ASIAN CUP OF NATIONS 2015

Kickoff of the first international competition since the end of the World Cup has been given some days ago. Less rich in stars than the euro or the Copa América, less media attention than the African Cup of Nations, the Asian Cup of Nations is nevertheless able to offer a good show. Introducing the sixteenth edition to be held in Australia during the month of January.
 
2014: A year to forget
Asia was particularly illustrated during the World Cup 2010 Japan and South Korea reached the knockout stage, narrowly eliminated by Paraguay and Uruguay. Australia had not crossed the first round but finished third in their group on equal points with Ghana, second, by failing only on goal difference. Only North Korea (three defeats in three games, a goal scored twelve goals conceded) has sealed the record despite a heroic resistance in the first game against Brazil (1-2 defeat).

Two years later, Asian football was illustrated again in the football tournament of the London Olympics. South Korea finish third and Japan fourth; the latter being the only country to place its men's and women teams in the final four.

The growth of Asian football would have to continue in 2014 and especially during the Brazilian World Cup. But the South American adventure of the Asian teams turned to disaster. The Asian confederation was the only one not to have a representative in the fourth round and worse the four teams (the same as in 2010 with the exception of Iran, which replaced North Korea) finished in last place of their group, without any victory.
The host country of the next Asian Cup of Nations symbolized these difficulties by being one of the only selections (with Cameroon and Honduras) has lost its three group matches in a group indeed very difficult. Australia has also won one game in 2014 and fell in 100th place in the FIFA rankings.
 
The organizing country and stadiums
It was in January 2011, shortly before the kickoff of the 2011 edition, which Australia won the organization of the Asian Cup of Nations 2015. This is the first time that the country, became a member of the AFC in 2006, organizes the competition.

Well endowed with sports infrastructures, Australia has selected five all stages in five cities of the east coast of the country. All are of moderate size outside of Sydney Australia Stadium and its 84,000 seats. The stadium, which will host the final of the competition was particularly host the 2000 Olympic Games.

Note that the stages have two different names because all subject to the naming policy.