. Developing nations were scheduled with proper competitive football to last the duration of the cycle, opposed to small doses of quick fire shootout competition. Instead of grouping minnows together, the two-round group stage split allowed for nations to compete with the elite, whilst offering more realistic preparation to follow.

While some may have expressed concerns over what impact this elongated process would have had on the top tier of Asian football, the World Cup in Russia proved testament that the quality has only seen an improvement over the cycle. Given where we were in 2014, the strides made towards 2018, and looking forward to an Asia hosted World Cup in 2022, the qualification revamp proved more than beneficial.

Heading into January’s Asian Cup should, in theory be considered the closing ceremony of the cycle, yet we’ll likely see a number of sides in transition, some only at the start of their progress towards the next World Cup challenge. The likes of Japan, Australia and South Korea have all appointed new coaches since their showing over the summer, while Uzbekistan, Qatar and Iraq have all expressed their long-term ambitions over an advanced run at the Asian Cup, after poor qualification showings.

Given the way the Asian calendar falls, the Asian Cup is slowly being pushed off the agenda. The Asian Cup is being treated by some as the starting point of World Cup preparation rather than the pinnacle of continental football. The AFC haven’t necessarily helped with this; marketing of the event has been slow on the uptake and the timing regularly draws criticisms. In such a vast and varied continent however, the balance is always going to be difficult to find.

With it comes change; not only a new ball (Molten?) or a new trophy (I know...), but an increase number of participants, from 16 to 24. While the technical quality has increased over the last the last four years, the gap between the elite and the rest continues to widen, which could render many group stage matches irrelevant. As has been seen at regular U20 World Cups and at Euro 2016, an expansion to 24 also opens the back door to failure via the third-place lottery, which is neither clear enough to be useful to spectators or makes for an even comparison.

A less than competitive opening, which alludes to less shocks than normal, has already seen the likes of South Korea willingly sacrifice the inclusion of star striker Son Heung-min, while others look to rest injured or tired options until after the first phase. Already placed in a difficult window for European domestic leagues, the extra fixture pileup, can’t have eased the friction between clubs and countries.

We’ll also have VAR (from the quarter-finals onwards) to tackle, a system that despite a reportedly solid World Cup appearance (which I personally question), has been hit by controversy after controversy in Asian domestic football. Ask any Australian, Chinese or Saudi domestic football fan whether they’re looking forward to seeing it being introduced in the UAE, and I’d guess the response wouldn’t be so warm. The prospect of an entertaining, yet hot tempered matchup, akin to that of Iran v Iraq in 2015, may be slightly tarnished with such an introduction.

Links to Previews

Group A - UAE (Hosts), Thailand, India & Bahrain

Group B - Australia, Syria, Palestine & Jordan

Group C - South Korea, China, Philippines & Kyrgyzstan

Group D - Iran, Iraq, Vietnam & Yemen

Group E - Saudi Arabia, Qatar, North Korea & Lebanon

Group F - Japan, Uzbekistan, Oman & Turkmenistan

Bringing it back round to the football, the best team over the last four years Iran start as sizeable favourites to win their first continental prize since the 1970s. Their showing in Russia was arguably their nation’s greatest footballing performance on the world stage, with an array of talent at their disposal and Carlos Queiroz in the dugout, they look well placed to live up to the expectations.

The usual candidates are their greatest opposition. On the back of making it to the World Cup knockout stages, a reinvigorated and fresh-looking Japan under new coach Hajme Moriyasu look to have the raw enthusiasm to blaze through the tournament, while Australia, despite now being under Graham Arnold can call upon a similar personnel selection that sealed the title four years ago.

South Korea come into it in the greatest form, having tested themselves against the very best in Asia on foreign soil. Another new coach Paulo Bento hasn’t tinkered as much as others and has the luxury of relying on the best player in Asia within his ranks, and arguably the only centre forward in consistent form amongst the big four.

On the fringes, the emergence of Team-2022 for Qatar, makes Felix Sanchez’s young guns a team everyone wants to see tested at competitive level, while eternal bridesmaids Uzbekistan, under Hector Cuper also provide an appetising side show in transition. Given the expansion, the likes of Yemen, Kyrgyzstan and Philippines make their tournament debuts, while Lebanon and Turkmenistan qualify only for their second appearances.

