After Japan made it through to the Asian Cup final with their 3-0 win over Iran on Monday night, Paul Williams of The Asian Game podcast and Sam Robson of Football Radar guested on our first podcast of 2019 to review the Samurai Blue's progress through the tournament, and to look ahead to Friday's final against Qatar.

We begin with my two guests sharing their experiences of the tournament, and the contrasting fortunes of Japan and Iran heading in to the semi final, before discussing the major talking points from the game, Japan's star men and then the second semi final before we preview the final.

Our look at the Asian Cup concludes with the disappointing campaigns of Australia and South Korea, and some of the developing nations who have caught the eye (to 1:14:30).

After we bid farewell to Paul, Sam and I finish the episode by touching on some of the major winter transfer window moves J1 clubs have made.

Follow my guests on twitter and the web:

Paul - @PaulWilliams_85

The Asian Game podcast

Sam - @FRsoccerSam