Summary: January 2015 is a hotbed for competitive fixtures in international football and to that end commentator and football writer Paul Sarahs joins the show to cover the two glamour events in the 2015 Asian Cup as the group stage enters its most important phase as well as the start of AFCON 2015 from Equatorial Guinea starting this week. In segment one, we examine the AFC results and trends with some very interesting results already emerging from Australia, and this includes some favorites responding well, along with a couple of dark horse candidates who look to shape the knockout rounds which are days away from their start. We dig into the surprising match turned in by UAE in its battle with Qatar, the ruthlessness of Japan against tiny Palestine and why South Korea could become the force that few countries will wish to find as an opponent once the knockout rounds begin. Also discussed is the matter of Iran who looked very professional at first look, a Saudi Arabia team that needed a rebound while underscoring the importance of this tournament to the region. In segment two, we preview some of the many facets that should shape the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations including a changing of the guard for Ivory Coast under Herve Renard, the potential for Burkina Faso and Congo DR while remaining focused on a new generation of African stars who will look to launch their international careers amid a tournament thrown into the balance given the late move from Morocco and how this may alter the fortunes for tournament favorite Algeria. Also explored is the curious appointment of Avram Grant who leads the Black Stars in the aftermath of tumultuous World Cup over the payment of its players and how, this too, serves as both a feature to follow closely and what it says about the always chaotic world of football in the CAF region. Naturally, we take a look at some favorites, some contenders and the stories to watch as the competition begins in earnest on 17 January.
