Japan
Fifa world ranking: 50
Ranking in Asia: 3
Previous Asian Cups: 8
Best performance: Champions (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
2015 Asian Cup: Quarter-finals
Nickname: Samurai Blue
Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
Captain: Maya Yoshida
Player to watch: Takumi Minamino
Fixtures: January 9 v Turkmenistan (Abu Dhabi); January 13 v Oman (Abu Dhabi);
January 17 v Uzbekistan (Al Ain)
Since the heartbreaking loss to Belgium that ended their World Cup dream in the last 16 last July, Japan have been in prolific form on a five-match unbeaten streak under new manager Moriyasu.
The former Under 23 manager had enough talent at his disposal that he was able to leave Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki and Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa out of his squad.
Japan should have more than enough firepower to top Group F and are likely to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the tournament.
Oman
Fifa world ranking: 82
Ranking in Asia: 10
Previous Asian Cups: 3
Best performance: Group stage (2004, 2007, 2015)
2015 Asian Cup: Group stage
Nickname: The Reds
Manager: Pim Verbeek
Captain: Ahmed Mubarak
Player to watch: Ahmed Mubarak
Fixtures: January 9 v Uzbekistan (Sharjah); January 13 v Japan (Abu Dhabi); January 17 v Turkmenistan (Abu Dhabi)
Under former Australia manager Pim Verbeek, Oman won the keenly contested Gulf Cup of Nations title in early 2018 and take confidence from that performance and several other strong showings throughout the rest of the year into the Asian Cup.
Oman have never advanced beyond the group phase of the continental championship in their previous three involvements in the competition, but the pragmatic Verbeek has built a resolute side that mixes youth and experience in equal measure.
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Turkmenistan
Fifa world ranking: 127
Ranking in Asia: 25
Previous Asian Cups: 1
Best performance: Group Stage (2004)
2015 Asian Cup: Did not qualify
Nickname: Emeralds
Manager: Yazguly Hojageldyyew
Captain: Arslanmyrat Amanov
Player to watch: Altymyrat Annadurdyyew
Fixtures: January 9 v Japan (Abu Dhabi); January 13 v Uzbekistan (Dubai); January 17 v Oman (Abu Dhabi)
Turkmenistan return to the Asian Cup finals for the first time since 2004, when they were eliminated on their debut appearance at the end of the group phase.
Coached by Yazguly Hojageldyyew and built around the Altyn Asyr side that reached the 2018 AFC Cup final, Turkmenistan secured their place at the finals by finishing second in their qualifying group behind Bahrain.
Uzbekistan
Fifa world ranking: 95
Ranking in Asia: 14
Previous Asian Cups: 6
Best performance: Fourth place (2011)
2015 Asian Cup: Quarter-finals
Nickname: White Wolves
Manager: Hector Cuper
Captain: Odil Ahmedov
Player to watch: Odiljon Xamrobekov
Fixtures: January 9 v Oman (Sharjah); January 13 v Turkmenistan (Dubai); January 17 v Japan (Al Ain)
Uzbekistan's neat passing game has made them Asian Cup regulars since the nation emerged from the Soviet Union and they will be looking to finally go a step further than their single semi-final spot in 2011 under former Valencia and Egypt manager Hector Cuper.
Versatile midfielder Odiljon Xamrobekov was the standout player when the White Wolves won the Under 23 Asian Cup in January and he will no doubt feature somehwere in Cuper's side.
The Uzbeks did not enjoy a stellar 2018 otherwise but should have enough quality to get out of Group F, even if it is behind four-times champions Japan.
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