5 international tournaments to look forward to in 2019

#4 AFC Asian Cup

Australia won their first Asian Cup in 2015

Asian teams impressed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and that should make the local championships really interesting to watch.

20 years ago, there weren't many superstars from Asia, but the quality of football in the region has gone through a rapid rise, which has brought us players like Son Heung-min and Shinji Kagawa. The addition of Australia has also helped Asian football grow.

The Socceroos are also the title defenders at the tournament which takes place in the United Arab Emirates on January 5 - February 1.

There will be 24 teams in action following an expansion from a 16-team format. 16 previous editions have seen only eight teams winning it, but the last three tournaments have all seen a different winner, so the competition is fierce and many look capable of taking the crown.

Last two winners have been decided in extra-time, so we should gear up for some great drama.

The final in 2015 was one of the most epic finals ever in international competition when Son scored an injury-time equalizer for South Korea before James Troisi netted the winner for Australia just before the break in extra-time.