They say the best is left until last and that may be the case in Group D, with the final Asian Cup group featuring the past two champions.
Asian powerhouses Japan come to Australia as defending champions after prevailing against the 2015 hosts at the end of extra-time four years ago in Doha. Iraq defied the odds to win the 2007 tournament held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The successful duo are the only proven teams in the group, with Jordan and minnows Palestine, who qualified for their maiden Asian Cup via the AFC Challenge Cup final in May.
The favourites Japan, Iraq
After failing to meet expectations at the World Cup in June-July, four-time champions Japan are tipped to go the all the way Down Under. Viewed as an outsider to reach the…
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has congratulated Real Madrid on the La Liga title after the Catalan side s 2-1 defeat at Camp Nou.
Goals from Sami Khedira and Cristiano Ronaldo gave Jose Mourinho s men a commanding seven-point lead at the top of the table, and Guardiola has been quick to offer praise to Real.
First of all, congratulations to Madrid, for the win and the league title they have confirmed today, Guardiola said after the match.
I wouldn t change my players for anything. These players have been in this situation and have shown they can get up.
Guardiola felt that his side dealt well with the attacking prowess of Madrid, but conceded that they did not do enough to win the game.
We controlled Madrid s counterattacks pretty well, they …
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back in training with the Milan squad ahead of the Serie A leaders trip to Genoa on Wednesday.
The Swedish striker has not featured for his club since coming off with a hamstring injury during a 3-1 win away at Napoli on November 22.
Ibrahimovic scored twice in that game to take his tally for the season into double figures – he has managed 10 goals in Serie A in just six appearances so far this campaign.
However, Milan have not missed him too much during his absence, recording league wins over Fiorentina and Sampdoria prior to Sunday s home draw with Parma.
Coach Stefano Pioli had said prior to the 2-2 result at San Siro that Ibrahimovic would hopefully be able to return for the midweek game against Genoa.
As Mi…
The Mail Online understand that new Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will decide on whether on not Willian will be offered a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
The thirty year old, who has just one year remaining on his current deal is about to return to the club after helping Brazil win the Copa America, after he was added to the squad as a replacement for Neymar.
Lampard and Willian played together for one season before the former moved to Manchester City, and then to the MLS.
In total, Willian has racked up close to three hundred appearances in all competitions since signing from Anzhi Makhachkala, scoring fifty-two goals.
He has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and most recently the Europa League while he was named the club s Pla…
Romelu Lukaku can turn Timo Werner into the goal machine Chelsea always thought the German would become, according to Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues £97.5million investment in Lukaku, a player they offloaded to Everton for £28m seven years ago, has been one of the most eye-catching transfers of the window.
After starring with Inter and Belgium, Lukaku looks to be in the prime years of his career, ready to transfer his own scoring form from Serie A to the Premier League.
He could make his second Chelsea debut at Arsenal on Sunday, and head coach Tuchel sees Lukaku bringing his influence to bear across the Chelsea frontline, including spurring on Werner to improve on his ho-hum first year in English football.
This can be a big upgrade for him, to have Romelu, …
It appears that, if Lionel Messi has his way, he will be playing for a new club before long.
The Barcelona captain and talisman told his employers he wanted to leave and, although the club won the battle in the previous transfer window, they may end up losing the war.
Messi is now entering the final six months of his contract and, unless a new deal is agreed soon, he could become perhaps the most sensational free transfer of all time in 2021.
Of course, tempting Messi away from Barca is by no means straightforward. His basic salary is said to be roughly €71million and, when you add in bonuses and other possible commitments, that represents a huge outlay on a player who turns 34 next June. Only a handful of clubs are even capable of pulling off such a deal, part…
Harry Kane scored twice to surpass the 400-goal mark for his senior career and guide Bayern Munich to a 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
The Bavarians, who saw Bayer Leverkusen end their 11-year-Bundesliga reign by securing the league crown two weeks ago, have only the Champions League trophy to fight for with departing coach Thomas Tuchel eager to leave on a high note.
Bayern warmed up for Tuesday s semi-final first leg against Real Madrid with three points at the Allianz Arena, denting Eintracht s hopes of European qualification in the process.
They went in front with Kane tapping in after a fine run from Konrad Laimer in the ninth minute, though the Austrian had to be taken off injured later on.
Eintracht levelled in the 23r…
Cristiano Ronaldo was named in Portugal s starting XI for their World Cup opener against Ghana at Stadium 974 in Doha.
After his inflammatory interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo left Manchester United by mutual agreement on Tuesday.
That means the 37-year-old is a free agent, and if he needs to remind anyone of his qualities ahead of the January transfer window, he has the chance to do so in Qatar.
Fernando Santos saw no issue in bringing Ronaldo into his team for Portugal s first Group F game on Thursday, with the striker spearheading an attack that also included Porto winger Otavio and Atletico Madrid s Joao Felix.
Ronaldo is aiming to become the first player to score at five different World Cups.
A ! Este é o nosso 11 Inicial para hoje!
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Hamburger SV sporting director Frank Arnesen has revealed that star forward Heung-Min Son will be offered a new deal at Imtech Arena.
The 20-year-old has been in scintillating form this season, which led to clubs like Liverpool and West Ham express interest in his services.
Given that the forward has less than two years left on his deal with the club, Hamburger officials are eager to tie Son to a new long-term deal.
“We should have the issue finished before the end of the season,” sporting director Frank Arnesen . “We will begin talks during the winter break.”
The German club aim to offer the player a new and improved contract that will keep him at the club until June 2016.
The South Korean began his professional career at Hamburg, after …
Argentine giants Velez Sarsfield have admitted they are in contact with Benfica regarding the sale of winger Ivan Bella.
The 23-year-old has been in scintillating form this season and is widely tipped to move to Europe in the near future.
Newcastle are believed to be following the talented midfielder, but Benfica are also reported to be showing interest.
Velez Sarsfield vice-president Julio Baldomar has now confirmed the Portuguese club have made the initial steps in an attempt to sign Ivan Bella.
“Currently, we have not received an official proposal, but we are in constant contact,” Baldomar explained to O Jogo.
“We have talked on several occasions, and if they express desire to buy Ivan, they will certainly communicate it officially.”