Asian Football: AFC Asian Cup 2007
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Iraqi celebrations inspire Sabri
Jul 25, 2007
PA Sport
KUALA LUMPUR – Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri says that the celebrations in Iraq following the national team’s progress to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup have served as inspiration to himself and his teammates.
Having faltered at the quarter-finals of the previous three tournaments, Iraq finally reached the last four for the first since 1976 with a 2-0 win over Vietnam in Bangkok last Saturday, triggering off mass celebrations back home.
But while the football team has brought a measure of relief to the people of the war-torn country, Sabri himself admits that the spirit of the players has also been lifted by the scenes of celebration.
“Of course there is daily communication with our friends and families in Iraq and we are aware through the internet and television of the widespread celebrations in Iraq after our victory against Vietnam in the quarter-finals,” the Iran-based keeper said.
“We have seen our friends, families and all of our people celebrating our victory and that has lifted our morale.
“Despite the critical condition in Iraq now, our people have been paying great attention to our football games.
“For the past 31 years, we haven’t got to the Asian semi-finals because we have always been stopped at the quarter-finals. But now we have made it so this is something historic for football in country.
“This is something good to support the people in Iraq and victory in the semi-final would bring greater happiness to the people.”
Sabri said that Brazilian Jorvan Vieira, who was appointed as IraqÂ’s national coach only two months ago, has to take some credit for the job of bringing together the team for the tournament.
“Coach Vieira has managed to build a wonderful relationship with the players in a short time,” said Sabri.
“It has not been easy for us because when we gathered in Amman for our preparations we had injuries and were tired after a long football season. But with the help and support of the staff and the coaches, we have managed to come together and unify the team.
“We have experienced players and good support and I believe we can achieve our target and bring happiness to our people and pride to our country. We have to thank our coach for making that happen.”
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Wednesday July 25, 2007 Match day 14
25/7/07
Match #29
18:20 (KL Time)
Semi-Final 1
Iraq vs Korea
National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Match #30
20:20 (Hanoi Time)
Semi-Final 2
Japan vs Saudi Arabia
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Yes Jaeyoon I dont know what is Choi Sung Kuk real function in the team and No 10 Lee Chun Soo is not finding his mark either.In Japan we support teams that has familiar names and some of your players are in the J-league.Iraq is the dream team but its time for them to wake up as I think they have done a lot for their country already and can go home with their heads hig.I hope Korea beat Iraq 2-0 to silence the critics and bring up the standard of this contest.Japan will have a much tougher game tonight,we need an early goal before we can welcome waves of attack and reply with the fast counter.
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Thank you Ninja.Originally posted by Short Ninja:Yes Jaeyoon I dont know what is Choi Sung Kuk real function in the team and No 10 Lee Chun Soo is not finding his mark either.In Japan we support teams that has familiar names and some of your players are in the J-league.Iraq is the dream team but its time for them to wake up as I think they have done a lot for their country already and can go home with their heads hig.I hope Korea beat Iraq 2-0 to silence the critics and bring up the standard of this contest.Japan will have a much tougher game tonight,we need an early goal before we can welcome waves of attack and reply with the fast counter.
Good luck to your team too. Just be careful of the 2 Al Qataris and Malek. They can be very dangerous on the break. I'm sure your defender Nakazawa knows it.
I'm leaving my office soon. My colleagues and friends are going home to watch and some will be out somewhere to support.
A friend of mine working in the Singapore Korean Association called me today, telling me that if we're in the final, they might organize a big gathering of the community for this Sunday's final. Well, I don't know if we can beat the Iraqis but let's hope so.
I'm a little nervous now although I'm not one of the players in the Korean squad (I only represented Korea during my university days
)
Take care Ninja. Enjoy your evening
SumOne, Ordinaryguy32 and other friends here, do support anyone of the 4 teams tonight and enjoy this entertaining evening. It's getting exciting.
Annyeong
Cheers
Jae-Yoon
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Lee Chun Soo ready to lead by example
Jul 25, 2007
PA Sport
KUALA LUMPUR –World Cup star Lee Chun-soo has declared himself ready to play a key role in leading Korea Republic to Sunday’s AFC Asian Cup final with victory over Iraq on Wednesday evening.
Lee was struck down by a severe fever on the eve of his teamÂ’s opening game against Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, limiting his role to that of a substitute as Pim VerbeekÂ’s team were held to a 1-1 draw.
