Japan favourites to retain their Asian Cup title

Singapore, December 31

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The Asian Cup heads to Australia for the first time next month with the scars of a woeful 2014 World Cup for the continent and the recurring problems of match-fixing and swift sackings leaving the tournament wide open.

Holders Japan are favourites to win their fifth continental title but dark clouds hang over their coach Javier Aguirre after he became embroiled in a Spanish match-fixing case dating back to his time as Real Zaragoza boss. The Mexican has denied any wrongdoing but the attention has not helped confidence in Japan, where a mixed start and the exclusion of form players, like forward Takashi Usami, have raised questions about his suitability.

The pressure on Aguirre, though, is nothing like what Ange Postecoglou is under as the hosts welcome Asia’s biggest tournament for the first time since joining the confederation in 2006.

Australia, runners-up in 2011, won only one match in 2014, a friendly triumph over Saudi Arabia, with defensive lapses in the young side a glaring issue as the coach struggles to replace a golden generation which qualified for three consecutive World Cups. — Reuters