Ahead of the tournament, I’ve profiled each competing nation in some detail, to establish what this competition means to them, both in their footballing development sense and in their individual coach’s ideology, and which players we could be singing the praises of come the grand final in February. Hopefully you’ll find them enjoyable and informative on the run up to the tournament.

With no further ado, utilising the official team bus slogans;

“One Team, One Nation” (Syria), “One Heartbeat” (Iran), with a “Never Say Never” (Bahrain) attitude. Will “Respect All”, but “Fear None” (Japan) and “Never Give Up” (Yemen), to prove their “Time is Now” (UAE).

This is where “We Will Triumph” (Palestine). “Heroes Will Rise” (Australia), upon “The Hope Of A Nation” (India). “Together As One” (Thailand), “Fighting For The Same Dream” (China), “One Dream” (Oman), “To Dream The Impossible” (Philippines), where “Lions Always Prevail” (Iraq).

All roads lead to Abu Dhabi, enjoy!

Asian Cup 2019: Japan (Preview)

Six months on from surprising the world by qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup, Japan are a side full of optimism as they look to muster the perfect response to their failed Asian Cup campaign in Australia four years ago. Under yet another coach, restoring the identity of Japanese football is at the heart of the new JFA led project, building towards another promising era of potential success.

It wholly depends on who you speak to you, to whether they think Japan’s campaign in Russia was tactically well executed, or on the whole had a lot to do with lady luck. One things for sure, when said events fell favourably for the Samurai Blue, coach Akira Nishino played his cards well. The eventual performance (not withstanding the first half nerves) that followed the early red card for Colombia, the brave but ultimately prudent rotation of his squad in the final group match to keep fresh for the knockouts and the purposeful pressing illustrated against Belgium, all owe a great debt to Nishino’s initiative.

Of course, his backroom staff need to take partial credit for that success, one in particular; the incoming Hajme Moriyasu, fresh in the knowledge he’d succeed Nishino upon culmination of the World Cup, had an early say in how the side set up. The early tinkering to a Moriyasu-inspired three at the back, wing back system against Ghana on the run up to the World Cup may have back fired spectacularly then, but almost certainly has granted further time for Moriyasu to adapt to his playing staff post-summer.

While the philosophy has carried on; that of bringing back the Japanese identity of old, high levels of possession, creativeness and slow build up, in direct opposition of the direct, workmanlike but effective requirements of former coach Vahid Halilhodzic, Moriyasu has been quick to change the personnel on the pitch.

Losing the likes of Keisuke Honda, Makoto Hasebe and Gotoku Sakai to retirement after the World Cup, Moriyasu has subsequently cut the summer contingent further, excluding the likes of Eiji Kawashima (who admittedly had a woeful World Cup), Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui, Takashi Usami, and Shinj Okazaki from his Asian Cup preparations. While there’ll be contrasting arguments on their usefulness to the current squad, such a swift disregard of such talent is a brave call on the eve of a continental tournament.

This does however allude to the vast resources Moriyasu has at his disposal. In have come the attacking trio of Ritsu Duan, Shoya Nakajima and Takumi Minamino, three players playing regular European football, all under 25 and all cemented into Moriyasu’s starting plans. Nakajima in particular who could’ve felt hard done to, to not have been selected for the World Cup, seems to have improved from it, with a point to prove that he can indeed spring forward from where the likes of Kagawa and Honda left off.

The gradual phasing out of their older talents and when this is best to be undertaken has been a thorny subject for years, yet Moriyasu has, for the time being at least been given a break in this regard. Under Vahid Halilhodzic, the Samurai Blue regularly lined up with Messrs Honda, Kagawa and Okazaki taking their places on the bench, yet the style of football being bred at the time, lead for quick calls for a return to the status quo. The fact Moriyasu, a J-League man through and through, has been quick to instill promising talent he knows well in an attacking, possession-based system has clearly gained sympathisers.

There will be questions no doubt, of Japan’s credentials at the Asian Cup. They can’t merely coast through a tournament without scrutiny, and despite a lack of noise at present, come January fans will expect their side to compete for silverware. Given the long-term goals of the national side; to qualify and compete at 2022, seek victory on home soil at the Olympics in 2020, even portray a positive vision of Japanese football at next summer’s Copa America, is it too soon to be making a true assessment of Moriyasu’s progress at the Asian Cup?

