The Asian Cup 2011 draw was announced on Friday with some interesting groups featuring the best Asian national teams. Most of the focus was on Group D where Iran, North Korea, UAE and Iraq were drawn together, pitting four of the best teams against each other.

Iraq are the current holders of the Asian Cup and will have a real test trying to retain their title. The Iraqis enjoyed a revival during the previous edition but have suffered from a lack of success since then due to various issues that has stifled development of the sport in the country.

North Korea recently qualified for the World Cup 2010 finals and will be typically difficult to break down with their discipline and hard running. Iran are perennial powerhouses in Asian football and will have much to prove after struggling in the World Cup qualifiers and a noticeable dearth in talent to match the previous golden generation in the late 90s and early 2000’s. UAE were close to reaching South Africa before falling at the final hurdle.

Qatar will be the hosts for the event and they were placed in the same group as ambitious Uzbekistan, China and Kuwait which will be Group A. Regional giants Japan were bandied together with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria in Group B which they should come out of with the Saudis. Group C appears to be between South Korea and Australia after they were drawn with India and Bahrain, the latter of which are probably the closest challengers to the first two. India qualified via the AFC Cup and will probably be the tournament’s whipping boys.

The Asian Cup will be held in Qatar in 2011 from January 7 – 29.

Draw for 2011 Asian Cup:

Group A: Qatar, Kuwait, China, Uzbekistan

Group B: Saudi Arabia, Japan, Jordan, Syria

Group C: South Korea, India, Australia, Bahrain

Group D: Iraq, North Korea, UAE, Iran

Tags: Asian Cup, Asian Cup 2011 draw