Asian Cup 2007

I'm probably going to be the only one who posts on this thread, but here goes.

Japan (I'll be referring to Japan as "we" from this point on) will be vying for their third straight victory in this competition. We recently played a couple of friendlies at home against Montenegro and Colombia; we beat Montenegro 2-0, and drew 0-0 against Colombia. They were decent results, but we could have played better, particularly Naka.

The tournament itself was planned a bit poorly. The AFC decided to let four nations host the event (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia) and there were doubts about whether these countries would be ready by 2007. In fact, Thailand was almost stripped of its hosting rights because the facilities there weren't good enough at the time.

Anyways, to get to the main contenders: Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Iran are the leading teams in Asia, with China and Saudi Arabia being the dark horses of the tournament.

 

I would expect both Japan and South Korea to have strong runs. I've been impressed by both countries in the past two World Cups, and what I can see here and there.

 

Agreed quickdraw. S.Korea has some pretty good players.

 

Re: RE: Asian Cup 2007

They still have the Oceania tourney. It's just that nobody pays attention to it because the conference is so weak; now that the Aussies have left, the best teams in the area are New Zealand and... Solomon Islands, if I'm not mistaken. You get the idea.

Even though Japan has the Cup now, I would think that Australia may be the team to beat, if only because their squad has something that most Asian teams don't: physical strength. They're not the most attractive team in the region, but they can certainly overpower the opposition (see: Japan vs Aussies in the World Cup).

 

RE: Re: RE: Asian Cup 2007

My finals guess: South Korea v. Australia.

Although I'd rather see Japan v. Australia.

 

RE: Re: RE: Asian Cup 2007

the tournament has a good english website

http://www.afcasiancup.com/en/

Iraq is in the tournament! I'm cheering for them and Australia.

 

RE: Re: RE: Asian Cup 2007

Iraq may spring a surprise and make it past the group stages of this tournament. I don't know how many of the players from their 2004 Olympic team will be on this team, but they'll be looking to do very well there.

As for the team I pulling for, the gaffer (Ivica Osim) called up all of two Europe-based players, Naka and Takahara. I'm hoping that there's a method to Osim's madness, but we definitely won't have our strongest squad for the tournament.

 

Quarterfinal matchups:

Iraq vs Vietnam
Iran vs South Korea

Saudi Arabia vs Uzbekistan
Australia vs Japan


That was exactly what I was looking for. It's revenge time! :twisted:

 

I will be cheering for Japan. Of all the Asian countries Japan is the one I like the best. My brother, his wife and new son went to Japan this summer and had nothing but good things to say about the place. In fact, he bought me a Japanese club soccer jersey. I am not sure which club it is off the top of my head, but it is royal blue and it is nice.

Go Japan!

 

Royal blue... could that team be the Yokohama F-Marinos? I don't know any other teams that has that color on their jersey.

I actually saw a Japanese league match in person during my travels back in May, albeit it was a second-division fixture. It was a derby match between two teams in Kyushu, and the atmosphere was excellent for a game outside of the top-flight. It was a nice game-day experience, for sure.

The rivalry between Nippon and the Aussies is shaping up to be the biggest in Asia. If we can get our revenge, it will only fuel the fire even more. But I won't get too ahead of myself.

 

I am debating getting up for this match tomorrow morning. I doubt I will, but I will surely at least record it and watch it later. I will let you know which team the jersey is as well when I have a look at it when I go home.

 

i'm pissed Australia is still in it because tomorrow i'm going to the RSL vs. Everton match and I'm disappointed that Cahill won't be there. On the flip side...I hate to go against you KR but I have to cheer for the Aussies as they have too many players that I really like. However...if Japan wins...I will be happy for them and pulling for them to go all the way.

 

Socceroos deserve some redemption from getting hosed in the WC. Come on Aussies... Kewell with a thunderbolt in the 82nd minute to win. Calling it now.

 

yeah they did get cornholed in the World Cup....of course Japan will be looking for redemption for letting them off the hook in the World Cup. should be a great match. is it on tv anywhere?

 

Only on livestream broadcasts, I believe. I haven't found any sites that indicate the match will be shown.

At any rate, the actual match starts around 6:30am ET (4:30am Utah time) so even I'll be a bit hard-pressed to wake up for this one.

 

ALL Asian Cup matches are being shown on Setanta. The Japan-Australia match starts at 6:15AM ET/5:15AM CT. I am recording the match.

krhimself.....you were right, the kit I have is of the Yokohama F-Marinos. The name and number on the back are Nakazawa 22. Is he any good?

 

Am I the only one in the world who didn't forget about Uzbekistan who could have made it to the WC if FIFA didn't call for a replay when the bad officiating was against them yet they still won that match against Bahrain 2-1 but ended up losing the replay?

The reason why the Asian powerhouses Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia are hosting this thing is because Mohammed bin Hammam said he would give them the Asian Cup if they didn't put a candidate to run against him in the election for the AFC presidency.

But three of them did alright (not you Malaysia you bastard child!), Vietnam making it through and Thailand and Indonesia played decently. Vietnam is on its way to becoming a middle-tier nation in the AFC pyramid if you ask me. They won the ASEAN Cup and got through to the round of 8 in the Asian Cup.

My money is on Uzbekistan with all of their Eastern European experience. Japan and Australia are tied in my book, whoever wins that match gets the second spot, and Iran trails in third with the rest having an equal chance (even Vietnam with their fanatical support).

 

Oh my goodness, you have no idea how much of a rush I went through when the last PK went into the Aussies' net! I think I woke up a few of my neighbors because of that!

Well played to both teams, but at the end, the game was ours for the taking. Like they say, revenge is just too sweet. GO NIPPON!

ChiTom: Nakazawa was actually the guy who scored that last PK to send Japan through. He's probably the best defender in the nation, having played in the last World Cup, as well as the last two Asian Cups (both of which Japan won).


The other match of the day is still in progress: Iraq 2 - 0 Vietnam, in the second half

 

I was pleased to see Japan won this morning. That gives them some revenge for the World Cup last summer. It is also nice to know that the jersey I am wearing is of the penalty taker that won it for Japan this morning.

Two more to go for Japan!!