Since then he has become increasingly involved in the teamÂ’s run to WednesdayÂ’s semi-final against Iraq, although he has fallen short of his own usual stellar standards.
But despite feeling the physical effects of the penalty shootout win over Iran in the quarter-finals, Lee is determined to make a significant impact as the Koreans seek to win their first title in 47 years.
“I’m almost completely recovered now,” he said. “I played against Iran for 120 minutes, so that means that physically I’m a little bit tired but there will be no problems playing against Iraq.
“Because of the stress and the pressure on my shoulders I fell sick with the fever and cold. But it’s got better and I’m getting better and better and so is the team, so I’m pretty sure that the next game will be good.
“We have come together to win the Asian Cup. We had a difficult game against Iran, which that was tough. We were happy after winning and in order to win the Asian Cup we have to win against Iraq and we have to go to the final and I’m sure we can win against Iraq.
“I’m sure it will be more difficult game than Iran because we are physically drained but if we concentrate better than in the previous games we are sure we can win the game against Iraq.”
Lee has dismissed any thoughts of being in the running for the tournamentÂ’s Most Valuable Player award and is instead focused on achieving his own goals, as well as those of the team.
“I haven’t thought about individual awards and I have a different target, which is to go to Europe and play for a club there,” said the Ulsan Hyundai winger.
“There are so many good players in the tournament and in our team and also around the Asian region. In our team there are many players who deserve to get the individual award.
“I only want to focus on my own future after we have been successful at the Asian Cup.” -
Endo desperate to make amends
Jul 25, 2007
PA Sport
HANOI – Perhaps more than any other player on the Japan squad, Yasuhito Endo is determined to steer his team to Sunday’s AFC Asian Cup final.
Despite being a key member of the squad that lifted the trophy in China three years ago, Endo was not on the field in Beijing as the Japanese successfully defended their title against the hosts.
A red card in the first half of the semi-final win over Bahrain meant Endo was left watching from the stands as Zico and his team celebrated JapanÂ’s third Asian Cup win in four tournaments.
“I might have been unlucky,” says Endo of the game, which Japan eventually won in extra-time. “I was sent off even though I didn’t touch the opponent.
“We are still in the semi-finals and if we can get a good result there I’d like to show what I can do in the game which draws the greatest attention throughout Asia and want to celebrate our Cup win with my team mates.”
The last three years have been a continuous learning curve for the Gamba Osaka midfielder, who has played 26 times for Japan since the last Asian Cup, including during the qualifiers for the World Cup.
He has also featured in the AFC Champions League for Gamba, where he won the J.League title in 2005, but he suffered the disappointment of being left on the bench during JapanÂ’s appearance at last summerÂ’s World Cup in Germany.
But while Zico favoured his Europe-based stars at the biggest events, the arrival of new coach Ivica Osim has seen Endo come back into favour and the Bosnian is taking advantage of EndoÂ’s growing experience.
“The way we play now is different from before,” he says. “The basics are more or less the same: we pass the ball around. But we move around more, and I feel that my movement has increased.
“I’ve got more self-confidence now. I had confidence before, too, when I played in the previous Asian Cup, but that was my first Asian Cup and, in some ways, I was figuring out what it was like to play.
“That was probably because I hadn’t played so many games in the national team. Now I’ve got more experience and I know I should take a leadership role in our team. That’s different from the last time and I see myself under less pressure this time around.”
In addition to success at the Asian Cup, the set-piece specialist has his sights set on the FIFA ConfederationsÂ’ Cup, with the winner of the continental championship earning a place in a competition.
Endo has already experienced playing in the tournament when Japan were drawn with the hosts in France in 2003 and he is relishing the prospect of doing so again.
“I had a very good time then as I thought I played well against France,” said the 27-year-old. “It’s best to gain confidence by playing in a game like that.
“We’ll be able to get another opportunity to play in the Confederations Cup in South Africa if we can win the Asian Cup. That will be a good rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup.
“The Asian Cup is a big tournament, worthy of challenging for the third straight success. I’d like to win it here and get there.”
Endo has been an ever-present so far for Japan, scoring once and setting up two in the defending championsÂ’ 4-1 win over Vietnam while also converting his spot-kick in the penalty shootout win over Australia in the quarter-finals, when two saves from Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi took Japan through.
“In the shootout, you need to have a bit of luck but it’s more like a competition of mentality and we overcame that, plus Yoshikatsu-san blocked their shots for us,” he said.
“I think we have become capable of playing with self-confidence at big moments like that, after having got through some experiences.
