AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Draw: Coaches Say Draw Balanced
Doha, May 11 (QNA) - Several coaches said on Thursday that the results of the draw for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, slated to be played from Jan. 12 to Feb. 10, 2024, were satisfactory and balanced. Australia coach Graham Arnold, said he was excited with the draw that placed his side in Group B along with Uzbekistan, Syria and India, stressing his side's aspirations to claim the trophy.
Arnold added they were grouped with good teams, voicing hopes Australia would show an overwhelming appearance.
He added that the tournament would be successful, especially with Qatar's tremendous organizational advantages.
Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu, whose side were grouped alongside Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam, said the draw was balanced. The four-time winners' coach expected the tournament to be the best-ever AFC Asian Cup event, Japan will, particularly after Qatar's unrivaled World Cup hosting.
South Korea manager Jurgen Klinsmann said the tournament comes after Qatar's dazzling World Cup hosting, stressing his side's aspirations to fight for the title of a tough championship.
The German said that South Korea have good players in action in the strongest European leagues, as well as several young players who have great ambition to appear well.
Saudi Arabia assistant coach Mohammad Ameen said that the draw is satisfactory for the team and the chances are equal for all the participating teams. Saudi Arabia were drawn in Group F, along with t Thailand, Oman and Kyrgyzstan. The group is not tough, and restoring a lost title is possible, Amin said, voicing hopes his side would show a good performance as it did in the World Cup and claim the trophy.
Iraq director Mahdi Karim expressed his hope to achieve the best results in the tournament, which placed them in Group D alongside Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Palestine coach Makram Daboub said that his side are able to advance to the knockout stage, highlighting the team's preparation to achieve results that enable them to qualify for the round of 16.
Jordan Adnan Hamad said that the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will be exceptional, highlighting his side's ability to go far in the tournament.
Commenting on his side being grouped with South Korea, Malaysia and Bahrain, the Iraqi manager said that most of the teams have developed greatly and expected a high octane tournament.
All the teams in the group have played against Jordan in the past except for South Korea, but Jordan have chances to reach advanced levels in the Asian Cup, Hamad said.
Jordan always perform well in the tournaments that are held in Qatar, the 62-year-old said, referring to Jordan's campaign in the 2011 edition when they were close to the semi-finals as well as their overwhelming performance in the Arab Cup in 2021.
The event brings together 24 teams divided into six groups of four sides each. The top two placed teams advance to the round of 16, in addition to the best four third-placed teams.
Having hosted the tournament in 1988 and 2011, Qatar will be the first country host the event for three times. Thailand, Iran and UAE hosted the tournament twice apiece. (QNA)
