Rating 10 Arab nations’ chances at AFC Asian Cup 2023

A screen displays the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup groups after the draw for the AFC Asian Cup in Doha (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 05 January 2024
Follow

Rating 10 Arab nations’ chances at AFC Asian Cup 2023

  • Roberto Mancini’s Saudi Arabia look to have their best chance of a fourth title

With the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar only one week away, Arab News assesses the chances of 10 Arab nations taking part in the 24-team tournament.

Group A (includes China, Tajikistan)

Qatar (2019 champions. FIFA ranking 58)

It has been a long five years since the triumph in the 2019 edition of the competition but, for better or worse, most of the players from the tournament in the UAE are still around, including star forwards Almoez Ali and Akram Afif.

The disaster of the 2022 World Cup on home soil still looms large and coach Felix Sanchez’s replacement Carlos Queiroz has come and gone. Another Spaniard, Tintin Marquez, is now in place. Another title seems unlikely but home soil and the experience of 2019 could make a difference.

Arab News’ prediction is round of 16.

Lebanon (2019 group stage. FIFA ranking 107)

The buildup has not been the best for a team preparing for only a third finals appearance and hoping to get past the group stage for the first time. Just last month there was a change of coach with Miodrag Radulovic returning for a second spell to replace Nikola Jurcevic, who had been in place for just two months. The Montenegrin has little time to solve Lebanon’s goalscoring issues but the team is always organized, hard to beat and full of fight.

Arab News’ prediction is group stage exit.

Group B (Australia, Uzbekistan, India)

Syria (2019 group stage. FIFA ranking 91)

Bringing in former Inter Milan and Valencia boss Hector Cuper is a coup but the Argentine boss had previously frustrated fans in Egypt and Uzbekistan with his defensive focus.

He has already shocked supporters by leaving out Omar Al-Somah, one of the best strikers in the region, and it remains to be seen where the goals will come from. It may not be pretty but despite mixed results of late, including a 5-0 loss to Japan and a tough group along with Australia and Uzbekistan, Syria should not be underestimated.

Arab News’ prediction is round of 16.

Group C (Iran, Hong Kong)

UAE (2019 semifinal. FIFA ranking 64)

The shine of the so-called golden generation of the previous decade has faded with star striker Ali Mabkhout one of the few remaining, though he is still banging them in.

Recent times have been tough but Paulo Bento, the Portuguese boss who took South Korea to the second round of the 2022 World Cup, has come in and hit the ground running. Form is excellent and there is a real energy and optimism around the team. Could be a dark horse if the route is favorable.

Arab News’ prediction is quarterfinals.

Palestine (2019 group stage. FIFA ranking 99)

This is Palestine’s third appearance but there has yet to be a win, and it will not come easy against Iran, the UAE and Hong Kong. With the war on Gaza ongoing, any victory would be cause for the kind of celebration that would greet any other team winning the whole thing. The pressure is off and Palestine, led by star striker Oday Dabbagh and cheered on by neutrals, have what it takes to get to the second round.

Arab News’ prediction is round of 16.

Group D (Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam)

Iraq (2019 round of 16. FIFA ranking 63)

The question is the same every time: Can Iraq repeat their title-winning heroics of 2007? This squad is the most internationally experienced that the country has ever had — only eight play at home, including exciting teenage winger Ali Jasim. Much depends on whether Spanish coach Jesus Casas can bring it all together. He has been there since 2022 to ensure that preparations have been more settled than usual. He will be confident of second behind Japan and then, as 2007 showed, anything can happen.

Arab News’ prediction is quarterfinals.

Group E (South Korea, Malaysia)

Bahrain (2019 round of 16. FIFA ranking 86)

It is now 20 years since Bahrain were disappointed to lose the semifinal of the 2004 tournament. This time, just getting to the knockout stages would be seen as success but they do have Juan Antonio Pizzi in place, the man who led Chile to the 2016 Copa America. He has been in charge since the summer and has spent a lot of time trying to instill his usual attacking game based on possession. May be hard to do so against South Korea in the opener but real tests come against Malaysia and Jordan.

Arab News’ prediction is round of 16.

Jordan (2019 round of 16. FIFA ranking 87)

Results have been poor in the buildup, with five defeats and two draws in the last seven games of 2023 but Jordan tend to step it up when the tournament starts.

Pressure is on coach Hussein Ammouta. The Moroccan tactician was brought in amid high expectations to replicate the 2017 success he had in the African Champions League and elsewhere, which means he may adopt a more cautious approach. He needs a good start against a much-improved Malaysia.

Arab News’ prediction is round of 16.

Group F (Thailand, Kyrgyzstan)

Saudi Arabia (2019 round of 16. FIFA ranking 56)

Roberto Mancini has been in charge since August. Expectations are always high but it was 1996 when they won their third and last trophy. The Italian named a relatively young and forward-looking squad though still needs star player Salem Al-Dawsari to shine. The Green Falcons need to do better than 2019’s second-round finish and should do so, but will need all Mancini’s tactical knowhow and the best from the players to get past the likes of Japan and South Korea.

Arab News’ prediction is a final spot.