The side feels fresh, a distinct change from that under Halilhodzic, even Nishino, but reliance on key players in defensive areas will stabilise the core required if they have hopes of going deep into the tournament. The back four is likely to feature their three most experienced players, in Maya Yoshida (now made captain under Moriyasu), Hiroki Sakai and Yuto Nagatomo. All three have experience of big competitions, but also play regular European football with their clubs, a key prerequisite going into the Asian Cup.

The keeper situation however remains a doubt. With Kawashima, unanimously thrown onto the scrap heap after the World Cup, Kashiwa Reysol stopper Kosuke Nakamura was ear marked as the heir in waiting to make his tournament debut. Multiple injuries since the summer have subsequently thrown that certainty into doubt, with Gamba Osaka’s Masaaki Higashiguchi in pole position to take the number one jersey on the eve of the tournament. Now 32, Higashiguchi’s erratic style of old has tempered slightly, but his lack of international experience will remain a concern ahead of kick off.

Japan all-in-all head into the Asian Cup as a subdued capsule. Preparations have been modest - as usual they have only scheduled home friendly matches since the summer, in which little has overly brought out a change in style or personnel that could suggest what Moriyasu is looking at heading to the UAE. With a relatively simple looking passage through to the knockouts ahead of them, Japan shouldn’t make heavy work of their Round 1 opponents, yet an early predicted meeting with Australia in the quarter finals, could see them struggle to better their abject showing in 2015.

Key Men

Head Coach - Hajime Moriyasu

Former Japanese international turned coach, who worked under Akira Nishino on the run up to and at the World Cup over the summer. Famed for leading Sanfrecce Hiroshima to three titles in four seasons playing an attacking brand of possession football. Has already illustrated his fondness for youth and the J.League, relying on untested international players in the run up to the Asian Cup.

Star Player - Gaku Shibasaki

Unassuming but poised, deep creator, who had found it difficult to fit in the national team picture, until Akira Nishino took charge ahead of the World Cup, now looks the key cog in Moriyasu’s game plan. Amassed a significant career in Japan with Kashima Antlers, including winning the FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball in 2016, before moving to Spain, with Tenerife and now Getafe. A vital figure in transition between defence and attack.

Under Pressure - Masaaki Higashiguchi

Long been a strong performer domestically, Gamba Osaka goalkeeper Higashiguchi has been flung into the spotlight, as the Samurai Blue number one upon the eve of the tournament with only a handful of caps to his name. Was always likely to play catch up with Kosuke Nakamura, however injury has thrown him a lifeline. Quite eccentric and lively in style, the keeper has been susceptible to the odd brain fade.

Young Prospect - Ritsu Doan

Player of the tournament at the 2016 AFC U19 Championship, Doan played a key role at last year’s U20 World Cup, scoring three goals over four matches. The 20-year-old can play anywhere across the three in behind the striker yet has already established favour with Moriyasu on the right side. A threat from dead ball situations, Doan scored his first Japan goal in October against Uruguay.

Asian Cup 2019: Uzbekistan (Preview)

Seemingly ever present on the periphery of the Asian elite, Uzbekistan’s golden generation missed their chance of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia, after a conservative and ultimately ineffectual qualification campaign. Emerging from the dust, a team in transition, devoid of top quality experience and sustained high level minutes, is headed by the well renowned coach Hector Cuper, tasked with crawling back credibility in January’s Asian Cup on the path to 2022.

The last four years have seen peak Uzbekistan come to the fore. Moments of promise, matches exuding influence, only to come unstuck at the final hurdle; this is what we’ve grown to expect from this nation’s football. The golden generation, headed by the likes of Server Djeparov, Azizbek Haydarov and Alexander Geynrikh ground to a halt in qualification, in all honesty in similar fashion to the way they have done at the end of many a World Cup cycle.

Their campaign as a whole lacked attacking intent or artistic character. There were the odd results of note; the 5-1 away victory over Philippines and the 1-0 away win in Qatar spring to mind, yet there were some real clangers too; the 4-2 defeat to North Korea, and 1-0 loss to Syria, culminating in their pursuit of a lucky loser spot ebbing out of reach. Two Uzbek coaches had a go, with little demonstrative difference in style or structure; Messrs Qosimov & Babyan fell by the wayside.

