Who’s leading the last eight teams in Qatar?

The Asian Cup quarterfinals get under way on Friday and will feature eight teams coached by an array of different characters.

Bruno Metsu (Qatar)

With his shaggy brown mane of hair and straight-talking style, the 56-year-old Metsu is one of the most recognizable coaches at the Asian Cup.

His most enduring achievement remains Senegal’s shock run to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.

Vadim Abramov (Uzbekistan)

Abramov may only have been in his current job since replacing popular former national team star Mirdjalal Kasimov last April, but he quickly set his sights on reaching the summit of the Asian game.

“Every team here wants to win the tournament,” he said. “Uzbekistan is the same.”

Afshin Ghotbi (Iran)

Smooth-talking Iran coach Ghotbi guided the three-time champions to the top of a highly competitive Group D, becoming the first team to qualify for the last eight and defeating rivals Iraq, 2-1. But the 47-year-old is not without his detractors in Iran.

Alberto Zaccheroni (Japan)

The former AC Milan boss is tasked with taking Japan higher at the 2014 World Cup after the Blue Samurai reached the last 16 in South Africa for their best-ever finish on foreign soil.

The Japan FA spent months looking for a successor to Takeshi Okada and signed the 57-year-old Italian in September to a two-year deal.

Adnan Hamad (Jordan)

The 49-year-old Iraqi tactician, who has coached his home country’s national side four times, helped turn around Jordan’s fortunes in Asian Cup qualifying after he took over from Portuguese Nelo Vingada in April 2009.

Holger Osieck (Australia)

German veteran Osieck was the surprise choice to replace Pim Verbeek after the South Africa World Cup, but he brings plenty of Asian experience.

The 62-year-old used to manage Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.

Cho Kwang-rae (Korea)

The 56-year-old took command of the Taegeuk Warriors from Huh Jong-Moo after their impressive run to the last 16 at the World Cup in South Africa.

It is his second stint at the helm, having also managed the team in 1992. And he brings a wealth of experience, having worked throughout Korea’s K-League.

Wolfgang Sidka (Iraq)

Germany’s Sikda has a long history of working in the Middle East, having previously coached Bahrain, and is no stranger to the Qataris, having coached Al-Arabi and Al-Gharafa.

The 56-year-old former Werder Bremen midfielder took charge of Iraq in 2010, with the unenviable task of matching the country’s historic triumph at the Asian Cup in 2007.

AFP