Former England international goalkeeper, Ian Walker played for Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers. In 2012 he moved to China to become goalkeeper coach of Shanghai Shenhua, before crossing the city divide to join Shanghai SIPG in 2014. In Walks the Walk he talks football and China. Follow him on Twitter: @IanWalks1
The Asian Cup will take place in Australia from January 9 to 31, and China managed to sneak in as the best third-placed team of the five qualifying groups (pipping Lebanon by just one on goal difference). Not the most auspicious start. Drawn in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and North Korea (all kick offs below in Beijing Standard Time), we take a look at their chances…
The Opponents
Saudi Arabia
Jan 10, 5pm, Brisbane
First up, three-time Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia (1984, 1988, 1996), who topped China’s group in qualifying. Ranked 75th in the world, they draw their entire squad from domestically clubs. There is a strong contingent from 2014 Asian Champions League (ACL) finalists Al-Hilal, including Nasser Al-Shamrani. You may remember him as the guy who, after defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers, spat on opponent Matthew Spiranovic, before attempting to headbutt him. As a result of his conduct, the 31-year-old was handed an eight match ACL ban by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). A lovely boy.
Nasser Al-Shamran: Let's his saliva do the talking
Uzbekistan
Jan 14, 5pm, Brisbane
Next up is the mighty Uzbekistan. It might sound like we were being sarcastic there (okay, we were being sarcastic there) but at 55th in the world, the Uzbeks are actually the highest ranked team in the group - and rank higher than 2014 World Cup qualifiers South Korea (60) and Australia (63). They also boast captain Server Djeparov of Korean side Seongnam, who has 23 goals for his country, defender Vitaliy Denisov of Lokomotiv Moscow and Anzur Ismailov, who we know all about because he plies his trade at Changchun Yatai, right?! Some real household names in there…
Vitaliy Denisov: He's a bit of a ball-watcher
North Korea
Jan 18, 5pm, Canberra
Last up is North Korea, ranked a lowly 133rd in the world. They do have 30-year-old Jong Tae-Se, though. With 33 goals in 15 games for the national team, no one can argue with his strike rate. He is most famous, however, for blubbing away when the North Korean national anthem is played before matches, most notably when the DPRK played their first game of the 2010 World Cup against Brazil. We’d also discourage any American journalists from approaching North Korean players over the duration of the tournament - it has been clearly established they are not happy with The Interview technique.
Jong Tae-Se: Has a very impressive (water)work rate
Team China
Ranked 98th in the world, the Chinese national team has long faced the derision of 1.3 billion frustrated fans. With the arrival of new coach Frenchman Alain Perrin last year, however, they have embarked on an unprecedented 10-match unbeaten run, including wins against Kuwait, Thailand, Paraguay, Oman and Kyrgyzstan (twice!) Here are four players to watch.
Wang Dalei
The youngest professional goalkeeper in Chinese football history when he made his debut at 17, Wang broke the transfer record for an Asian goalkeeper when he moved from Shanghai Shenhua to Shandong Luneng for RMB27 million in January 2014. We can guarantee this guy’s quality. Why? He was an Ian Walker protégé back at Shenhua!
Zheng Zhi
Captain fantastic and part of the all-conquering Guangzhou Evergrande team of recent years, the 34-year-old midfielder has played for Charlton Athletic in the EPL (making his debut against Manchester United, no less) and Scottish giants Celtic, as well as scoring 15 goals in his 80 caps for China.
Gao Lin
Considered one of China's most technical strikers, Gao is known by the nickname ‘Gaolinsmann,’ in honor of German Jürgen. Another member of the Guangzhou Evergrande team to lift the 2013 ACL trophy, he has scored 53 in 132 games for them, but only managed 18 in 78 for China. Time to do it on the highest level, Gao!
Wu Lei
The youngest person to have played in a professional Chinese football match at just 14 years and 287 days, the 23-year-old is known as ‘China's Maradona’ for his knack of scoring goals as an attacking midfielder. It is ridiculous to compare anyone to Maradona, but we’ll let it slide. Because he plays for the might Shanghai SIPG.
The bookies favorites
Australia 2/1, Japan 3/1, South Korea 6/1, Iran 8/1, Uzbekistan 20/1, UAE 25/1, China 35/1, Saudi Arabia 50/1
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