A change in management was required, and with the appointment of Argentinian coach Hector Cuper comes a distinct shift in prestige, if not style. The former Valencia manager is fresh off the back of qualifying Egypt for their first World Cup in 25 years, and but for an injury to Mohammed Salah on the run up to the tournament, could’ve experienced better results in Russia.

His style, as alluded to, matches the Uzbek philosophy of old. Defensively cautious, with a heavy reliance on experienced campaigners over fledgling talent. This comes at a transitional point, where the latter promises more than the former however. Uzbekistan’s youth setup has been blossoming over the last 10 years; making it to the semi-final stage on three of their last five U19s appearances, while progressing out of the group stage at the U20 World Cup in both 2013 and 2015.

The culmination of their youth progress came in Indonesia this year, where they pushed heavy favourites South Korea, equipped with many senior internationals playing at the top level of European football, in the Asian Games quarter finals, awakening the continent to a crop of players that are set to step into the exiting golden generation’s shoes going into the next World Cup cycle.

While Cuper initially seemed aloof in trusting youth, he has since tinkered with using a number on the run up to the Asian Cup. A likely midfield trio of Odil Hamrobekov, Dostonbek Khamdamov and Ikromjon Alibaev looks to have won over the coach in this department at least. Set free from a rigid, old fashioned approach, these are key examples of how Uzbek football can develop in the coming years.

The demise hasn’t been isolated to the national team however, with the Uzbek Super League finding it harder than ever to compete on the continental stage. Once upon a time Tashkent giants Pakhtakor and Bunyodkor ruled the roost at home and aboard, while these days the run of Lokomotiv Tashkent (who effectively swept up much of the national team squad) in 2016 apart, Uzbek representation on the continental club stage is evaporating before our eyes.

Key players of the exiting generation, the likes of Sardar Rashidov and Igor Sergeev have returned home after miserable stints in the Middle East and China respectively, while pillars of Uzbek football Odil Akhmedov and Vitaliy Denisov have struggled for game time since moving away from regular European football. The landscape is indeed changing, with a couple of young players looking to make the step up (the aforementioned Khamdamov & Eldor Shomurodov have made transfers to Russia, while centre midfielder Otabek Shukurov has moved to the UAE), but it’s very much in it’s infancy.

The one area of concern, amidst the bulging amount of talent coming through, is that of a leading man in attack. The very fact that Alexander Geynrikh returned from retirement to spur on their World Cup qualification campaign epitomised the dearth of options Uzbekistan have to play with. Igor Sergeev was meant to take on the mantle as their future number 9, but despite a promising Asian Cup four years ago, he can’t even find domestic form back in his home country, let alone his international quality of old.

It all leaves pressure firmly on the shoulders of Lokomotiv striker Marat Bikmaev, who at 32 is coming into the best form of his career, for both club and country. After several mixed years in Russia and Kazakhstan, he returned home to spearhead the “Lokomotiv era” that has ploughed on to date. Peaking as the league’s top scorer in 2017, Bikmaev has won three titles in as many seasons, securing the Uzbek Player of the Year accolade late last year.

There is plenty to get excited about with this young side, but a true assessment will likely be made after this tournament, as Uzbekistan set sights on their longer-term goal of qualifying for the World Cup. With the pressure relatively eased for now, it could well prove a blessing in disguise, if Cuper relinquishes his cautious tactical approach. Despite drawing Japan in the initial group phase, a provisionally promising run to the semis is on offer if they do indeed finish second. Just don’t rule them out making a big statement in the UAE.

Key Men

Head Coach - Hector Cuper (ARG)

Former Valencia and Internazionale boss who led Egypt to their first World Cup in over 25 years, has been tasked at replicating the same feat for his new employers Uzbekistan. Has a reputation for defensive tactics and trusting established veterans over the next generation of young players.

Star Player - Odil Akhmedov

Approaching a century of caps, the Uzbek skipper remains integral in both an attacking and defensive capacity. Has the awareness to knit the centre of midfield together, alongside the explosiveness to get on the end of attacking plays. Regularly fallen victim to China’s ever-changing foreigner rules in Shanghai SIPG's CSL title victory.

