2007 AFC Asian Cup
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| 2007 AFC Asian Cup | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Tournament details | |
| Host countries |  Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Vietnam |
| Dates | 7 July – 29 July |
| Venue(s) | 8 (in 7 host cities) |
| Final positions | |
Champions  |
 Iraq (1st title) |
Runners-up  |
 Saudi Arabia |
Third place  |
 Korea Republic |
| Fourth place |  Japan |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 32 |
| Goals scored | 84 (2.63 per match) |
| Attendance | 724,222 (22,632 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | /> Naohiro Takahara Yasser Al-Qahtani (4 goals) |
| Best player | Younis Mahmoud |
The Asian Football Confederation's 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals were held from July 7 to July 29, 2007. For the first time in its history, the competition was co-hosted by four nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The tournament was won by first-time champions Iraq, who defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final. As the winner, Iraq will represent the AFC at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
The Asian Cup had previously been held every 4 years from 1956 onwards, the last cup being held in China in 2004. However, with the Summer Olympic Games and the European Football Championship also held in the same year as the Asian Cup (2004, 2008, 2012 etc.), the AFC decided to change their tradition and hold the tournament in 2007, and every four years henceforth from that date.
This was the first major AFC tournament in which Australia participated as a member.
Contents |
[edit] Host selection
The decision to have four host nations for this edition of the Asian Cup was proposed and presented to the executive committee by AFC president Mohammed Bin Hammam. However, he later regretted this decision and called it his "mistake", citing the financial and logistic difficulties in organising an event across four countries.
He said that "It is proving very difficult for [the executive committee as they] have to have four organising committees, four media centres and there are also financial considerations." He also revealed that "[He would] definitely [not do] it [again]," if he had the choice.
In June 2005, the Asian Football Confederation warned Thailand that it needed to improve its facilities before 2007, otherwise it would be dropped, possibly being replaced with Singapore. On August 12 of the same year, the AFC confirmed that Thailand would be a co-host of the 2007 Asian Cup.[1] However in October 2006, Thailand was again warned to improve its facilities in 90 days.[2]
[edit] Venues
| Nation | City | Venue | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | Jakarta | Bung Karno Stadium | 100,000 |
| Palembang | Jakabaring Stadium | 40,000 | |
| Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | National Stadium, Bukit Jalil | 100,000 |
| Shah Alam | Shah Alam Stadium | 80,000 | |
| Thailand | Bangkok | Rajamangala Stadium | 65,000 |
| Suphachalasai Stadium | 35,000 | ||
| Vietnam | Hanoi | My Dinh National Stadium | 40,000 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Army Stadium | 25,000 |
[edit] Qualification
The qualification round ran from February 22, 2006 to November 15, 2006. For the first time, the defending champions (Japan) needed to attend the qualification stage. Twenty-four teams attempted to qualify for 2007 AFC Asian Cup. They were divided into 4 teams for each group and determined the remaining last 12 places, as the four co-hosts - Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam - were already granted automatic qualification. Australia was the first non-host nation to qualify.
[edit] Seeds
For the first time, the seeds are based on the October 2006 FIFA World Rankings instead of the basis of the performance from the previous AFC Asian Cup competition. This was to ensure that the same number of strong teams do not meet in the early stage.[3]
The four seeded teams were announced on December 19, 2006. The seeds comprised Pot 4 in the draw. Pot 1 consists of the teams from all co-hosts.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
On December 19, 2006, the draw was held in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
[edit] Match ball
The Official Match Ball for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup was launched by Nike on May 15 2007, making it the first time ever that a ball had been launched specifically for any football competition in Asia.[4] The Nike Mercurial Veloci AC features four blue stripes with gold trim with each host city's name inscribed, as well as the AFC Asian Cup logo.[5]
[edit] Officials
16 referees and 24 assistant referees were officially cleared following a fitness test on July 2 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. One referee and two assistant referees were also named from the CAF.[6]
† Replaced 
Shamsul Maidin after the referee pulled out with injury.[7]
[edit] Squads
-
For more details on this topic, see 2007 AFC Asian Cup squads.
