Asia Cup Fantasy Top Picks for Matchday 2

In this article we look at the Asia Cup Fantasy top picks for Matchday 2. With the new round edging closer and closer we go through all of the best goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards using stats and form to help us.

Finding out who the Asia Cup Fantasy top picks for Matchday 2 are is crucial for managers. Knowing which players to invest in could help with decisions towards transfers, captaincy and chip strategy and so could be vital for rank and mini-league positioning.

Goalkeepers – Meshaal Aissa Barsham

Qatar made a strong statement to the rest of the competition in Matchday 1 where they dispatched Lebanon 3-0. The clean sheet was helped by Meshaal Aissa Barsham (5.5m) between the sticks and he was rewarded with a seven-point return. Qatar have a meeting with Tajikistan next up, a side who rank 105th on the FIFA. They also failed to score in Matchday 1.

Mathew Ryan

If you don’t want to mess around with a goalkeeper and just want a return then look no further than Mathew Ryan (6m). In terms of clean sheets Australia have managed to keep a huge five in a row in all competitions. They come up against Syria next up who not only failed to score in Matchday 1 but also sit 91st on the FIFA ranking system.

Zion Suzuki

Finding cheap players in this game can be very challenging, especially when rotation seems to be rife. However, finding a cheap player who plays for one of the favourites could be even more rewarding and that is exactly what Japan’ Zion Suzuki (5m) offers. Japan may have not have secured a clean sheet in Matchday 1 but taking into account his price-tag and the team he plays for, Suzuki is a very difficult player to ignore.

Defenders – Lucas Mendes

Picking out a defender who is safe in terms of minutes, plays for a top team and comes in at just 4.5m are all things centre-back Lucas Mendes offers. Qatar look very good for the clean sheet this week against Tajikistan. Mendes managed six points in Matchday 1 and that is something every fantasy manager would be extremely happy with this week at that price point.

Harry Souttar

Australia have already proven that they can carry their defensive solidarity into a major tournament after their clean sheet in Matchday 1. With a game against Syria next that looks set to continue and the safest defender in terms of minutes remains to be Harry Souttar (6m) who also created one key pass and had two shots blocked in the first round. Another alternative could be left-back Aziz Behich (5m) who comes in a lot cheaper than Souttar and hit one key pass and two shots off target in Matchday 1.

Hiroki Ito

Prior to Matchday 1 Japan managed four clean sheets in their last five matches. This shows they have defensive potential, albeit they conceded in the first round. Rotation in the Japan side could cause problems but one of their safest assets in terms of minutes is Hiroki Ito who comes in at just 5m.

Ramin Rezaeian

To the frustration of many Ramin Rezaeian (6m) failed to start in Matchday 1. That may be the case but there are rumours he was nursing an injury. However, Rezaeian featured towards the end of the game for Iran which suggests he could start in Matchday 2. Rezaeian has the potential to be the most explosive defender in the game. In fact, prior to his last match he racked up three goals and three assists in his last six matches which reflects how much potential he has.

Lee Ki-Je

Prior too the competition South Korea racked up a massive seven consecutive clean sheets in all competitions which is brilliant. Second favourites to win the tournament South Korea have a meeting with the 87th FIFA ranked Jordon this week. One of the cheapest routes into the defence is Ki Je Lee who comes in at 4.5m, a price-tag managers will always be looking to invest in.

Midfielders – Jackson Irvine

Australia aren’t just one of the best in the competition defensively but they are also very efficient in terms of goals. In fact, they have netted a huge 14 goals in their last five matches in all competitions. Whilst Connor Metcalfe (6.5m) remains a good option at a cheap price Jackson Irvine (8.5m) could be the standout. Not only did he play the full 90 minutes in Matchday 1 but he also scored and picked up a cool eight points.

Oston Urunov (O’runov)

India are a team to target and they have proven that with the 10 goals they have conceded in the last five matches in all competitions. Although failing to score in Matchday 1 Uzbekistan came into the competition after scoring between 2-4 goals in all five of their last matches. Although categorised as a midfielder Oston Urunov led the Uzbekistan attack against Syria and if that continues he could have huge potential.

Zayed Sultan

UAE impressed in their first match as they swept Hong Kong aside in a 3-1 win. They come up against Palestine next up, a team who lost 4-1 in their first match. Now although Zayed Sultan is playing in defence he comes in at just 5.5m which is a price-tag we desperately need in midfield. He is also very attacking and we saw that in Matchday 1 where he scored and registered a key pass.

Minamino

Regardless of the opposition Japan go into any given game expecting to score goals and thats what they have been doing and doing well. In fact, in their last 10 matches they scored a mammoth 43 goals which averages 4.3 goals per game. Whilst rotation can cause frustration Minamino started the first game and bagged a whopping 15 points due to his two goals and assist against Vietnam. Surely his performance has earned him another start? If not, then he could do some serious damage as a sub as well.

Dinh Bac Nguyen

Now, Vietnam may have lost their opener to Japan but they still impressed and scored two goals. They have a meeting with Indonesia this week, a side who prior to the competition conceded a huge 17 goals in their last five matches. One player who could do well again is 19-year-old Dinh Bac Nguyen (6.5m) who not only comes in at a great price but he also scored in Matchday 1 and scored for his club in his penultimate club game before travelling with his national side. Dinh Bac Nguyen is a very interesting addition to the Asia Cup Fantasy top picks Matchday 2.

Lee-Kang In

Investing in just Son Heung-Min is simply not enough to benefit from South Korea’ frontline due to his ownership. South Korea are another side full of goals – netting 20 in their last six matches. Another great way into the attack is Lee-Kang In (8.5m) who banked three assists and four goals in his last five matches for South Korea.

Forwards – Son Heung-Min

South Korea aren’t just a good side but they go into any given game expecting to win and score plenty of goals. Their talisman and penalty taker is of course Son Heung-Min (12m) who is not only having a brilliant season in the worlds toughest domestic league but is also relentless for his national side. Son is very much an essential and the standout captaincy option this week, do not go without him.

Almoez Ali & Akram Afif

Qatar are another side with a ruthless attack. An example of this is the fact they have netted a cool 18 goals in their last five matches. Because of this and depending on budget we could look to Almoez Ali (12m) and Akrim Afif (11m). Both strikers managed two goals contributions in the first round and both are a constant threat for their national side. Both are also very easy additions to the Asia Cup Fantasy top picks for Matchday 2.

Sardar Azmoun

Iran have also been excellent recently. In terms of form, in their last 10 matches in all competitions they have won a huge nine and drawn once. In the same period they also notched up 29 goals, averaging 2.9 goals per game. Sardar Azmoun (12.5m) failed to start his first Asia Cup game due to arriving late to the competition but he still came on scored. He also managed four assists and two goals in the six games he played with Iran prior to that.