Asian Cup: Ex-champions Japan,Iraq Clash

Previous Asian Cup champions go head-to-head (02:16)  Friday's football action sees the 2011 Asian Cup winners, Japan, up against the 2007 champions, Iraq, as Jordan and Palestine meet in Melbourne.

Five to watch

Keisuke Honda (Japan).
The biggest name in this tournament by some distance, Honda brings pedigree, skill and excitement. He creates as easily as he can score and a versatile range of talents makes him near impossible to stop.
Yasuhito Endo (Japan).
The veteran midfielder led Japan's destruction of Palestine in their opening day to show that he's still very much a linchpin despite his advancing years. He'll be the fulcrum of their possession-based play against Iraq and pivotal to any success.
Humam Tariq (Iraq).
The nimble winger carries big expectations despite his tender age and lack of experience. An exciting player, yes, Tariq will also have to deliver as well as entertaining to show Asia why he's rated so highly by his country.
Shinji Okazaki (Japan).
The German-based striker has the luxury of playing in front of such a star-studded and creative midfield so, applied with his own talents, he makes for a menace for opponents. He showed his natural goalscoring instincts with a reflex goal against Palestine proving his danger even without substantial service.
Yaser Kasim (Iraq).
Perhaps Iraq's best in their opening round win over Jordan, the Swindon-based midfielder could become one of the surprise packages of the tournament. A tough, physical player, Kasim is also proving one of the most creative when in possession having carved out four chances in his first 90 minutes.