AFC Asian Cup
Some were optimistic of their chances, others said they were relishing the challenge ahead while a few said it would be a great opportunity for the development of their players.
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the reaction to the draw for the continental showpiece which will be played on January 12 to February 10, 2024.
Group A
Carlos Queiroz - Qatar Head Coach
All the draws are wonderful, perfect. We have to enjoy it. Now the most important thing is the next step, how we’re going to be prepared, how we’re going to be ready to compete against beautiful players and beautiful teams because it will be a tough competition. But the most important thing is to play good football, to have fun and bring as much pride and honour for the country.
(Playing as hosts) is another responsibility but football without responsibility and pressure doesn’t exist. We love that. We’re going to be prepared for that. We will have a special programme. We will be ready at the right time.
It will be an honour to have that privilege (of being defending champions). We are proud of what the team did but it’s not enough. Now it’s our duty to make (the fans) and ourselves proud of our work so that when the Asian Cup is finished, the people in Qatar are happy and proud of us.
Football is always about the next step, the next game. The next game is Qatar against Lebanon in this competition and that’s what counts. When the games start it will be about one team, one family, one mission and one goal.
AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final Draw Event Highlights
Aleksandar Jankovic – China PR Head Coach
There is no weak opponent at this stage and we are excited to be playing and representing China at such a big event. It’s always interesting to play against the host country and it will be a big challenge for us. We’re excited and the whole of the China team is excited to play at the Asian Cup. Of course we know the World Cup was organised here perfectly and I feel it was the best, by far in the history of the World Cup and I’m excited to be playing the next big competition in Qatar.
There is no weak opponent at this stage and we are excited to be playing and representing China at such a big event. It’s always interesting to play against the host country and it will be a big challenge for us. We’re excited and the whole of the China team is excited to play at the Asian Cup. Of course we know the World Cup was organised here perfectly and I feel it was the best, by far in the history of the World Cup and I’m excited to be playing the next big competition in Qatar.
It’s very important for us to start with a victory, with all due respect to our opponents. We will be ready for the tournament. We still have time to prepare, to analyse and watch their friendly games and also do everything we can attack the competition in the best condition.
Petar Segrt - Tajikistan Head Coach
This is the first for Tajikistan (in the AFC Asian Cup) and we will try our best. This tournament, I think, will be a very, very interesting tournament. We have to respect everybody. Qatar are the defending champions, China are also a very big team.For Tajikistan, this is about learning and growing and making sure we play again in the Asian Cup.
This is the first for Tajikistan (in the AFC Asian Cup) and we will try our best. This tournament, I think, will be a very, very interesting tournament. We have to respect everybody. Qatar are the defending champions, China are also a very big team.For Tajikistan, this is about learning and growing and making sure we play again in the Asian Cup.
Aleksandar Ilic - Lebanon Head Coach
It is quite interesting. All the groups looked nice. I hope we see quality football. I think we have a nice group and if we prepare well, we can always expect a good result. Each Asian Cup is special and I believe this one will also prove that.
It is quite interesting. All the groups looked nice. I hope we see quality football. I think we have a nice group and if we prepare well, we can always expect a good result. Each Asian Cup is special and I believe this one will also prove that.
Group B
Graham Arnold - Australia Head Coach
We’ve got the World Cup qualifiers and qualifying for that is important. But this is just as important for me. You always have to go into these tournaments with the expectation to win them and we’ll give it a good shot.
We’ve got the World Cup qualifiers and qualifying for that is important. But this is just as important for me. You always have to go into these tournaments with the expectation to win them and we’ll give it a good shot.
I’ve been (Socceroos coach) for quite a while so I know the players well, they know exactly what my expectations are of them and also the nation. We’ve got some friendly matches coming up to prepare ourselves and we’ve got time to prepare for this Asian Cup and we’re looking forward to it.
Of course, we have to go with the expectations to win it and the belief that we can win it. For me, the most important thing is that we’ve got the time to prepare and we’ve got to get our preparation right, get the mindset right for the players and come here to Qatar and give our best performance.
Srecko Katanec - Uzbekistan Head Coach
Our group is quite tough. I know Australia, you know how it is in the area. I’ve worked a long time in Asia. I respect Syria and also I respect India. I know their coach and I saw some games and we have to be ready for the tournament. Now it’s early to talk about what we want. We will go game by game and I hope all the players will be ready for the tournament. I wish we can see that all the players, especially the important players in Uzbekistan are ready with no injuries, no illness. This is important. We will see.
Our group is quite tough. I know Australia, you know how it is in the area. I’ve worked a long time in Asia. I respect Syria and also I respect India. I know their coach and I saw some games and we have to be ready for the tournament. Now it’s early to talk about what we want. We will go game by game and I hope all the players will be ready for the tournament. I wish we can see that all the players, especially the important players in Uzbekistan are ready with no injuries, no illness. This is important. We will see.