Oman (2019 round of 16. FIFA ranking 74)

The Reds want to confirm that they are one of the continent’s best after a fine performance in qualification for the 2022 World Cup. A surprise November loss to Kyrgyzstan has, however, seen coach Branko Ivankovic criticized for the first time in his four years in charge — with questions surrounding team selections and his preference for lengthy training camps. Getting past the round of 16 for the first time is the target but more would be welcome.

Arab News’ prediction is round of 16.


Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif wins IBSF World Snooker Championship in Qatar

Updated 32 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif wins IBSF World Snooker Championship in Qatar

  • Asif defeated Iran’s Ali Ghareghozlou 5-3 to clinch the title for 3rd time
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif promises to set up world-class facilities for sportsmen

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif for winning the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Championship in Qatar for the third time, Pakistani state-run media reported on Thursday.
Asif defeated Iran’s Ali Ghareghozlou 5-3 to clinch the title in a thrilling final on November 6, 2024. He outclassed Ali 5-3: 70-25, 7-87(84), 82(56)-8, 106(106)-08, 82-12, 43-91(58), 0-118 and 93(80)-4.
“Asif made the entire nation proud by winning the international championship for the third time,” PM Sharif was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan broadcaster. “The talented youth of Pakistan are highlighting the country’s name in the fields of sports.”
The IBSF, founded in 1971, is the governing body for billiards and snooker worldwide. It represents 85 member countries and is recognized by the World Confederation of Billiard Sports and the International Olympic Committee.
Asif, 42, first won the IBSF World Snooker Championship in 2012 and went on to win it again in 2019. His victory ties him with India’s Pankaj Advani who has also won the World Snooker Championship thrice.
The Pakistan prime minister said Asif’s family and coach also deserved recognition, adding that providing quality facilities to Pakistani players was top priority of his government.
“The government is making all possible efforts to provide international standard facilities to the players,” he added.
 


Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

Updated 08 November 2024
Follow

Raphinha’s evolution into a more versatile scorer is a big part of Flick’s great start at Barcelona

BARCELONA: Raphinha knew he would have a hard time getting off Barcelona’s bench with the soccer world enthralled by teen phenom Lamine Yamal and the club eyeing to sign another hot prospect in the attack.

Instead of pouting, he evolved.

While the entire Barcelona team improved under new coach Hansi Flick, no player has made such a leap forward this season as Raphinha.

His 12 goals and team-leading 10 assists across all competitions are a big part of why Barcelona is playing its best soccer since the exit of Lionel Messi more than three years ago.

But if one player looked to be on the out when the season started, it was the Brazil forward.

Raphinha seemed destined to become a second-choice right-side winger after 17-year-old Yamal helped Spain win the European Championship in dazzling style. To make matters worse, the club was heavily linked to a possible transfer bid to pry Spain left-side winger Nico Williams away from Athletic Bilbao.

That move never materialized for Williams, but Raphinha was still left with either playing in a new position or being a backup to Yamal.

And when Flick gave him the chance to have a new role, he made the most of it.


England gives call-up to more new faces in final squad before Thomas Tuchel takes over

Updated 08 November 2024
Follow

England gives call-up to more new faces in final squad before Thomas Tuchel takes over

LONDON: Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall were called up to the England squad for the first time on Thursday as interim coach Lee Carsley made his final selection before Thomas Tuchel takes charge.

Tuchel does not start until January after being hired to lead the national team’s bid to win the 2026 World Cup.

Carsley will oversee England’s final Nations League games against Greece and Ireland and has continued to look toward a new generation of players, having already handed debuts to Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke since taking over on a temporary basis from Gareth Southgate in August.

Carsley said had not discussed his selection with Tuchel.

“He hasn’t had any influence on the squad selection. I’ve spoken to him by text, but it’s literally congratulations,” he said. “I think he’s highly respectful of the job that not only myself, but the staff are doing.

“We’ve been left to it, like we always have.”

England plays Greece in Athens on Nov. 14 and Ireland at Wembley on Nov. 17.

Carsley will resume his role as England Under-21 coach after those games.


Man City seek to end mini-slump as Liverpool soar

Updated 08 November 2024
Follow

Man City seek to end mini-slump as Liverpool soar

  • Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have become so accustomed to success that three straight defeats feels like a major crisis
  • Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his final game as interim manager of Manchester United and winless Wolves play fellow strugglers Southampton

LONDON: Injury-hit Manchester City are desperate to snap their losing streak in their final Premier League game before the international break as Chelsea aim to deepen Arsenal’s misery.

Elsewhere in the English top flight, Ruud van Nistelrooy takes charge of his final game as interim manager of Manchester United and winless Wolves play fellow strugglers Southampton.

Here are some of the key talking points ahead of the action this weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have become so accustomed to success that three straight defeats feels like a major crisis.

Last week City, who face Brighton on Saturday, were ousted from the League Cup by Tottenham.

Their 32-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end at Bournemouth before Sporting Lisbon beat them 4-1 in the Champions League — ending another long unbeaten stretch.

Guardiola’s men, gunning for a fifth consecutive Premier League title, are just two points behind league leaders Liverpool but will be wary of losing further ground.

