Mitch Freeley

Ahead of the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE we have decided to break down the teams in each group to see who could come away with the famous trophy on the 1st of February. You can subscribe now to our 2019 AFC Asian Cup UAE package now. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are set to battle it out for supremacy in Group E, but the gulf rivals will face a stern test of their Asian Cup credentials against a spirited Lebanon side and an unknown quantity in North Korea. 

North Korea
Coach – Kim Young- Jun

At 35 years old, former international Kim Young-Jun is one of the youngest managers at the AFC Asian Cup. Having managed U16, U17 & U23 age groups the former Midfielder who played for his country at the 2010 World Cup was a natural choice to succeed Norwegian boss Jorn Anderson in the North Korea hot seat. Now, Kim will be charged with getting this group of largely local players into the knockout phase for the first time since 1980. 

Key Man – Jong II Gwan

FC Luzern striker  Jong II Gwan will be one to watch out for North Korea. The target man is the leading goalscorer in the squad and is fast becoming a talismanic figure for the national team. The 26-year-old is likely to be handed the captain’s armband and will be charged with firing North Korea into the round of sixteen. 

Lebanon
Coach –Miodrag Radulovic

51-year-old Montenegrin coach Miodrag Radulovic took the reigns of the Cedars in 2015 and oversaw their first ever qualification to the Asian Cup on foreign soil. Radulovic has enjoyed a nomadic managerial career to date, including stints in Portugal, Russia and Kuwait. Having opted for a largely domestic-based squad, Radulovic will now hope to galvanize the side as they look to get out of the group stages for the first time in their history. 

Key Man – Hassan Maatouk

Cedars captain Hassan Maatouk will be relishing the prospect of leading his country out in the UAE. The all-action attacker has enjoyed several stints in the Arabian Gulf League with Ajman, Al Shaab and Fujairah. Maatouk is the leading goalscorer in the squad and is likely to lead the line for his country.  With the UAE having a large Lebanese community expect Maatouk and his side to be warmly welcomed during the tournament.  

Saudi Arabia
Coach –Juan Antonio Pizzi

Amazingly former Chile boss Juan Antonio Pizzi kept his job after a 5-0 thumping by hosts Russia in the opening game of the 2018 World Cup. Despite the defeat, the former Spanish international rallied impressively and avoided the sack. Now, Pizzi will head into his second major tournament with Saudi and expectations will be high. Especially considering that Saudi Arabia won the Asian Cup in the UAE back in 1996. 

Key Man – Haroune Camara

21-year-old attacker Haroune Camara is set to lead the line for Saudi at the Asian Cup and the pressure will be on the Al Qadsiah man to deliver in his first major tournament for his country. Camara has plenty of speed and showed glimpses of quality in front of goal at the 2018 Asian Games.  Without any other real goalscorers in the side, Camara will have to hit the ground running if the Green Falcons are to lift the Asian Cup for the first time since 1996. 

Qatar
Coach –Felix Sanchez

Spanish coach Felix Sanchez was a natural choice to replace Jorge Fossati in the Maroons set-up, following the failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Sanchez has coached at U19 level, winning the Asian Cup in 2014, and led the U23 side to a fourth-place finish at the 2016 U23 Championship. Having managed a vast majority of the players in the squad, the former Barcelona coach is well placed to develop the side ahead of the challenge of the 2022 World Cup. 

Key Man – Almoez Ali

22-year-old striker Almoez Ali is primed for a breakout tournament for the Maroons. The Al Duhail attacker has been a mainstay for his side and the national team for the last 18 months and is set to play a key role in attack for Qatar. Blessed with plenty of pace, and a good finisher Ali has struck up an understanding with fellow youngster Akram Afif. Expect the duo to be amongst the goals for Qatar in the UAE. 

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