The best lineup for the 18th Asian Cup has been announced, with 11 players from 7 different teams making the cut. Among them, Lee Gang-in from South Korea was the only player from an East Asian team to be included in the lineup. This announcement has sparked controversy and raised questions about the professionalism of the selection process.
The best lineup for this Asian Cup officially announced by the AFC shows that the 11 selected players are from Qatar, Jordan, Iran, South Korea, Iraq, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. Notably, no players from Japan, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan were selected, and some key players from other strong East Asian teams were also left out. This has led to criticism and debate among fans, industry insiders, and the media.
However, the AFC also announced that the 18th Asian Cup set new records for the total number of spectators in a single event, the average number of spectators per game, and the maximum number of spectators in a single game. The host nation Qatar and the Qatari team were praised for their successful hosting of the tournament and their victory on and off the field.
Qatar’s success has set a high bar for other teams in Asian football, particularly traditional East Asian powerhouses like Japan and South Korea. With the 19th Asian Cup confirmed to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027, the competition between East and West Asian teams is expected to intensify.
The competitive situation in Asian football, where the West is strong and the East is weak, may continue to evolve in the coming years. The Chinese team, which is already facing challenges in Asian football, may find it even more difficult to compete at the highest level.
Overall, the best lineup announcement and the success of the 18th Asian Cup have shed light on the shifting dynamics of Asian football and the growing strength of teams in the West.