Qatar 2011 AFC Asian Cup: Schedule & Predictions

The 2011 AFC Asian Cup is scheduled for January 7-29 in the Arab state of Qatar. The event is the third most significant soccer competition in the world, behind only the World Cup and European championship. Notable former winners of this prestigious competition include Japan (3), Iran (3), South Korea (2), and defending champion Iraq. The preliminary phase is consisted of 16 teams, divided evenly into 4 different groups. The top two teams from each group will reach the knockout stage. This article offers predictions and schedule information for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

When Qatar was selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup beating out the likes of United States and Australia, the decision was and still is a highly controversial one. How will Qatar (a country of less than two million people) be able to stage a grand sporting event like the World Cup? How will players and spectators cope with the Arabian heat? The 2011 Asian Cup is a great opportunity for host Qatar to settle these concerns once and for all.

Among the favorites to win this year's Asian Cup is Japan. The 3-time champion earns international notice after a superb performance at the 2010 World Cup, reaching the knockout stage for only the second time in its history. More impressively, the team was able to accomplish this feat by beating strong teams like Denmark and Cameroon. Japan is expected to field its most formidable squad at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Notable Japanese players to take part in the tournament include WC hero Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), in-form Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund), Schalke's Atsuto Uchida, and reigning Asian Player of the Year Yasuhito Endo. The Land of the Rising Sun is known for its excellent midfielders and accurate passing.

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South Korea is another strong contender for the Asian Cup crown. Although S. Korea has been the best Asian performer on the world stage, the team's record at this event does not reflect its overall success. The country has won the Cup only two times, compared to its enviable Asian record of eight consecutive WC appearances. In term of style, South Korea is known for its strong collective play and robust conditioning. This makes the team a prime candidate for Total Football, which it has used to great effect. Like Japan, South Korea will also field its best squad (to be led by Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung) at the event.

The wild card at the 2011 Asian Cup is Australia. Although the team has only been admitted to the AFC recently, the country has already made quite a regional impact with a strong showing at the 2007 tournament. The Socceroos will look to win their first ever Asian Cup in their only second attempt. Other dark horses at this tournament include traditional Middle Eastern powerhouses like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Countries in the Middle East have historically performed well at this event, winning 6 straight Cups at one point. Even though this year's teams are not as strong as those in the past, they may still give the top favorites a run for their money.

My prediction for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup: Japan wins its fourth Cup; host Qatar fails to reach the knockout stage. The event is scheduled for January 7-29. The games will be played at six different venues in Qatar. The group stage is set for January 7-19; the knockout stage begins on January 21 and ends with the final on January 29. The 16 participating teams are Qatar, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, China, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, India, and North Korea.