Mahmoud Fayez Shoudaf - Syria Assistant Coach
I think the group is difficult, as we saw how good Australia were in the World Cup, losing to Argentina who went on to become the champions. Uzbekistan are also very strong while India have developed well over the past five years. Away from our hopes and expectations, our work is to build the Syria national team, and we will prepare for the Asian Cup with a mix of experienced and young players.
I think the group is difficult, as we saw how good Australia were in the World Cup, losing to Argentina who went on to become the champions. Uzbekistan are also very strong while India have developed well over the past five years. Away from our hopes and expectations, our work is to build the Syria national team, and we will prepare for the Asian Cup with a mix of experienced and young players.
Igor Stimac - India Head Coach
There are no easy groups. We are excited about what is coming up in January and we hope we can be ready by then to put up a good fight against every team in our group. I have spent over four years with Sunil Chettri and we have been capitalising on his quality and experience for so long. I am confident that he will continue to deliver and he is better shape than ever before. It is still too early to say what we can do because we have so many months to prepare for it. We have a number of friendlies and competitions lined up to get ready for the championship. Hopefully all the players will be fit ahead of time. Most importantly, I hope all the players enjoy their experience at the tournament.
There are no easy groups. We are excited about what is coming up in January and we hope we can be ready by then to put up a good fight against every team in our group. I have spent over four years with Sunil Chettri and we have been capitalising on his quality and experience for so long. I am confident that he will continue to deliver and he is better shape than ever before. It is still too early to say what we can do because we have so many months to prepare for it. We have a number of friendlies and competitions lined up to get ready for the championship. Hopefully all the players will be fit ahead of time. Most importantly, I hope all the players enjoy their experience at the tournament.
Group C
Amir Ghalenoei - IR Iran Head Coach
We respect all the teams because all the teams who qualified are very strong but we are Iran and we will start strongly. We have big players and have been Asian Cup champions three times but the important thing is we must try and game by game and we will reach our goal.
We respect all the teams because all the teams who qualified are very strong but we are Iran and we will start strongly. We have big players and have been Asian Cup champions three times but the important thing is we must try and game by game and we will reach our goal.
Taco Van Den Velde - United Arab Emirates Head Coach
It is not an easy group. Iran, we know them very well as we played against them twice in the World Cup Qualifiers. We lost both times but just by one goal so we hope to close that gap, which was mostly physical. I know Hong Kong is doing well. I heard very good things about them and the other team is Palestine who I believe are 93 in the (FIFA) ranking and they are moving up. To go to the next stage, we have to be top two in the group and if we win the first match, we will have a great chance to advance.
It is not an easy group. Iran, we know them very well as we played against them twice in the World Cup Qualifiers. We lost both times but just by one goal so we hope to close that gap, which was mostly physical. I know Hong Kong is doing well. I heard very good things about them and the other team is Palestine who I believe are 93 in the (FIFA) ranking and they are moving up. To go to the next stage, we have to be top two in the group and if we win the first match, we will have a great chance to advance.
Jorn Andersen - Hong Kong, China Head Coach
For us, every opponent is a hard one to be pitted against. So we just have to accept what we get. We have got three opponents from West Asia and I dont have much knowledge about them. They play a game that is very different from how it’s played in East Asia. Now we have to analyse their games and make our preparations. All the teams in this competition are very strong and it is always difficult to play high-pressing football against good teams. But we will try our best and see what happens.
For us, every opponent is a hard one to be pitted against. So we just have to accept what we get. We have got three opponents from West Asia and I dont have much knowledge about them. They play a game that is very different from how it’s played in East Asia. Now we have to analyse their games and make our preparations. All the teams in this competition are very strong and it is always difficult to play high-pressing football against good teams. But we will try our best and see what happens.
Makram Daboub - Palestine Head Coach
I think that the draw is balanced, and there are no weak sides among the 24 participating teams. What is important for us is that the team is ready by January, and we are optimistic of getting good results. We will now concentrate on preparing to show our best in the group stage, and get past this stage. Although the group is not easy, we have high hopes but we must be fully focused and in our best condition.
I think that the draw is balanced, and there are no weak sides among the 24 participating teams. What is important for us is that the team is ready by January, and we are optimistic of getting good results. We will now concentrate on preparing to show our best in the group stage, and get past this stage. Although the group is not easy, we have high hopes but we must be fully focused and in our best condition.
Group D
Hajime Moriyasu - Japan Head Coach
We are not in an easy group. Frankly, I don't think there is any easy group. I think we may have the toughest group among all. We should be careful of all teams. I think we should analyse the other teams in our group well so that we can show our strength and hopefully overcome them. You must know that the head coach of Vietnam is Philippe Troussier. He used to be Japan national team head coach. I think he knows the Japanese team very well. I think we should consider that point and be well prepared. Our goal is to be the Asian champions once again. I am delighted to be able to participate in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 which includes the best teams in Asia, in the same venues where the FIFA World Cup was held last year.