Midfielder Bernardo Silva says the club’s multiple injury worries are not an excuse for their poor form but he admits the international break, which starts after the weekend, comes at a good time.

“At the moment with the injuries that we have and the psychological part as well, it will be good to have that rest, but before that we have a big game again,” he said.

One positive for City in their defeat to Sporting was the return of Kevin De Bruyne, who came on as a late substitute after seven weeks out of action.

If results go against them, Arsenal could find themselves eighth in the Premier League by the time they kick off against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s men have picked up just one point from their past three league games and lost their midweek Champions League clash against Inter Milan 1-0.

Arteta was upbeat despite the defeat at the San Siro, where captain Martin Odegaard made a welcome return to action after being absent since late August.

But defeat against in-form Chelsea plus a win for Liverpool would leave Arsenal, runners-up in each of the past two seasons, 10 points off top spot.

Thierry Henry said on CBS Sports that if Liverpool and City win at the weekend and Arsenal lose, his former side could be out of the title race.

“It would be extremely difficult because you (would) have too many teams to catch... I don’t see two teams collapsing,” he said.

Arne Slot has won 14 of his first 16 games in charge of Liverpool in all competitions.

The club had a relatively kind fixture list at the start of the season but they show no signs of letting up — taking seven points from games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton in recent weeks and boasting a perfect record in the Champions League.

Liverpool have also beaten two Premier League teams, West Ham and Brighton, on their way to the League Cup quarter-finals.

Former Feyenoord boss Slot brushed off a question about whether he was finding his new job “easy” after Liverpool’s thumping 4-0 win against German champions Bayer Leverkusen this week.

“Every team that plays against us is in the top of their game,” he said. “And if you want to win that, you always have to be consistent in your intensity, and that’s not always easy but that is what’s needed.”

Liverpool have a tough run of fixtures coming up, starting with Aston Villa at home on Saturday, but so far they have proved they have what it takes.

Fixtures

Saturday (1500 GMT unless stated)

Brentford vs. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace v Fulham, West Ham vs. Everton, Wolves vs. Southampton, Brighton v Manchester City (1730), Liverpool vs. Aston Villa (2000)

Sunday (1400 unless stated)

Manchester Utd vs. Leicester, Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle, Tottenham vs. Ipswich, Chelsea vss. Arsenal (1630)


Bucks snap losing streak with Jazz rout

Updated 08 November 2024
Follow

Bucks snap losing streak with Jazz rout

  • Lillard rattled in four three-pointers and shot 12-of-22 from the field en route to his third straight 30-point game to help Milwaukee claim only their second win
  • Minnesota Timberwolves scored a 135-119 blowout of the Chicago Bulls on the road while the San Antonio Spurs proved too strong for Portland Trail Blazers, winning 118-105

LOS ANGELES: Damian Lillard scored 34 points as the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a run of six straight defeats to bag their first home win of the season with a 123-100 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday.

Lillard rattled in four three-pointers and shot 12-of-22 from the field en route to his third straight 30-point game to help Milwaukee claim only their second win since a season-opening defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers last month.

Giannis Antetokounmpo added 31 points with 16 rebounds while Bobby Portis bagged 19 off the bench as Milwaukee clinched a badly needed victory after a miserable start to the campaign.

The 2021 NBA champions started the game with a 1-6 record that has left them one place off the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Utah looked ready to compound Milwaukee’s problems after taking a 61-57 half-time lead at the Fiserv Forum.

But the Bucks finally clicked into gear with a devastating third-quarter performance, outscoring Utah 31-16 to build what turned out to be an insurmountable lead as they finally gave their home fans something to cheer about.

“It feels great,” Lillard said. “Getting off to a rough start, it’s easy to get down on yourself and start to panic a little bit and worry.

“Tonight we just came out with the right mentality. They hit some threes, but we stuck with it, shared the ball and finally we caught our stride and take over the game.

“We just got to be able to use this as momentum going forward.”

In other games, the Minnesota Timberwolves scored a 135-119 blowout of the Chicago Bulls on the road while the San Antonio Spurs proved too strong for the Portland Trail Blazers, winning 118-105.

In Chicago, Anthony Edwards sparked the Timberwolves to a come-from-behind win, scoring 33 points including five three-pointers with eight rebounds and six assists.

Chicago had dominated for long periods, leading the game from early in the first quarter until midway through the fourth.

But Minnesota erupted to devastating effect in the final period, turning the game on its head after outscoring Chicago 45-24 to cruise home.

Six Timberwolves players finished in double figures, with Julius Randle delivering 22 points and Rudy Gobert adding 21 points.

French international Gobert saluted Edwards’ decisive contribution.

“Every year his playmaking has got better and better and now this is the year where I feel like he’s really able to see what’s happening on the floor,” Gobert said.

“It’s just on me to get him open or get open myself and finish the play.”

Nikola Vucevic led Chicago’s scorers with 25 points, with Coby White adding 24.

In San Antonio, eight Spurs players tallied double-digit points totals in a victory over Portland.

San Antonio took to the floor once again without the presence of legendary head coach Gregg Popovich, who was taken ill last weekend with an unspecified health issue.