Under Pressure - Igor Sergeev

Hyped up early in his 20’s to become Uzbekistan’s leading marksman for the next generation but has since stalled after moves to China and the UAE went array. Now back home with Pakhtakor, Sergeev has struggled to replicate his goal scoring form of old, yet given the dearth of quality in attacking areas, could still make the Asian Cup cut.

Young Prospect - Odil Hamrobekov

One of the stars of an impressive youth national team which has been so successful over the last five years. Cultured, holding midfielder with enough bite to take care of his defensive responsibilities. Predicted to be Azizbek Haydarov’s long-term replacement as the side’s anchor.

Asian Cup 2019: Oman (Preview)

Pim Verbeek returns to the pinnacle of Asian football, with a point to a prove. After a tarnished experience as coach of South Korea and Australia, the Dutchman guides his Oman side to the UAE in good form off the back of their Gulf Cup triumph in January. While the tactics remain typical of Verbeek’s career to date, the success keeps rolling on in, all withstanding his inevitable critics.

The story of Oman’s qualification campaign was one of managerial upheaval. Frenchman Paul Le Guen faced the (long overdue) chop after a miserable start to World Cup qualification saw them lag behind Iran in the chase for progression, drawing away to Guam, and losing to Turkmenistan.

He left with his reputation in tatters, with his former employers sticking the boot in on the way out, stating nothing had been achieved over his four years in the hot seat. His replacement, Juan Ramon Lopez Caro lasted less than a year of little competitive action, before parting ways ahead of the final stage of Asian Cup qualification.

In came Verbeek. A man with a long history of defensive, dated tactics mixed in with a great amount of mistrust from Asian football observers. While his cautious approach endeared little neutral fans, Verbeek to his credit has a successful track record during his time in international football; guiding South Korea to third place at the Asian Cup, before qualifying Australia for their first World Cup under the AFC system. In terms of results, the coach met his requirements.

Since taking over Oman, results have been promising; sailing through the last round of qualification (albeit against modest opposition) before clinching Oman’s very first Gulf Cup title on foreign soil. The campaign in Kuwait last winter, couldn’t have fallen nicer for Verbeek if he’d have planned it. A cautious tournament on the whole, with little in the way of attacking exuberance from any side, Oman snuck out the group, to go on to win on penalties in the final against the UAE, scoring only four goals throughout, but crucially conceding only the once.

In the lead up to the Asian Cup since, Oman have stuck to their solid defensive shape and rarely allowed themselves overexertion going forward. In the eight friendly matches to date, they’ve won three, and drawn five, scoring only seven, but typically picking up four clean sheets. Under Le Guen, Oman were an erratic side, who for too long looked a work in progress. With Verbeek, this team is as predictable as it gets.

With it, expectations are clear. Oman have never progressed out of the group stage of the Asian Cup, so given the number of progression spots on offer to make the second round has increased with the tournament’s expansion, sneaking through in second or third spot in the group is a realistic ambition. Facing off against Uzbekistan and Japan, in their first two match ups, it would be foolish to expect anything more than a defensive setup from the first minute. Against Japan, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Verbeek to set up merely to manage the goal difference.

The true test of this side’s credentials will be when they are forced to attack. Their final group stage encounter against Turkmenistan, the very opponents that saw the eventual demise of Le Guen, offers the opportunity for Oman to chase the pursuit of progression. The side still possess some experienced attacking options, the likes of Ahmed Kano, Raheem Ibrahim Saleh and Abdul Aziz Al-Muqbali are all tried and tested options in the international football.

The emergence of centre forward Khalid Al-Hajri however, looks to be the most interesting of selections. Given his recent form (scoring 7 in Asian Cup qualification), the Muscat based striker has found a new lease of life under Verbeek. His ability to run the channels and track back if required makes him the perfect man for the system deployed, yet his goal scoring, often from nothing will mark him as a player to watch.

The biggest limitation of this current crop is that of youth, or a lack of emerging stars. The core of the squad has been in the mix for the last couple of cycles, headed by four of the back five that played at the last Asian Cup, including Ali Al-Habsi, the veteran keeper. Failing competition for positions, the squad could look a bit stagnant, in tight or frustrating encounters. How the manager chooses to use the likes of Al-Muqbali (who is likely to start on the bench from the off), or Muhsen Al-Ghassani, the brightest young player Oman can call upon, may be key in how things swing for Verbeek.

