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The 2019 AFC Asian Cup will start on 5th January with the hosts, UAE, locking horns against Bahrain at the Zayed Sports Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The 24 qualified teams have been divided into six groups of four teams each, with the winners and runners-up advancing to the knockout stages.
The third-place team, too, can qualify for the Round of 16 if they finish in the top four amongst the six best third-placed teams.
Going by the FIFA Rankings, the two highest ranked team shouldn't find it tough to advance to the next stage. However, we have all seen astonishing group stage send-offs in major tournaments, with Germany's ouster at the 2018 FIFA World Cup being the most recent one.
Also Read: Official slogans for all the AFC Asian Cup 2019 teams announced
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This coming year at UAE, do expect the minnows to upset the giants and send them home early. Here are five teams who could make a shocking group stage exit in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Group A- India (Current FIFA rank- 97)
Note: The figures in the bracket indicate the FIFA ranking of the senior teams.
India is placed in Group A of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup alongside UAE, Thailand, and Bahrain. The Blue Tigers are currently ranked 97, with the hosts being the only country ranked higher than them. But, they cannot underestimate Thailand and Bahrain who are equally dangerous.
Bahrain (113) has held China (76), Palestine (99), and Philippines (116) to a draw in this calendar year. Thailand (118), on the other hand, hasn't lost a single match since their 0-2 loss to China at home on 2nd June.
Beating the then 90th ranked Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 at home and staying undefeated in the recently concluded AFF Cup are some commendable performances the War Elephants would be taking inspiration from.
India's only spirited performance in 2018 has been the 0-0 draw against China away from home.
Apart from the loss against Jordan and Kyrgyz Republic, they haven't yet faced oppositions of the caliber of UAE, Thailand, and Bahrain in 2018. They will cross swords with Oman on 27th December but, the canceled friendly against Syria could prove to be a dent in their preparations.
Also Read: 5 Reasons why India not playing Syria friendly is Bad News
Group B- Syria (Current FIFA rank- 74)
Syria is grouped alongside Australia, Jordan, and Palestine in Group B of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Jordan (109) and Palestine (99) are ranked below the 74th-ranked war-torn nation, but the West-Asian neighbours can outfox them on their given day.
Syria has only won two matches- 2-1 over Kuwait (158) and 1-0 over Bahrain (113)- in 2018, with losses against quality oppositions China (76) and Kyrgyz Republic (91) affecting their preparations drastically.
They have held Qatar (93), Uzbekistan (95), Oman (82), and Iraq (88) to a draw, but they should aim for victory against Jordan and Palestine if they want to advance to the next stage.
Jordan, on the other hand, are in full swing with their preparations. They even faced World Cup runners-up Croatia and wouldn't mind losing 2-1 to them.
Apart from defeating Cyprus (83), Kuwait (158), and India (97), they have held Saudi Arabia (69), Albania (60), Oman (82), and Vietnam (100) in 2018. Losses to Finland (58), Lebanon (81), and Kyrgyz Republic (91) shouldn't hurt their preparations.
Palestine's preparations aren't bad either. They have held Kyrgyz Republic (91), Bahrain (113), China (76), and Iraq (88) in 2018.
Group C- China (Current FIFA rank- 76)
China is grouped alongside South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, and Philippines in the 2019 AFC Cup. Despite ranked above Kyrgyzstan (91), the Red Dragons can have a run for their money in their match.
Apart from victories against Syria (74), Myanmar (139) and Thailand (118), the Red Dragons haven't won any match against Asian oppositions in 2018. They, in fact, lost to Qatar (93) and were held by Bahrain (113), India (97), and Palestine (99).
Japan (50) is the only Asian side Kyrgyzstan has been beaten by in 2018. The White Falcons have defeated India (97), Myanmar (139), Syria (74), Malaysia (167), and Jordan (109), and held Palestine (99) to a draw.
Kyrgyz Republic can very well upset China in Group C. If China gets overwhelmed by South Korea and manages to pick up a win over Philippines, they would be only left with three points. If it pans out like that, they can be on their way to home.
Group D- Vietnam (Current FIFA rank- 100)
Vietnam is grouped alongside Iran, Iraq, and Yemen in Group D of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The Golden Dragons are undefeated in 2018.
However, other than a draw against Jordan and two victories over Philippines, they haven't faced a single country who has qualified in the continental extravaganza.
The AFF Suzuki Cup victory might give a false sense of complacency to Vietnam as none of the teams in the tournament were ranked as high as Iran (29) and Iraq (88). They might eke out a victory over Yemen as they would be making their first appearance in the tournament.
However, it would leave them with only three points which shouldn't be enough to take them through.
Vietnam will be facing Korea DPR and Philippines in the run-up to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. If they fail to get a positive result out of those matches, their chances to qualify to the next round would become meagre.
Group F- Uzbekistan (Current FIFA rank- 95)
Uzbekistan (95) has been grouped alongside Japan, Oman, and Turkmenistan in the Group F of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Japan (50) and Oman (82) are ranked above them whereas Turkmenistan (127) is below them.
They might get away with a victory against lowly-ranked Turkmenistan, but picking up a point against Japan and Oman would be extremely tough. The White Wolves haven't won a single match away from home in 2018.
Recently, they were held by Lebanon (81) 0-0 and hammered by South Korea (53) 4-0 in Australia. Like Vietnam and China, they too might sneak away with a victory against the lowest-ranked side of the group. However, it might not be enough for them to progress to the next round.
Do you agree with our list? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and, tell us your opinion as to which other teams will make a shocking group-stage exit.
