Those standing in the way of Korea's success

Maya Yoshida of Japan

Japan, Iran, Australia picked as favorites of the Asian Cup

By John Duerden

Like fans in many countries preparing for a major tournament, South Korean supporters reading domestic media could sometimes be forgiven for thinking that the Asian Cup featured just six teams: the Taeguk Warriors themselves, North Korea and Japan as well as Group A opponents Australia, Kuwait and Oman.

There's ten more besides and a few that could stand in the way of Uli Stielike's men and success in the latter stages of the tournament.

But Japan and Australia are the two teams that present the greatest threat to South Korea winning a third continental title and a first since 1960. The East Asian rival is not just that but the defending champion and looking for a fifth triumph in the past seven tournaments.

Like South Korea, the Samurai Blue has its issues. The team had a dreadful World Cup and also has a new coach, Javier Aguirre. Performances under the Mexican have been mixed and the fact that he is under investigation for match-fixing during his time in Spain in 2011 does not help. The pressure is on the boss.

Fortunately, he has his stars to help out. As well as the new coach, the major difference between the Japan that headed into the 2014 World Cup and the one preparing for the 2015 Asian Cup is top players like Keisuke Honda, with AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa and Maya Yoshida of Southampton are playing regularly for their clubs and playing well. The defense still offers hope.

Server Djeparov of Uzbekistan

Australia has won just three of its last 18 games, and these victories came against Costa Rica, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Such form has seen the Socceroos slip from 56 a year ago to 100 in FIFA's rankings. That does not tell the full story however. Most of the poor results have come against top-class opposition such as in the 2014 World Cup when Australia performed much better than the three defeats suggest.

Still, this is not the team of 2010 or 2006, one full of battle-hardened European veterans. Now, apart from the 35 year-old, and still hugely dangerous, Tim Cahill, this is a relatively fresh Australian team. It may lack the experience of its predecessors but it will have a huge home advantage. The Socceroos are hard to beat at home especially against Asian teams.

And then there's Iran. Another big rival for South Korea. Amazingly, the two teams have met at the quarterfinal stage of every Asian Cup since 1996, with three wins going Seoul's way and two to Tehran. This time, the pair can't meet before the semifinal stage. Iran, after a reasonably satisfying World Cup, has kept coach Carlos Quieroz, a man who has engineered the “Persians” to three consecutive wins over Korea. The former Real Madrid coach has an experienced team well-organized and tough to beat.

That's the big four and then there are perhaps four others in with a shout. Uzbekistan came within a goal of taking South Korea's place at the 2014 World Cup, something that, with hindsight, would have been a positive development. Led by former FC Seoul and Seongnam star Server Djeparov, the Central Asians have a balanced and experienced squad.

A little less so are United Arab Emirates and Qatar. These two teams are relatively young but improving all the time. Qatar was Asia's best performer of 2014, winning the West Asian Championships and then the Gulf Cup, helped by a number of foreign-born players from the Middle East and Africa who have been naturalized.

Saudi Arabia has appeared in six finals in the past three decades but has fallen from grace a little in recent years. This young team has attacking talent however and if it finds its form, then could go far. But then, you could say the same about most teams in what is looking to be a very open tournament.

John Duerden writes for the Guardian, BBC Radio 5, ESPN, World Football magazine and the Associated Press. He also contributes to the New York Times and Daily Telegraph. He can be reached at john.duerden@gmail.com.