[edit] Tournament summary
The Asian Cup saw many upsets in the early stages of the tournament. In Group A, Oman held favourites Australia to a surprising draw. Oman took the lead and would have won save for an injury time goal from Tim Cahill. Next, hosts Vietnam shocked Gulf Champions UAE with a 2-0 victory. In the same group, Qatar held Japan to a shock 1-1 draw, which caused Japan coach Ivica Osim to fly into a rage in which he branded his players as 'amateurs' and reduced his interpreter to tears [1]. In Group D, Indonesia continued the undefeated streak of the hosts by defeating Bahrain 2-1. Malaysia ended up as the only host country to drop their match, losing to China 5-1. Thailand recorded just its 2nd win in the Asian Cup finals (their other was in 1972 against Cambodia), and its first ever win in regulation, when they beat Oman 2-0 on July 12. Meanwhile, Australia was upset by a 3-1 defeat against Iraq the following day, leaving them floundering in the tournament despite high expectations.
In the quarterfinals, Iraq defeated Vietnam 2-0, South Korea (known as 'Korea Republic') beat Iran in a shootout 4-2, as did Japan over Australia 4-3, and Saudi Arabia won over Uzbekistan 2-1. Iraq upset South Korea in the semi-finals by winning 4-3 on penalties, resulting in thousands of Iraqis celebrating in the streets of Baghdad. Over 50 Iraqis were killed by terrorist bombs targeting these crowds.[8] In the other semi-finals, Saudi Arabia topped defending champions Japan 3-2 to make an all-Arab affair for the final match.
Iraq went on to defeat Saudi Arabia 1-0 taking the Asian Cup title. Iraqi forward and captain Younis Mahmoud was given the title of Most Valuable Player. South Korea took third place narrowly beating Japan in penalties 6-5. It was the third consecutive match in the tournament that South Korea played 0-0 before a penalty shootout. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea, as the top three national teams in the tournament, all received automatic berths to the 2011 Asian Cup finals to be held in Qatar.[2]
[edit] Group Stages
In the following tables:
- Pts = total points accumulated
- Pld = total games played
- W = total games won
- D = total games drawn (tied)
- L = total games lost
- GF = total goals scored (goals for)
- GA = total goals conceded (goals against)
- GD = goal difference (GF−GA)
The teams placed first and second (shaded in green) qualified to the quarterfinals.
In the league system, three (3) points will be awarded for a win, one (1) point for a draw and zero (0) point for a loss.
If two or more Teams are equal on points, their place shall be determined as follows:
- Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the Teams concerned
- Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the Teams concerned
- Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the Teams concerned
- Goal difference in all the group matches
- Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches
- Kicks from the penalty mark if only two Teams are involved and they are both on the field of play
- Drawing of lots
[edit] Group A
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq |
5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
 Australia |
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 |
| Thailand |
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 |
 Oman |
2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
| 2007-07-07 19:35 UTC+7 |
Thailand |
1 – 1 | Iraq |
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Kwon (KOR) |
S. Suksomkit  6' (pen) |
(Report) | Younis Mahmoud 32' |
| 2007-07-08 17:20 UTC+7 |
Australia |
1 – 1 | Oman |
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Maillet (SEY) |
| Cahill 90+2' |
(Report) | Badar 32' |
| 2007-07-12 17:20 UTC+7 |
Oman |
0 – 2 | Thailand |
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok Attendance: 19,000 Referee: Lee (KOR) |
| (Report) | P. Thonkanya 70' 78' |
| 2007-07-13 17:20 UTC+7 |
Iraq |
3 – 1 | Australia |
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok Attendance: 6,000 Referee: Karim (BHR) |
| Nashat Akram 23' Hawar Mulla 60'Karrar Jassim 86' |
(Report) | Viduka 47' |
| 2007-07-16 19:35 UTC+7 |
Thailand |
0 – 4 | Australia |
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok Attendance: 46,000 Referee: Kwon (KOR) |
