United Arab Emirates

Hosts of this years AFC Asian Cup, United Arab Emirates are hopeful of going all the way in the competition.

Back in 1996 when they last hosted the competition, they finished second after losing in the final on penalties to Saudi Arabia.

They come into the competition ranked 79th and their form is very hit and miss. In the last six games they have won two, drawn two and lost two.

Will the UAE be able to sort themselves out in time?

Thailand

Currently ranked 118th in the world, Thailand face a massive task of even escaping the groups.

Their best performance was in the 1972 competition where they placed in a respectable third place.

Thailand prove to be one of the best teams in South East Asia but have struggled when it come to the rest of Asia, with their “Golden Generation” reaching their final peak, is it their year to show they can compete with the big teams?

India

India enjoyed their qualification group winning four out of the six games and topping the group.

Star player Sunil Chhetri will lead the line upfront and India will be hoping he can captain them through to the knockout stages.

India failed to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, however, their best finish was back in 1964 where they finished runners up.

Bahrain

Having only reached the group stages last year, Bahrain will be pushing on to reach the next round.

Coming into the competition ranked 113th they aren’t favourites but are still a decent enough side.

They have enjoyed success in recent years finishing fourth in 2004.

They come into the competition in good form winning their past three friendlies in preparation.

How far can Bahrain make it?

Predictions

I believe this group will be one of the more closer ones in the competition and therefore I think a third place finish might be enough in this group.

Coming in at first place I can’t look past the UAE, they want to impress in this competition and are setting the bar high by aiming to win it.

In second I believe it will be Thailand who will just edge it. For me they enjoyed qualification, have a really strong team, and after losing the South East Asia title to Vietnam they will want to put on a show.

India I believe will finish in third but could easily finish in second. Both India and Thailand are strong teams and could be separated marginally.

Finally, in fourth place is Bahrain, for me they are the weakest in the group. They could surprise a few people as they aren’t too far off where they are needed to be but they have been drawn into a very difficult group.

Key Players

UAE, Omar Abdulrahman, one of the best and most exciting players in Asia right now, able to play on the wings or through the middle he is threat to any team with his natural ability.

Thailand, Chanathip Songkrasin, another attacking midfielder and winger he possesses the ability to dribble and bring others into the game. He is also very good at long fame shots.

India, Sunil Chhetri, he is known as “captain fantastic” for a reason, the striker has netted 65 goals in 104 caps for India and will look to continue this in the upcoming competition.

Bahrain, Faouzi Aaish, originally of Morocco he declared fir the Bahrain national side and since scored 19 goals in 103 appearances from the left of midfield.

There is my preview of group A in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, who do you think will advance from group A?