We nominate our best XI of the Asian Cup!
After much debate, CaughtOffside have come up with our Asian Cup team of the tournament.
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Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
(4-3-3)
GK) Maty Ryan (AUSTRALIA)
Ryan was quite simply superb for the Socceroos.
Calm under pressure, Ryan pulled off a number of excellent saves but it was his distribution that has caught the eye of a number of top European clubs.
Club Brugge have a star on its books, but it’s only a matter of time before the 22-year-old moves on to bigger and better things.
RB) Cha Du-Ri (SOUTH KOREA)
Tireless and brave, the South Korean veteran was an important attacking outlet for Uli Stielike’s side and defended with aplomb.
The 34-year-old’s constant bursts down the flank pinned opposition wingers back in their own half, but it was his excellent final ball that won him a spot in our team of the tournament.
CB) Trent Sainsbury (AUSTRALIA)
The PEC Zwolle youngster has come on in leaps and bounds since his international debut only a few months ago.
He was arguably the Socceroos’ most consistent performer in a side that went on the win the tournament under immense pressure on home soil.
A star in the making.
CB) Kim Young-gwon (SOUTH KOREA)
Young-gwon was a pillar of strength for a side that incredibly did not concede a goal until the final.
The 24-year-old Guangzhou Evergrande defender had a shaky start to his international career, but cemented himself as his country’s best defender during the Asian Cup.
LB) Dhurgham Ismael (IRAQ)
The 20-year-old was a standout player for an Iraq side that reached the semi-final stage of the tournament.
His tireless work down the left-hand side has not gone unnoticed by some of Asia’s biggest clubs.
Ismael’s well-taken penalty in the 116th minute of his side’s quarter-final with Iran was nerve-racking, but he got it done.
DM) Andranik Teymourian (IRAN)
Teymourian was a vital cog in an Iran midfield which impressed so many.
The former Bolton Wanderers and Fulham man had a key role to play in Carlos Quieroz’s counter-attacking style of play, and he was tactically excellent.
Iran probably deserved more from the tournament, but Teymourian can leave with his head held high.
CM) Omar Abdulrahman (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
Abdulrahman dazzled in midfield for the UAE, and there’s absolutely no doubt the kid is European quality.
Stiff to miss out on the MVP award, Abdulrahman’s flicks and extraordinary passes were a sight to behold.
An absolute joy to watch.
CM) Massimo Luongo (AUSTRALIA)
The 22-year-old ended the tournament with two goals and three assists and was named MVP and is the player Australian football has been crying out for since the end of the ‘golden generation’.
Luongo’s technical ability was matched by an excellent work-rate, and it’s no wonder a smorgasbord of European clubs are clamouring for his services.
He’s been superb for Swindon Town, but even they know they won’t be able to hang on to the Aussie at the end of the season.
RAM) Son Hueng-Min (SOUTH KOREA)
The Bayer Leverkusen flyer came into the tournament with a virus but gradually improved his performances.
Hueng-Min was a constant menace to opposition defenders and his finishing was deadly.
A genuine star of Asian football and a move to the Premier League awaits.
LAM) Ali Mabkhout (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)
Mabkhout ended the tournament as the highest goalscorer and along with Omar Abdulrahman was a key reason why the UAE reached the semi-finals.
Pacy, powerful and direct, Mabkhout has all the qualities needed in a top international striker.
ST) Tim Cahill (AUSTRALIA)
What can you say about this man? He just keeps getting the job done.
The 35-year-old’s goal against Kuwait got the Socceroos in motion and nobody will ever forget his quarter-final bicycle kick that put Australia 1-0 up against China.
His bullet of a header put the game out of reach for China, but it was his presence that opened up numerous opportunities for teammates, especially at set-pieces.
It was most likely his last Asian Cup, and what a way to go out.