We are not in an easy group. Frankly, I don't think there is any easy group. I think we may have the toughest group among all. We should be careful of all teams. I think we should analyse the other teams in our group well so that we can show our strength and hopefully overcome them. You must know that the head coach of Vietnam is Philippe Troussier. He used to be Japan national team head coach. I think he knows the Japanese team very well. I think we should consider that point and be well prepared. Our goal is to be the Asian champions once again. I am delighted to be able to participate in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 which includes the best teams in Asia, in the same venues where the FIFA World Cup was held last year.
Shin Tae-yong - Indonesia Head Coach
Our group is not easy, for sure. I’d say our chances of qualifying to the knockout stage is about 50 per cent but I have a lot of confidence in my team. I would say that facing familiar rivals like Vietnam and Japan is definitely a plus point. So as long as we prepare ourselves well, I am sure we can put up a very strong performance against them. We are the lowest ranked team among all the participants. Therefore, every match for us will be challenging but we will fight till the end. I will keep my boys motivated so that they can give their best in every single match in the competition.
Our group is not easy, for sure. I’d say our chances of qualifying to the knockout stage is about 50 per cent but I have a lot of confidence in my team. I would say that facing familiar rivals like Vietnam and Japan is definitely a plus point. So as long as we prepare ourselves well, I am sure we can put up a very strong performance against them. We are the lowest ranked team among all the participants. Therefore, every match for us will be challenging but we will fight till the end. I will keep my boys motivated so that they can give their best in every single match in the competition.
Jesus Casas - Iraq Head Coach
The Asian Cup is a big tournament and all teams will be very difficult. Japan are the favourites in our group while Vietnam and us, we will have to fight to make the next round. We will start against Indonesia and it is very important not to lose the first game. It will be very hard to win the Asian Cup as there are six or seven very strong teams but our long term target is qualifying for the next World Cup.
The Asian Cup is a big tournament and all teams will be very difficult. Japan are the favourites in our group while Vietnam and us, we will have to fight to make the next round. We will start against Indonesia and it is very important not to lose the first game. It will be very hard to win the Asian Cup as there are six or seven very strong teams but our long term target is qualifying for the next World Cup.
Group E
Jurgen Klinsmann – Korea Republic Head Coach
We are very excited, we are playing against Malaysia, a team with a Korean coach. With Bahrain and Jordan I need to do my homework, I need to watch their games and get familiar with their teams, with their players, with their approach. It’s a huge learning curve for me over the next couple of months but a very exciting one. To have this tournament in Qatar in January 2024, in the venue where the World Cup was just played and it was one of the best World Cups ever – and probably the best final ever – is exciting. I spoke to a lot of my players, they are all over Europe, the play in the K-League, they play in China, they play in Japan and they’re all very excited. We have a strong team. We look at ourselves in the mirror and say we’re going to go to Qatar to win the tournament.
We are very excited, we are playing against Malaysia, a team with a Korean coach. With Bahrain and Jordan I need to do my homework, I need to watch their games and get familiar with their teams, with their players, with their approach. It’s a huge learning curve for me over the next couple of months but a very exciting one. To have this tournament in Qatar in January 2024, in the venue where the World Cup was just played and it was one of the best World Cups ever – and probably the best final ever – is exciting. I spoke to a lot of my players, they are all over Europe, the play in the K-League, they play in China, they play in Japan and they’re all very excited. We have a strong team. We look at ourselves in the mirror and say we’re going to go to Qatar to win the tournament.
Kim Pan-gon - Malaysia Head Coach
It is a very tough group to be placed in. All three of our opponents are very strong and respectable but we will try to compete against them to the best of our ability. Being placed in the same group as Jordan and Bahrain, both from the same region as Qatar is quite tough. Then of course, in Korea Republic, we have one of the best teams in the tournament which will be particularly challenging for us. But I am fairly confident and we will try our best to qualify past the Group Stage and reach the Round of 16. We want to give a strong performance and make the people of Malaysia proud.
It is a very tough group to be placed in. All three of our opponents are very strong and respectable but we will try to compete against them to the best of our ability. Being placed in the same group as Jordan and Bahrain, both from the same region as Qatar is quite tough. Then of course, in Korea Republic, we have one of the best teams in the tournament which will be particularly challenging for us. But I am fairly confident and we will try our best to qualify past the Group Stage and reach the Round of 16. We want to give a strong performance and make the people of Malaysia proud.
