World Cup 2018: Asia's best combined starting-XI

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The World Cup finally kicks off today

Full-backs:

LB Aziz Behich

Hungary v Australia
Aziz Behich provides a unique threat for the Socceroos

Aziz Behich is coming off the back of a fantastic campaign, in which he appears to finally have cemented his place in the Socceroos' starting-XI.

Struggling for game-time under former Australian manager Ange Postecoglou, the left-back has played every minute for new manager Bert van Marwijk, a logical consequence of his impressive league outings for Turkish side Bursaspor.

Behich scored five goals in 31 matches in the past Süper Lig season and will be looking further increase his value in Russia.


RB: Hiroki Sakai

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Hiroki Sakai's athleticism will cause many teams problems

Another Japanese defender, Hiroki Sakai's energy and athleticism would find a place in any of the Asian teams' line-ups. The full-back currently plays for French outfit Olympique Marseille and could best be described as the ultimate team player.

Japanese players are admired in Europe for their fantastic work-rate and attitude towards the game, and Sakai is no exception. While he may not be the best full-back in the world, the Marseille-man plays with a lot of heart and thereby makes up for some technical shortcomings.

Japan will be hoping that Sakai doesn't only provide defensive stability on his favoured right-hand side, but also poses an attacking threat that can pin opposing wingers back in their own half.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram
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