Much of the spotlight will be on the coach, but given Oman’s mediocre past, especially in the Asian Cup, a functional, well oiled system over necessarily a pretty one can’t be sniffed at. With a wealth of experience across the side, it’s hard to see a real surprise run in this tournament, however a frustrating 0-0 draw here or there might well become the unpopular story of the Asian Cup. Will Verbeek leave with a wry smile on his face, I wonder.

Key Men

Head Coach - Pim Verbeek (NED)

Vastly experienced Dutch coach, who took up the reigns of Oman at the start of Asian Cup qualification after two years away from the game. Often criticised throughout his career for deploying conservative football, Verbeek can point to leading South Korea to third place in 2007’s Asian Cup, Australia to their first World Cup via AFC qualification and Oman to Gulf Cup triumph last winter.

Star Player - Ali Al-Habsi

Legendary goalkeeper who has a cult following in English football, playing an instrumental part in Wigan Athletic’s success in the Premier League. Now at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, he’s playing at the peak of the Asian game, while likely to skipper Oman in his last major tournament, what would be his fourth Asian Cup campaign.

Under Pressure - Raed Ibrahim Saleh

Long tipped as his country’s most talented attacking talent. One of only a few players to break Europe but has failed to live up to the hype when called upon, often fading out to the periphery in key matches. Now entering his peak years, Saleh remains a catalyst in any hopes of success his side has.

Young Prospect - Muhsen Al-Ghassani

Promising striker, who has started to feature off the bench for Oman of late, after a lively start to his club career with Omani champions Al-Suwaiq. A languid looking striker, but has the ability to link up with others, and provide an alternative to the more experienced Al-Haijri and Al-Muqbali in attack.

Asian Cup 2019: Turkmenistan (Preview)

On the run up to the Asian Cup, Turkmenistan look to be one of the most unfancied of any nation in their attempts to make history and progress through the group stage for the first time. Off the back of a record-breaking twelve months for Turkmen football however, a close relationship between club and country is something well worth a deeper look into.

Few, if any previous national team squads have ever had such a dependency on one club side, than that of Turkmenistan with Altyn Asyr. Despite not having experienced a match to speak of since qualification ended back in March, Turkmenistan can look back on a monumental year for the nation’s club football that peaked with their leading club’s run to the AFC Cup final. Riding a tidal wave of success domestically, can coach of both club and country Yazguly Hojageldyyev transmit that good feeling onto the Emeralds’ campaign in the UAE?

Altyn Asyr, the club side that spurs the national team on this January, became the first club from Turkmenistan to make the final of the AFC Cup. The campaign included victories over previous finalists Bengaluru FC, the impressive North Korean outfit April 25 alongside a dominant spell in the regional group phase where they overcame neighbouring rivals Istiklol of Tajikistan.

The club’s rise to become Central Asia’s top club, which has been bankrolled by the telecommunications company of the same name has seen Altyn Asyr cruise through the last few seasons domestically in seemingly untouchable fashion. With little in the way of competition in terms of financial muscle, the side has sucked up the very best domestic talent, including both playing and coaching staff, to effectively replicate the very setup Turkmenistan rolled out in latter Asian Cup qualification.

The final piece of the puzzle, the reinstallation of Yazguly Hojageldyyev has cemented the undeniable link between club and country. Only bettered in terms of pedigree by legendary Russia based coach Kurban Berdyev, Hojageldyyev is the leading figure on the local football scene. Seven championships, with two clubs over the last 12 years is some going. This alongside taking over the national team at the start of 2017 for a second time, after leading the AFC Challenge Cup final appearances in his first spell in 2010 & 2012 sandwiched between his domestic successes.

These illustrious results leave the coach to a certain degree untouchable, and despite realistically modest expectations ahead of January, fans are keen to take the Altyn Asyr momentum with them. The national side in terms of structure has almost completely taken on the form of the AFC Cup finalists; 9 of the predicted 11 play their football for the club, while it’s possible that all three goalkeeping slots in the squad will be taken by Altyn Asyr players.