Adnan Hamad - Jordan Head Coach
Tthere is a big development in Asian football, so it was expected to have such strong groups. We, the Jordan national team, will aim for a successful tournament as we continue to develop. We know the teams in our group, although we haven't played Korea Republic for a long time but we hope to reach the later stages of the tournament. Jordan alway perform well in tournaments in Qatar, as we were very close to reaching the semi-finals in 2011, despite playing in a tough group against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Tthere is a big development in Asian football, so it was expected to have such strong groups. We, the Jordan national team, will aim for a successful tournament as we continue to develop. We know the teams in our group, although we haven't played Korea Republic for a long time but we hope to reach the later stages of the tournament. Jordan alway perform well in tournaments in Qatar, as we were very close to reaching the semi-finals in 2011, despite playing in a tough group against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Ahmed Alamrei - Bahrain Assistant Coach
I think that the group is balanced and the chances are open for all the teams to qualify for the second round. The preparations start now as we will play friendly matches in the coming international windows. I expected that we would face an Arab team, namely Jordan, who are a good team. We also played against Malaysia in the Asian Cup qualifiers. We last met Korea Republic in the Round of 16 of the Asian Cup 2019 but I think there is chance for all the teams to advance, especially as four of the best third placed teams will also go through.
I think that the group is balanced and the chances are open for all the teams to qualify for the second round. The preparations start now as we will play friendly matches in the coming international windows. I expected that we would face an Arab team, namely Jordan, who are a good team. We also played against Malaysia in the Asian Cup qualifiers. We last met Korea Republic in the Round of 16 of the Asian Cup 2019 but I think there is chance for all the teams to advance, especially as four of the best third placed teams will also go through.
Group F
Ameen M Haidar - Saudi Arabia Assistant Coach
Our group is like any other group, taking into consideration the levels of the teams and the ranking, so everyone has a chance. There will be no pressure on the team, and we will have a new technical staff, and like we made the fans happy at Lusail stadium in the World Cup, we hope we make them happy at Al Bayt Stadium. The Saudi FA is working on the technical side, and in July we will have the new technical team, and we hope that the programme will be at the top level so that the national team will be ready at the start of the tournament.
Our group is like any other group, taking into consideration the levels of the teams and the ranking, so everyone has a chance. There will be no pressure on the team, and we will have a new technical staff, and like we made the fans happy at Lusail stadium in the World Cup, we hope we make them happy at Al Bayt Stadium. The Saudi FA is working on the technical side, and in July we will have the new technical team, and we hope that the programme will be at the top level so that the national team will be ready at the start of the tournament.
Alexandre Polking - Thailand Head Coach
We have a lot of homework to do. We know a little bit about the teams but now we need to do deeper analysis. On paper our biggest challenge is of course, Saudi Arabia, even more so after their fantastic outing at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Their performance was great, especially their win against eventual champions Argentina. We still have eight months left before the tournament and thus, it’s very hard to ascertain which matches will be easy and which ones will be tough. But simply by virtue of being a Pot 4 team, we already knew that we have to perform well every step of the way and do our best to qualify for the next round.
We have a lot of homework to do. We know a little bit about the teams but now we need to do deeper analysis. On paper our biggest challenge is of course, Saudi Arabia, even more so after their fantastic outing at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Their performance was great, especially their win against eventual champions Argentina. We still have eight months left before the tournament and thus, it’s very hard to ascertain which matches will be easy and which ones will be tough. But simply by virtue of being a Pot 4 team, we already knew that we have to perform well every step of the way and do our best to qualify for the next round.
Stefan Tarkovic - Kyrgyz Republic Head Coach
First off all, I think the draw is something you cannot manage. You can't choose the teams. We are in a group with strong teams and for me now, it is about preparing the players and believing in our quality. Kyrgyz Republic made the knockout stage in their debut in 2019 and our hopes are very high as we have different goals now. We will do our best to prepare as well as we can.
First off all, I think the draw is something you cannot manage. You can't choose the teams. We are in a group with strong teams and for me now, it is about preparing the players and believing in our quality. Kyrgyz Republic made the knockout stage in their debut in 2019 and our hopes are very high as we have different goals now. We will do our best to prepare as well as we can.
Branko Ivankovic - Oman Head Coach
I am very proud my team has qualified for the Finals of the Asian Cup. This is the first time we were in the second pot (of the draw). The best way to develop is to play against tough opponents but we will go into the tournament with high ambitions. Saudi Arabia are the favourites and they played well during the World Cup but we played against them twice in the World Cup qualifiers and we played very well against them. Two teams will (automatically) make the next stage and that is our first goal.
I am very proud my team has qualified for the Finals of the Asian Cup. This is the first time we were in the second pot (of the draw). The best way to develop is to play against tough opponents but we will go into the tournament with high ambitions. Saudi Arabia are the favourites and they played well during the World Cup but we played against them twice in the World Cup qualifiers and we played very well against them. Two teams will (automatically) make the next stage and that is our first goal.
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