AFC Asian Cup 2007

Jaeyoon SG

Let's talk about the AFC Asian Cup 2007. Smile

Sixteen teams will contest the final rounds of the AFC Asian Cup 2007, which will, for the first time, be co-hosted by four nations Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The tournament from July 7 to 29, 2007 will be split into two stages with a round-robin group stage and a knockout stage.

GROUP STAGE
The 16 finalists will be seeded and divided into four groups of four teams each during the final round draw. Each team plays each of the other teams in the same group according to a league system (three points for a win, one point for a draw, no points for a defeat). The winners and runners-up in each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

KNOCKOUT STAGE
Quarter-finals
The winners of each of the four groups will meet a runner-up from another group in the quarter-finals. All four quarter-finals will take place over one match with the winner progressing to the semi-finals. If the score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time, an extra two periods of 15 minutes each will be played. If the score is still level after extra time, the winners will be determined by kicks from the penalty mark.

Semi-finals
The four winners of the quarter-finals play the semi-finals over one match with the winners progressing to the final. As with the quarter-finals, extra-time and penalties will be utilised in the event of a draw between two sides.

Final
The winners of the semi-finals play in the final to determine the AFC Asian Cup 2007 champions. As with the quarter-finals and semi-finals, extra-time and penalties will be utilised in the event of a draw between the two sides.

Group A - Host Thailand
Australia
Iraq,
Oman,
Thailand

Group B - Host Vietnam
Qatar
UAE
Japan
Vietnam

Group C - Host Malaysia
Iran
Uzbekistan
China
Malaysia

Group D - Host Indonesia
Saudi Arabia
Korea Republic
Bahrain
Indonesia

Just like the UEFA European Championship in Europe, there are 16 teams competing. But this time in Asia, it's the first time that there are 4 co-hosts.

For TV viewers, in your respecting countries, there might be some local channels telecasting live for certain matches featuring your country if your country is involved in any group game. For the entire Asian continent, the ESPN-Starsports will telecast most of matches live. If I'm not wrong, Starsports will be the main channel for the Asian Cup.

Ok, welcome your views. Which countries will be in the quarters and semis?

a-Lost-9uY SG

no SG Sad

Adolez SG

What? Even Malaysia is in.

Jaeyoon SG

You've mistaken.
Malaysia is in because they're one of the hosts.

Not because they qualified. Singapore can be one of the 4 hosts too but Singapore football association didn't want. It's a big mistake. So don't be surprised that Malaysia is in. Remember, NOT QUALIFIED BUT BEING HOST can automatically qualified.

Singapore last hosted in 1984. They have never qualifed before. Asian Cup 2007 is the best chance to play in Asian Cup but Singapore blew it.

ASIAN CUP is a few times more important and more prestigious than your regional Tiger or Asean Cup. Quite sad that your FAS doesn't dare to take on the big teams. Thus making Singapore fans not aware of this biggest Cup event in Asia. Other countries are ready for the start of the Asian Cup but I don't see Singaporeans get excited. Surprised

Dead_Man_Inc SG

Even if we are in, I won't get excited. Because we have to pay to watch it

nanren4ever SG

I think TS is right in saying we blew the chance of hosting the Asian Cup. Now that we are champs of ASEAN, we should start pit ourselves against Asian's best, and see how far are we from being the top 5 nations in Asia.

If I were 2 base it on the way we play Australia last sat, i would say its encouraging. For the first 45 mins, we created chances. I would say the turning point came when Harry Kewell was subbed on when we were 1-0 down. Seems as if the Singapore team suddenly became awe-struck by the Liverpool player. Kewell created a lot of chances after he came on, and that's why we lost 3-0 in the end.

1 thing that make me worry though, is how we go down a little too easy. Was it me or were the Singapore players being carried off more times on the stretcher than I care 2 remember? It could have been due 2 the fact we are playing our 3rd game in less than 1 week, or due to the fatigue that is setting in. Either way, we still have 2 improve on our phsyique a little more.

iSpeak SG

Sad to say, our little Singaporean footballers have a distinct disadvantage when it comes to physique. Picture Khairul Amri against Mark Viduka. I wasn't surprised many of them got bumped off so easily.

Have any of you ever played soccer with big, hulking guys? All things in skill and fitness being fair, the little guy will always be at a disadvantage. It's so easy to just get bumped off the ball when someone much bigger is running alongside you chasing for it too.

Height is one thing ; slimness of build is another. Roberto Carlos and Diego Maradonna were some short-arse players but had robust and stout builds to offset that.

I would say that slim guys like Amri have to spend a little more time in the gym bulking up to complement his fairly decent football flair.

Jaeyoon SG

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http://www.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=263912

Official Soccer Talk: Asian Football: AFC Asian Cup 2007

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