2019 Asian Cup Group F: Teams, fixtures and key players

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. 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. _____________ Read more on 2019 Asian Cup: 2019 Asian Cup: Groups, teams, tickets and all you need to know Bernd Stange counting on Syria fans to carry team through 2019 Asian Cup group phase Jan Kocian wants Yemen to dream of big victories at 2019 Asian Cup Aref Al Awani: Legacy for UAE football will come from Asian Cup Celtic asked that he be rested: Arnold on why Rogic did not play for Australia against Oman Sven-Goran Eriksson's New Year wish to grow interest in football in Philippines In pictures: Australia thrash Oman 5-0 in Dubai friendly ahead of 2019 Asian Cup _____________ 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. 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. ______________ More on Asian Cup: Football fans attending AGL games to get tickets to 2019 Asian Cup matches In pictures: Syria's footballers get big reception in Sharjah ahead of Asian Cup Al Ain's Fifa Club World Cup success can be inspiration for UAE at Asian Cup Asian Cup arrives in the UAE: Emirates flies trophy from Japan to Dubai Lowdown on 2019 Asian Cup being hosted by UAE in January-February Omar Abdulrahman injury hits UAE hard and deprives event of a star

2019 Asian Cup Group F: Teams, fixtures and key players

A breakdown of the teams in Group F – Japan, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – and what we can expect from each at the January 5-February 1 tournament