The national team callups are even starting to resemble a recruitment ground for Hojageldyyew’s club side, signing Wahyt Orazsahedov and Mekan Saparov over the last year for Altyn Asyr after impressive performances with the national team.

There have been consequences however to this linear practice. Success continentally has come at a heavy cost to Altyn Asyr, only edging to victory in the domestic title race this year from Ashgabat rivals Ahal and receiving damning criticism for their lacklustre performance against Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the AFC Cup final.

Hojageldyyev’s blind loyalty to his domestic employers has also seen players outside of the club receive ever limited call ups. Artur Gevorkyan a regular goal scorer in the Uzbek Super League and with Turkmenistan in World Cup qualification, has been exclusively ignored by Hojageldyyev since he took over. Given the gulf in quality they’ll likely be faced with in the Emirates, it seems misguided not to consider a recall for him.

Those who continue with the national team, from outside the Altyn Asyr sphere are either former Hojageldyyev players or those who have illustrious reputations outside the country. Much of the attacking emphasis will come through Ruslan Mingazow, still on the books of Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic. The wide midfielder has years of experience playing in Europe, something none of his peers can call upon.

In qualification, it was a tale of edging out results rather than dominant displays. Positive World Cup qualifying results such as a home draw with Asian Cup favourites Iran and victory over Oman were supplemented with contrasting failings such as a damaging defeat to Guam that opened their campaign.

In the resulting Asian Cup qualifying section, a favourable group including relative strugglers Singapore and Chinese Taipei was set up to ease their transition but made Turkmenistan sweat until the dying embers. Managing to edge both by a mere goal, the qualification campaign ended as an unattractive success story if there ever was one, emphasised by being the only side to qualify for the Asian Cup with a negative goal difference.

Their strengths consequently come through their unity, physical capabilities and mentality. Having forged a strong defensive base at club level (which wasn’t on display in Basra in October admittedly) Turkmenistan will be a hard nut to crack in the first instance.

Mobility has regularly been their deficiency, but with the emergence of Altymyrat Annadurdyyev, who only took up the professional game three years ago after a glittering futsal career, has added a sense of unpredictability to the side’s forward game.

Cutting in from the left, his combination play with either one of his strike partners at club level; Myrat Yagşyyev or the aforementioned Orazsahedov, Annadurdyyev has a healthy scoring record at Altyn Asyr which transitioned into Asian Cup qualifying, scoring three of his side’s nine efforts. Their opportunities are likely to be fleeting come January, having someone in such hot form going into the tournament is surely going to aid in their profligacy.

The group stage draw predictably maps a tough road ahead. Yet a Central Asia derby clash with Uzbekistan and an outing against Oman, the same side they clinched three points over in World Cup qualification will give the team the desired confidence boost. The question will ultimately be posed at Hojageldyyev’s selection and deployment of the resources available. After an historic 2018, to finish with a crushing AFC Cup final loss, a tighter than needed league title challenge followed by a turbulent time on the international stage in the UAE, his job is increasingly looking precarious.

Key Men

Head Coach - Yazguly Hojageldyyev

A legendary coach in Turkmenistan, who has won seven domestic championships with two different clubs, alongside consecutive finals at the AFC Challenge Cup with his country. Brought in for his second spell as national team coach, he clinched Asian Cup qualification alongside guiding club side Altyn Asyr to this year’s AFC Cup final.

Star Player - Altymyrat Annadurdiyev

Wide front man, who spearheaded Turkmenistan’s goal threat in the final round of qualification, scoring three goals in six matches, including the crucial winner at home to Chinese Taipei that ensured their place in the UAE. Has also performed impressively both at home and abroad domestically, scoring 12 in 16 over the past two AFC Cup campaigns.

Late Inclusion - Artur Geworkyan

Has a consistent scoring record domestically, playing in the Uzbek top flight over the last decade. Hasn’t featured for the national side since Hojageldiyev returned yet could be turned to in his country’s most decorative moment, given his experience and nous in front of goal.

Young Prospect - Resul Hojayev

The youngest option at Turkmenistan’s disposal, the 21-year-old central midfielder looks to give the national team a fresher feel in possession and in front of goal. Is becoming a regular favourite domestically with Altyn Asyr, forming a solid partnership with Serdar Geldiyew which looks to transition into the Asian Cup.