Teams profiles: AFC Asian Cup championship

QATAR
After winning the right to host the 2022 World Cup, a strong performance at the Asian Cup in front of their home crowd is just what Qatar need to further boost football's popularity and strength. Can they capitalise on a watershed year?

UZBEKISTAN
Emerging as something of an Asian Cup dark horse in recent years with consecutive appearances in the quarter-final of the competition, Uzbekistan have every reason to believe they can make an impact in Doha. Drawn alongside the hosts, Kuwait and China they have an excellent chance of emerging from their group and improving the reputation of a team that played their first ever international in 1992 after the fall of the Soviet Union

CHINA
Chinese football is a sore subject for some locals. The country is still trying to find enough talented players to earn some respectable results on the international scene. In 2010, the rebuilding project is under way, after some Chinese Football Association (CFA) officials, referees, club presidents and even former players have been sent to jail for corruption and match-fixing. A couple of encouraging results in the AFC Cup 2011 are needed to regain the fans' confidence.

KUWAIT
Kuwait won their sole Asian Cup trophy back in 1980 when they hosted the tournament, finishing runners-up four years prior and third four years later.

Despite not being instantly recognised as one of the continent's powers, Kuwait boast plenty of pedigree, especially given they've won 10 of the 20 Gulf Cups that have been played (including this year's edition in Yemen).

The beginnings of football in Kuwait can be traced back to 1932, when Kuwaiti merchants, who were working between India and Kuwait, brought the game with them. Suffice to say it has changed markedly since then...

SAUDI ARABIA
One of Asian football's constants and a powerhouse by virtue of their consistency at the Asian Cup and contributions to the game of football within their region.

With 153 clubs in Saudi Arabia across different levels, there's plenty of talent to chose from for manager Jose Peseiro, whose job appears to be on the line in Qatar after his side failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 20 years.

The Saudis have a proud record in this tournament, champions three times and runners up as many occasions, including four years ago when they were beaten by underdogs Iraq in the final.

JAPAN
Under Italian manager Alberto Zaccheroni, they are looking to build on a successful World Cup in South Africa. Wins against Argentina, Paraguay and a draw with South Korea in Seoul in the build-up to the Asian Cup are encouraging, but Qatar will be a real test for Zaccheroni.

JORDAN
Participating in the Asian Cup for only the second time in their history, after they qualified for the quarter-finals in China in 2004 under Egyptian manager Mahmoud El Gohary; the Jordanians missed out on a semi-final berth after being knocked out on penalties by Japan.

With a relatively inexperienced squad and Japan and Saudi Arabia for company during the group stages, they are one of the rank outsiders in Qatar. They've confounded the odds before, though...

SYRIA
Back in the Asian Cup after a 14-year absence, this is a nation who have a complex history, but who have never qualified for a World Cup despite being one of the first teams in their region to attempt to make the final tournament.

For three years between 1958 and 1961 they combined with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic national team, though those records are attributed solely to Egypt by Fifa.

SOUTH KOREA
The seed was planted for South Korean football with the co-hosting of the 2002 World Cup and the Taegeuk Warriors' memorable run to the semi-final. Young players like Lee Chung-yong (22, Bolton), Ki Sung-yueng (21, Celtic) and Son Heung-min (18, Hamburg) now ply their trade in Europe and will lead the country into a promising future.

Meanwhile, there is no shortage of prospective talent in Asia, where Koo Ja-chul (21, Jeju United), Yun Bitgaram (20, Gyeongnam), Hong Jung-ho (21, Jeju United), Lee Seung-ryul (21, FC Seoul), Ji Dong-won (19, Chunnam Dragons) and Kim Bo-kyung (21, Oita Trinita) reside.

AUSTRALIA
One of the heavyweights of Asian football despite a very recent introduction to the continent, Australia boast a core of established European stars. Battle hardened is probably the best way to describe players of the ilk of Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill, nearing the end of their careers but boasting invaluable experience and consistency. They lead the country into only their second Asian Cup with the hope of scoring a major international trophy before their respective careers end.

BAHRAIN
One of Asia's most rapidly-improving national teams, Bahrain's national competition may be considered weak when stacked up against the might of the J-League and K-League, but the discovering of a number of young talents in recent years and the success of overseas-based players have made that a moot point.

Competing at their third consecutive Asian Cup, it is a notable achievement for a country on the rise; a strong showing at the tournament itself would only add to a growing reputation, though preparation has been disrupted by the loss of a hugely-experienced manager, injuries and a disastrous Gulf Cup campaign.

INDIA
Once a prominent force on the continent and the country which “taught football to Asia” according to Asian Football Confederation president Mohammad Bin Hammam, the glory years are well and truly over for India.

IRAN
It's been over three decades since Iran's dominance of Asian football ended, marking their third consecutive Asian Cup victory but also their last (in 1976).

UAE
Always likely to provide strong opposition for whoever they come up against, the UAE have only once failed to qualify for the Asian Cup since 1980. The 1990 World Cup appearance remains one of the proudest moments in the country's football history, while they won their first ever Gulf Cup back in 2007.

Abu Dhabi's recent hosting of the Fifa Club World Cup and Fabio Cannavaro's move to Al Ahli means this is a part of the football world attracting more and more attention.

NORTH KOREA
Having qualified for their first World Cup in 44 years, one would think that the DPR Korea's footballing world would be in a pleasant mood. In fact the team's first round exit apparently prompted great rancour back in Pyongyang, resulting in the dismissal of the then-coach and a new look for the national team.

IRAQ
Reigning champions of Asia and a West Asian powerhouse, against the backdrop of war they stunned the world in 2007 when they won the Asian Cup.

That isn't the only trophy in the Iraq cabinet though, with three Gulf Cups, a Western Asian Football Championship, Asian Games gold medal and five AFC Youth Championships sitting alongside it. This is a country that, although perhaps not widely recognised until three years ago, has plenty of football pedigree.

Chances are they won't be considered one of the favourites this time around but 2007 is a lesson that Iraq are a team not to be written off.