Asian Cup 2019: Will many records be broken?
(Baonghean.vn) - With the increase in the number of teams from 16 to 24, the number of matches will increase, and the tournament's records have a chance to be broken. In addition, the increasing number of Asian players moving to Europe to play means that the professional quality, especially the number of goals scored at the Asian Cup, is likely to improve.
The top scorer with the most goals in history.
For 39 years, the record for most goals scored in the Asian Cup has remained under the wing of Behtash Fariba of Iran and Choi Soon-ho of South Korea, set in 1980 with 7 goals each; no player has surpassed this milestone.
This year, with a larger number of participating teams (from 16 to 24) and more matches, it is hoped that a new top scorer will emerge, with the most goals in history.
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| Which of these names will shine? Photo: Fox Sports Asia |
All hopes rest on names that have recently made a name for themselves on European and Asian football pitches. Most notably, 26-year-old Alireza Jahanbakhsh, a winger for Brighton & Hove Albion and the Iranian national team, stands out. He has played for the Iranian U20 and U23 teams and participated in the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2018 World Cup.
Next up is 27-year-old Hwang Ui-jo, a South Korean international who plays as a forward for Gamba Osaka in the J1 League and the South Korean national football team. He is being supported by South Korean star Son Heung-min, who is thriving at Tottenham Hotspur and with the South Korean national team.
In addition, there's young striker Akram Afif (Qatar). Renowned writer Gabirel Tan, writing for Fox Sports Asia, believes that the 23-year-old's presence will transform Qatar from an underdog into a serious contender for the championship. Japanese striker Yuya Osako is also frequently mentioned as a contender for the top scorer title at the 2019 Asian Cup.
Nguyen Quang Hai, the best player of the 2018 AFF Cup, continues to be highly regarded in this tournament. If he shines in the matches against two strong teams, Iraq and Iran, then top clubs in the continent will certainly not be able to ignore this name.
Most goals/match
In the history of the Asian Cup, the player who has scored the most goals in a single match has achieved this feat four times: Betash Fariba (Iran in 1980), Ali Daei (Iran in 1996), Ismaeel Abdullatif (Bahrain in 2011), and Hamza Al-Dardour (Jordan in 2015).
With the number of teams increasing to 24, the gap between teams will widen, making it quite possible that in matches like Iran and Yemen, strikers could score more than 4 goals per game. After witnessing Thai striker Adisak Kraisorn score 6 goals in one match at the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup, a similar scenario is hoped for in this tournament.
Most appearances in the finals
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| South Korean star Son Heung-min is thriving at Tottenham Hotspur and with the South Korean national team. (Photo: Fox Sports Asia) |
Three teams have reached the final six times: Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. While Japan has won four times and finished second twice, South Korea has won twice (1956 and 1960) and been runners-up in 1972, 1980, 1988, and 2015. Saudi Arabia has also reached the final six times: winning three times (1984, 1988, and 1996) and finishing as runners-up three times (1992, 2000, and 2007).
If any of the three teams – Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia – reach the final this year, it will set a new Asian Cup record. Experts believe Japan and South Korea are the more likely contenders.
Most championships
With four titles, Japan currently holds the record for the best record in the Asian Cup finals, followed by Iran and Saudi Arabia – both with three titles. If Japan wins this year's Asian Cup, they will break their own record with five trophies. Meanwhile, Iran and Saudi Arabia would equal Japan's record if they lift the trophy this year. The most exciting match will be the final between Japan and Iran, a game that promises to evoke many emotions in viewers.
