After four years of waiting, the Asian Cup 2023 is almost ready to kick off in Qatar on 12 January.
With original hosts China not able to hold the tournament due to coronavirus restrictions, Qatar is once again the destination for a major international football competition.
If the 2022 Fifa World Cup is anything to go by, this year’s Asian Cup is set to be a great tournament. The top 24 sides in Asia will be competing for the chance to be crowned champions of the continent, with the final on 10 February.
With so many exciting teams taking part, there will be plenty of world-class talent on show. But to help you know who to keep an eye on, we at Sportslens have picked out some of the biggest names at this year’s Asian Cup 2023.
Premier League Players At Asian Cup 2023
Son Heung-Min (South Korea & Tottenham)
It’s undeniable that Son Heung-Min is the Asian Cup 2023 poster boy. One of the greatest players the continent has ever produced, the Tottenham captain is simply world-class.
Son has 12 Premier League goals already this campaign, with five assists. And with 41 international goals, he’s likely to be one of the top scorers at this year’s Asian Cup too.
Kaoru Mitoma (Japan & Brighton)
Now a well-known Premier League talent, Kaoru Mitoma was a key figure for Japan at the World Cup. He helped them to wins over both Germany and Spain in Qatar.
Although a late bloomer at 26, he’s widely regarded as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League. His seven goals last season helped Brighton finish sixth last season and qualify for the Europa League.
Mitoma recently picked up a knock, but is expected to be fit for the majority of the competition and will be one of the biggest names on show.
Wataru Endo (Japan & Liverpool)
Less of an X-factor player than Son or Mitoma, Wataru Endo is still a top talent. The midfielder will be a vital cog in Japan’s engine as they seek a fifth Asian Cup title.
Now captaining his country, Endo has earned many admirers since joining Liverpool, including Jurgen Klopp.
A £16 million signing from Bundesliga side Stuttgart in the summer, he was far from the headline transfer.
But the 30-year-old has played 15 times for the Reds in the Premier League so far, and has quickly established himself in Liverpool’s new-look midfield.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan & Arsenal)
Another Japanese international playing in the Premier League, Takehiro Tomiyasu will be a big loss for Arsenal. Although he’s not been a regular starter this season, Mikel Artera would no doubt wish he had the defender available.
The 25-year-old has just returned from a calf injury in time for the tournament. As part of a star-studded Japan squad, Tomiyasu will be hoping to go far in the tournament.
Beaten finalists in 2019, there’s plenty of people who think Japan will go one better and win their first Asian Cup since 2011.
Hwang Hee-chan (South Korea and Wolves)
While Son Heung-Min is the main man for South Korea, he’s not their only lethal finisher. Wolves’ Hwang Hee-Chan has ten Premier League goals this season, and is in fine form.
The 27-year-old will be hoping to add to his 12 international goals, and his combination with Son could be crucial.
Should South Korea make it deep into the tournament, Hwang could miss several important games for Wolves.
They face Manchester United and Brentford at home either side of a trip to Stamford Bridge.
Saman Ghoddos (Iran and Brentford)
It’s taken a while for versatile Iranian Saman Ghoddos to get going at Brentford. All seven of his Premier League starts for the Bees have come in their past seven games.
But while a bit-part player for Brentford, the 30-year-old will be a key man for an Iran side that defeated Wales at the World Cup in Qatar.
Middle Eastern Talent At Asian Cup 2023
Football in the Middle East has been under an ever-growing spotlight in recent years. We’ve seen the World Cup in Qatar, Newcastle’s purchase by a Saudi-backed group, and the sudden exodus of players from Europe to the region’s rapidly growing leagues.
But while the influx of money and attention is great for football in the region, it will take longer for homegrown talents to benefit and break through.
That said, there are plenty of top-quality Middle-Eastern players heading to this year’s Asian Cup 2023.
Mehdi Taremi (Iran)
For several years now, Iran’s Mehdi Taremi has been leading the line for Porto. His 22 goals in 33 Portuguese Primeira Liga games last season was complimented by five in the Champions League.
The 31-year-old veteran has 77 caps for his nation, scoring 43 goals. One of the finest players in Iranian history, Taremi has earned comparisons to legendary striker Ali Daei.
He’s certainly one to keep an eye on at the upcoming tournament.
Almoez Ali (Qatar)
The hero of Qatar’s superb triumph at the last tournament, Almoez Ali is back once again. With nine goals at the last Asian Cup, he picked up the most valuable player and top scorer awards.
Without a doubt one of the top strikers in Asia, Ali will be hoping to help Qatar retain their continental crown.
Ali Mabkhout (United Arab Emirates)
A name few will know outside of Asian football, Ali Mabkhout strikes fear into opponents. With 85 international goals for the UAE in only 114 caps, he is a prolific and deadly finisher.
Mabkhout has never played outside of his home country, but remains one of the biggest attacking threats at this year’s Asian Cup.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Iran)
It never quite worked out for Alireza Jahanbakhsh at Brighton. But the Iranian has since bounced back, lifting the Eredivisie with Feyenoord last season.
The winger brings skill and technical ability to his team, and was the Dutch league’s top scorer in 2017/18. With 76 caps, he’s one of the most experienced men in Iran’s squad, and will be a key player for his country.
Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)
Almost everyone will have seen this man’s stunning goal at the World Cup. Salem Al-Dawsari plucked the ball out of the sky before cutting back onto his right foot and unleashing an absolute rocket into the top corner to beat eventual champions Argentina.
Winner of the AFC Player of the Year in October, it’s been some 12 months for the 32-year-old. An electric match-winner, the Al-Hilal star will be vital for Roberto Mancini’s Saudi squad.
Ali Adnan (Iraq)
The first Iraqi international to play in Serie A, Ali Adnan has enjoyed a successful career. The former Udinese left-back also featured in the MLS for Vancouver, but now plays in Iran.
With 85-caps, Adnan is entering the twilight of his career, but is still one of his nation’s top talents.
Other Players To Watch At Asian Cup 2023
Mathew Ryan (Australia)
Still only 31, it’s been some career for Mathew Ryan. The former Brighton keeper has enjoyed a true journeyman story.
With spells in the Premier League, La Liga and Eredivisie as well as Danish and Belgian top leagues, he’s played in most of Europe.
Now with AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, he’s still one of the biggest names in the Australian squad. Recently suffering a fractured cheekbone, Ryan is racing to be fit for the Aussie’s opener against India.
Kim Min-Jae (South Korea)
With high-profile moves from Fenerbache to Napoli, and now Bayern Munich, Kim Min-jae has become a huge star. Regarded as one of the top defenders in Europe, he’s arguably just as important for South Korea as Son, though at the opposite end of the pitch.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed an incredible rise from playing the Chinese Super League in 2021 to the Champions League in just two years.
Wu Lei (China)
Although he never has a great record in La Liga, Wu Lei was still one of China’s finest footballing exports. The former Espanyol forward scored a memorable equaliser in a 2-2 derby draw with Spanish giants Barcelona.
Now playing back home in China for Shanghai Port, Wu Lei has 32 goals for his country.
Jordi Amat (Indonesia)
A former Premier League defender with Swansea, Jordi Amat now plays in Southeast Asia. The Spanish-born Indonesian international made 123 La Liga appearances for Espanyol and Real Betis.
Obtaining citizenship in 2022, he has 11 caps for his adopted country, and will be one of the best players at Indonesia’s disposal.
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