| (Report) | Beauchamp 21' Viduka 80' 83'Kewell 90' |
| 2007-07-16 19:35 UTC+7 |
Oman |
0 – 0 | Iraq |
Suphachalasai Stadium, Bangkok Attendance: 500 Referee: Maillet (SEY) |
| (Report) |
[edit] Group B
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan |
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 |
| Vietnam |
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 |
 United Arab Emirates |
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 |
 Qatar |
2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
| 2007-07-08 19:35 UTC+7 |
Vietnam |
2 – 0 | United Arab Emirates |
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi Attendance: 39,450 Referee: Najm (LIB) |
| H.Q. Thanh 63' L.C. Vinh 73' |
Report |
| 2007-07-09 17:20 UTC+7 |
Japan |
1 – 1 | Qatar |
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Breeze (AUS) |
| Takahara 61' |
(Report) | Sebastián 88' |
| 2007-07-12 19:35 UTC+7 |
Qatar |
1 – 1 | Vietnam |
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi Attendance: 40,000 Referee: Moradi (IRN) |
| Sebastián 79' |
(Report) | P.T. Bình 32' |
| 2007-07-13 20:35 UTC+7 |
United Arab Emirates |
1 – 3 | Japan |
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi Attendance: 5,000 Referee: Tongkhan (THA) |
| S. Alkas 66' |
(Report) | Takahara 22' 27' Nakamura 42' (pen.) |
| 2007-07-16 17:20 UTC+7 |
Vietnam |
1 – 4 | Japan |
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi Attendance: 40,000 Referee: Breeze (AUS) |
| Suzuki 8' (o.g.) |
(Report) | Maki 12' 59' Endo 32'Nakamura 53' |
| 2007-07-16 17:20 UTC+7 |
Qatar |
1 – 2 | United Arab Emirates |
Army Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Moradi (IRN) |
| Sebastián 42' |
(Report) | S. Alkas 59' F. Khalil 90' |
[edit] Group C
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Iran |
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 |
 Uzbekistan |
6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 |
 China PR |
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 |
| Malaysia |
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | −11 |
| 2007-07-10 20:35 UTC+8 |
Malaysia |
1 – 5 | China PR |
Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Attendance: 21,155 Referee: Basma (SYR) |
| Indra Putra 74' |
(Report) | P Han 15' 55' J Y Shao 36'D Wang 51' 90+3' |
| 2007-07-11 18:20 UTC+8 |
Iran |
2 – 1 | Uzbekistan |
Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Attendance: 1,863 Referee: Al Fadhli (KUW) |
| J. Hosseini 55' J. Kazemian 78' |
(Report) | R. Rezaei 16' (o.g.) |
| 2007-07-14 18:20 UTC+8 |
Uzbekistan |
5 – 0 | Malaysia |
Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Attendance: 7,137 Referee: Abdou (QAT) |
| Shatskikh 10' 89' Kapadze 29'Bakaev 45' (pen)Ibragimov 85' |
(Report) |
| 2007-07-15 18:20 UTC+8 |
China PR |
2 – 2 | Iran |
Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Attendance: 5,938 Referee: Al-Ghamdi (KSA) |
| J Y Shao 6' J Q Mao 33' |
(Report) | F. Zandi 45+1' J. Nekounam 73' |
| 2007-07-18 20:35 UTC+8 |
Malaysia |
0 – 2 | Iran |
Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Attendance: 5,520 Referee: Basma (SYR) |
| (Report) | J. Nekounam 25' (pen) A. Timotian 70' |
| 2007-07-18 20:35 UTC+8 |
Uzbekistan |
3 – 0 | China PR |
Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam Attendance: 2,200 Referee: Al Fadhli (KUW) |
| Shatskikh 72' Kapadze 86'Geynrikh 90+4' |
(Report) |
[edit] Group D
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia |
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 |
| Korea Republic |
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Indonesia |
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
 Bahrain |
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 |
| 2007-07-10 17:20 UTC+7 |
Indonesia |
2 – 1 | Bahrain |
Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta Attendance: 65,000 Referee: Nishimura (JPN) |
| Budi S. 14' Bambang 64' |
(Report) | S. Mahmood 27' |
| 2007-07-11 19:35 UTC+7 |
Korea Republic |
1 – 1 | Saudi Arabia |
Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta Attendance: 45,110 Referee: Shield (AUS) |
| Choi Sung-Kuk 66' |
(Report) | Y. Al-Qahtani 77' (pen) |
| 2007-07-14 19:35 UTC+7 |
Saudi Arabia |
2 – 1 | Indonesia |
Bung |