Uzbekistan
Star men
Server Djeparov - Whether sporting mullet or mohican, the two-time Asian player of the year makes the team tick. Was slapped by his coach in Korea early in the season and wasn’t unhappy when he was fired. If he’s fired up down under, he could be one of the stars.
Vitaliy Denisov - With flowing red locks and the beard, could have been a Mel Gibson comrade in Braveheart though with a pro footballer as a dad, the beautiful game was always possible. The best left-back of the 2014 Russian Premier League season.
Coach
Mirdjalal Kasimov – Excitedly labelled the ‘Beckham of Central Asia’ back in the day when any non-ugly midfielder to score a free-kick was compared to the Englishman, though he did manage to make David James look foolish in scoring against Liverpool in the 1995-1996 Uefa Cup. He did not impress in his first spell in charge of the national team, however.
Serial champions - Since 2002 the title has been shared by the two Tashkent titans Bunyodkor, formerly controlled by the eldest daughter of long-serving president Islam Karimov, and Pakhtakor.
Pedigree – Improving. Group stage in 1996 and 2004, the first two appearances at the continental tournament following the break-up of the Soviet Union, quarters in 2004 and 2007 and the last four four years ago.
Great sporting moments – Winning the 1994 Asian Games just two years after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
What would they be doing if not playing football? Eating plov, the oily national dish, or producing top-class referees. Should Uzbekistan not make the final then Ravshan Irmatov probably will.
Distance travelled to Australia - 11,800km.
Random fact – One of only two ‘double landlocked’ countries in the world, a nation completely surrounded by other landlocked countries. Liechtenstein is the other.
Random Australian connection – Not much. According to Australian government, the two countries enjoy a ‘modest’ relationship though there was nothing modest about the 6-0 thrashing the Socceroos handed out in the 2011 semi-final.
North Korea
Star men
Pak Kwang-ryong - After a drawn out saga, he signed for Basel in 2011 prompting a club official to say that signing exotic animals would have been less complex. The striker (and his minder, a former football referee) enjoyed life in Switzerland, playing against Manchester United in the Champions League, but the forward had to be careful to avoid talking to South Korean team-mate Park Joo-ho alone.
Jong Il-gwan - The 2010 Young Asian Player of the Year has been, in the past, tenuously linked to Newcastle United. It’s not all bad news though as he finished the 2014 Asian Games as top scorer and, had he not been banned for the final, there was every chance that North Korea would have defeated the South. The 22 year-old has license to roam in attack and is cool in front of goal.
Coach
Jong To-seob - Yun Jung-su is banned from the stadium on Asian Cup matchdays by the AFC for complaining about officials. Consequently, the man who has been in charge for the past three years was replaced in December. Jong, the man who led the team to a first round exit in 2011, is back on the job.
Serial champions - 25 April belongs to the Korean People’s Army and the 13 time champs are named after the day on which Kim Il-sung founded his guerilla army back in 1932.
Pedigree - Never been a contender at the Asian Cup, not entering until 1980 when they achieved a best-ever fourth place finish. First round exit in 2011 was disappointing.
Great sporting moments – Beating Italy in the World Cup to book a place in the knockout stage in 1966.
What would they be doing if not playing football? Annoying George Clooney.
Distance travelled to Australia - 8,500km.
Random fact – The population is supposedly 100% literate.
Random Australian connection – North Korea were Australia’s first ever opponents in World Cup qualification and won 9-2 on aggregate back in 1965.
China
Star men
Zheng Zhi – ZZ, loved by headline writers during his time in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues, has matured into an intelligent and tactically aware midfielder and leader.
Zhang Linpeng – ‘Our Sergio Ramos’, said Marcello Lippi. He may have been exaggerating a little but this defender who can play in the middle or the sides has all the ingredients. Needs to show for China.
Coach
Alain Perrin - Inevitably nicknamed ‘Reggie’ during a troubled time in England with Portsmouth after a famous BBC sitcom character, this Perrin never played the game but a phone call from Michel Platini’s dad turned the PE teacher on to coaching and after working under Arsène Wenger and Aimé Jacquet, he was on his way. Being accused of sexual harassment during a troubled time at Marseille was a low point.
Serial champions - These days it’s Guangzhou Evergrande with four in a row. The 2013 Asian champs have been known to provide as many as nine members of recent squads – a spine to the team that can make a real difference.
Pedigree – Not exactly great. The only time China have ever looked like winning in Asia was in 2004 when they reached the final on home soil. Haven’t got past the group stage on last two occasions.
Great sporting moments – Qualification for the 2002 World Cup was a high point even if no goals or points was not. Made up for it with scores of Olympic gold medals since and plenty more besides.
Distance travelled to Australia - 9,000km.
What would they be doing if not playing football? Playing cuju, the ancient forerunner to the beautiful game.
Random fact – Not fulfilled football potential yet but world leader in cricket fighting.
Random Australian connection - China’s demand for natural resources has kept the Aussie economy ticking over.
Saudi Arabia
Star men
Nasser Al-Shamrani – The striker annoyed Australians by spitting at Matthew Spiranovic after Saudi giants Al-Hilal lost the Asian Champions League final to Western Sydney Wanderers. Had a weekend of two halves in November – named AFC player of the year just hours before being banned for eight games. Said spitting was a normal reaction to abuse and he may get the chance to explain that to Spiranovic at the quarter-final stage.
Coach
Cosmin Olăroiu - The Saudis love their Romanian coaches but it is something of a surprise that this particular one was appointed in December as in 2009, the government told the media not to write about articles about Olăroiu. After winning his second Crown Prince cup, the boss upset many people by removing his T-shirt that featured a picture of the said member of the royal family and throwing it on the podium in front of the royal member’s representative. The Saudi FA called the act “unacceptable”. Now he’s back.
Serial champions - Al-Hilal are football royalty and Asia’s self-proclaimed biggest club. Still spitting mad at losing the Asian Champions League final to Western Sydney Wanderers.
Pedigree - Three titles. Only twice since 1980 has there been a Green Falcon-free final but 2011 saw the humiliation of a first round exit and a 5-0 thrashing from Japan. Made the World Cup four times from 1994 to 2006.
Great sporting moments - The mazy and amazing slalom run by Saeed Al-Owairan in 1994, a goal that put the team in the second round in their first appearance. It was, he says, a run that took him indirectly, in 1996, to jail after he was caught drinking with non-Saudi women during Ramadan.
Distance travelled to Australia - 13,000km.
What would they be doing if not playing football? Keeping oil prices low, falcons high and sidewalk skiing, balancing a moving car on just two of its wheels.
Random fact – There are no rivers in Saudi Arabia.
Random Australian connection - Saudi Arabia is the only team to lose to Australia in 2014.
