Whilst many clubs are bemoaning the release of some of their international stars for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, fans of the continent’s football are rubbing their hands with glee at the chance to see their troops take a swipe at continental silverware.
With players in form in their homelands, and other starlets plying their trade admirably overseas, eyes will be cast over towards Qatar to see who makes their presence felt. A shop window indeed, and most certainly a chance for some to strut their stuff on a stage of growing importance, some will step up and grab the spotlight.
We look at the Players to Watch in the 2011 Asian Cup:
Shinji Kagawa – Japan (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) – Attacking Midfielder
Probably one of the most well known participants in the Asian Cup this year, Kagawa’s plaudits for his displays at Borussia Dortmund have seen him become somewhat of a household name outside of his homeland. The Japanese star has been in superb goalscoring form for the Ruhr giants and with his country not well known for being a free-scoring side, his presence in the Blue Samurai team may well provide an extra spark. Kagawa will be looking to add to his already burgeoning reputation with a solid showing in Qatar.
Shojaei Masoud – Iran (Osasuna, Spain) – Attacking Midfielder
In Masoud, Iran finally have a successor to the great Ali Karimi. The quick witted, eager to come forward midfielder, is one of the few in the national setup to be plying his trade overseas. Playing with his countryman Javad Nekanoum at Osasuna, Masoud has built on a reputation that has seen him maintain his first team spot despite a change in manager since joining the Spanish club. Able to set up goals and score them too, he will be an ever present danger.
Sebastian Soria – Qatar (Qatar SC, Qatar) – Striker
Although not a Qatar native, the Uruguayan born striker has produced the goods in his adopted homeland with an amazing goalscoring record in the Qatar Stars League, notching 71 goals in 91 appearances. His efforts in the 2007 edition of the Asian Cup assured that Qatar, who finished bottom of their group, were not completely embarrassed as he bagged three goals. If the hosts are going to do anything in the tournament, Soria will be relied on heavily to get them the goals.
Sasa Ognenovski – Australia (Seongnam Illhwa Chunma, Korea Republic) – Defender
Probably not the first on everyone’s list for Australia, and by no means guaranteed a first eleven position yet, Ognenovski has had a fantastic year in Asian football, claiming Asian Player of the Year and the Asian Champions League trophy. His experience in Asia over the last two seasons will be more than helpful to Australia’s cause in combating their opponents in the Middle East. Height and strength will be a major advantage against the likes of South Korea and India, but a penchant for the odd goal might just see him starting alongside captain Lucas Neill in the heart of defence.
Hao Junmin – China (Schalke 04, Germany) – Midfielder
There aren’t too many Chinese players earning their living abroad, but Junmin is doing it in style, turning out for German giants Schalke. Being the only player in the Asian Cup squad to be playing overseas comes with its own pressures however, with much more expected, but the 23-year-old midfielder will be looking to pull the strings to help China assert some kind of dominance after a dismal group stage exit in 2007’s edition. With the then-19-year-old Hao missing out through illness, the midfielder might just provide the spark China need to at least qualify from their group.
Ki Sung-Yueng – South Korea (Celtic, Scotland) – Midfielder
With many expecting this year’s tournament to be the last for captain Park Ji-Sung, a changing of the guard will be required in the engine room of South Korea; already being talked up as a natural successor is Celtic’s midfield sensation Ki Sung-Yueng. Educated in Australia, the young midfielder has set the tone for a successful Asian Cup with some inspired performances for the Scottish giants in the absence of captain Scott Brown. Already a regular in the South Korean first team at just 21, and with a World Cup under his belt, much is to be expected of the former FC Seoul star. A master of distribution and dictating the play, Ki’s performances could well help South Korea to the title in Qatar.
Abdulla Baba Fatadi – Bahrain (Neuchâtel Xamax, Switzerland) – Midfielder
Bahrain have rarely had a player with as much of an X-factor as Fatadi. The Nigerian born midfielder, apart from being one of a very privileged few Bahraini players to ply their trade in Europe, has provided the Persian Gulf country with a driving, attacking force in the centre of the park. Having already scored eight goals in only 15 appearances, there can be no doubt about Fatadi’s ability. Already with Asian Cup experience from the 2007 edition, Fatadi will be looking to help his team seek some kind of vengeance for their ignominious failure to reach the World Cup after failing to beat New Zealand in the playoffs.
Yasser Al-Qahtani – Saudi Arabia (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia) – Striker
Not much has been going right for Al-Qahtani since his scintillating performances in the last Asian Cup where he topped the scoring charts, propelling Saudi Arabia to the final. However, from these lofty heights, he was a part of a dismal World Cup qualifying campaign where fellow Arab nation Bahrain beat Saudi Arabia to the playoff spot. With his club form seemingly indifferent, the Saudi captain will be looking to reinvigorate his career with Asian Cup glory. A fantastic finisher when on form, Saudi Arabian fans will be looking to their talisman to lead them back to the heights of Asian football.
Ryang Yong-Gi – North Korea (Velgata Sendai, Japan) – Midfielder
Much was said and written about the Japanese-born midfielder’s performances in South Africa, and very little of it negative. The positive goalscorer proved to be a hit at the World Cup and much secured himself a spot in the hearts of North Korean fans. Passionate to the last, Ryang provides a midfield steel that has been instilled in him from his many years in the Japanese second division. With seven goals in nine appearances, it’s not hard to understand how important he is to a PR Korean team with little overseas experience. Expect to see goals from the midfielder, and hopefully lots of them.
Younis Mahmoud – Iraq (Al-Gharafa, Qatar) – Striker
Another relic from the last Asian Cup, Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud will be looking to pull his country through a tough group containing the likes of the UAE, Iran and North Korea. Iraq have largely underachieved since their momentous win in 2007, but with the core of their squad still intact, and their fearless talisman still leading from the front, there will be optimism that Iraqi passion will flow through again. Coming off the back of a 21-goal season with his club, he is certainly in the form to find a way past Iraq’s more illustrious opponents and hoist the team out of their lull.
2011 Asian Cup Preview: Groups A – B >>
2011 Asian Cup Preview: Groups C – D >>
