Asian Cup Group F - Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Oman

Statbox on Group F at the Asian Cup, which will be held in Qatar from Jan. 12 to Feb. 10:

SAUDI ARABIA

FIFA Ranking: 56

Best finish: Champions (1984, 1988, 1996)

Coach: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Prospects: The three-time champions had a string of bad results in early 2023, undoing their 2022 momentum which included a memorable win over eventual champions Argentina at the World Cup.

Following a group stage exit from the Arabian Gulf Cup and friendly losses to Venezuela and Bolivia, they turned to Mancini and form has started to improve under the former Italy coach.

OMAN

FIFA Ranking: 74

Best finish: Round of 16 (2019)

Coach: Branko Ivankovic (Croatia)

Prospects: Despite their ability to cause the occasional shock Oman have been held back by their inability to deal with weaker opposition.

They beat Japan and drew with Australia in 2022 World Cup qualifiers but a draw with China cost them dear. They beat Saudi Arabia in the Arabian Gulf Cup last year but lost in the final to Iraq.

KYRGYZSTAN

FIFA Ranking: 98

Best finish: Round of 16 (2019)

Coach: Stefan Tarkovic (Slovakia)

Prospects: Kyrgyzstan were one of the success stories of the 2019 edition when they reached knockout rounds on debut and they will fancy their chances of again getting out of their group in Qatar.

They have proved to be a hard nut to crack for some of the higher ranked Asian teams. They beat Oman in November, almost held the UAE but for a late penalty in December, and also drew with Syria in a friendly this month.

THAILAND

FIFA Ranking: 113

Best finish: Third place (1972)

Coach: Masatada Ishii (Japan)

Prospects: The Southeast Asian powerhouse won the AFF Championship last year and beat Lebanon as well as holding Iraq to a draw before losing on penalties at the King's Cup.