“I know we are still far from accomplishing what we think we can achieve with our football. But the more we play the game, the better we understand each other. We’ve been able to change the pace, speeding up and slowing down when needed while playing in the heat. That’s good.”
If Japan do reach the final, it will be EndoÂ’s first in an international tournament since the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999, when Japan finished as runners-up after losing to Spain.
“The only final I played in was the one at the World Youth Championship,” he says. “I’d love to be in the final of the Asian Cup and prove what I can do there. If I can go and find something beyond that, that would be great.” -
Yeom eyes greater glory
Jul 25, 2007
PA Sport
KUALA LUMPUR – His budding professional football career may have been in jeopardy a little over a year ago but after a remarkable 12 months, Korea Republic winger Yeom Ki-hun has got plenty of reasons to smile.
Having made his professional debut for K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the start of the 2006 season, Yeom was involved in a car accident last June that left him wondering whether he would have to call time on a career that had barely begun.
But the tricky left winger returned just two months later and helped to inspire Jeonbuk to an unlikely victory in the AFC Champions League, scoring three goals on their run to the championship including the crucial opening goal in the 2-0 victory against Syrian side Al Karama in the first leg of the final.
Looking back on that time, Yeom feels that the accident probably helped him to focus on becoming a better player.
“When I had the accident, I felt that it could be a very serious blow to me as I had just started my professional career and I was still a rookie in the K-League,” recollects Yeom, who still carries a scar of the accident on his right forearm.
“But during the time that I was recovering, I was able to think about the things that I should do and the movements that I could make during the game.
“Because I was able to think more about the game, I began to visualise things better on the field and maybe that’s why I was so successful afterwards.”
YeomÂ’s impressive form for Jeonbuk earned him a call-up to KoreaÂ’s U-23 squad for the Asian Games last December, creating a dilemma for the youngster, who also had the opportunity to play for his club at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
He eventually opted to go to Doha but despite returning without a medal after a 1-0 defeat to Iran in the bronze medal game, Yeom has few regrets about his decision.
“If I think about it now, it would have been a good experience to play for my club in a big tournament like the Club World Cup,” he says
“But I felt that it was also a great honour to be a representative of my nation in Doha. Playing for my country at the Asian Games meant a lot to me.”
Playing under national coach Pim Verbeek in Doha may also have served YeomÂ’s cause well as he found himself in consideration for the national team when the Dutchman was selecting his squad for the Asian Cup.
“This time last year, I was still just a K-League rookie, so I never imagined that I would be selected to play for my country at the Asian Cup,” he says.
“The only thing I was concerned about was that I should work harder than the others because I was a rookie.
“I was very focussed on working to establish myself as a professional player and I never imagined that I would progress so quickly to the national team.”
Yeom is naturally pleased with VerbeekÂ’s policy of utilising young players in the Asian Cup.
“I appreciate that young players like me have been given a chance to play in the Asian Cup,” the 24-year-old says.
“It is not the usual thing for young players to get the experience of playing in a big tournament like this but perhaps it is for that reason that all of us are working really hard and are highly motivated.
“All of us have the belief that if we work hard in training and the matches, we will get a chance to play here.”
While proud of his success at club level, Yeom admits that winning AsiaÂ’s biggest national team competition would be an even greater achievement for himself.
“It was quite an honour to be a member of the Jeonbuk team that won the AFC Champions League but personally, it would be a greater honour for me to play my country and win the Asian Cup.
“That’s the target for our team and that’s why we’re here to train and prepare everything. If we were to win the Asian Cup, it would be the greatest honour for me.”
While he ultimately dreams of a chance to play in Europe, Yeom says that his focus is firmly on his country and his current club at this time.
“It would be my ultimate target to play for the biggest teams in the biggest leagues in the world.
“But for now, it is important for me to focus on my own performances in the K-League and to show that I am a good player for Jeonbuk and Korea.” -
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Wednesday July 25, 2007 Match day 14
25/7/07
Match #29
18:20 (KL Time)
Semi-Final 1
Iraq 0-0 Korea Half Time (Full Time, AET)
Iraq 4-3 Korea PK
National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Match #30
20:20 (Hanoi Time)
Semi-Final 2
Japan vs Saudi Arabia
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam
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i just say my opinion to all : i think iraq or japan will win the cup!!! coz they play quite well!!!
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What I said before, wrong selection of players and wrong formation and tactic.
I really miss the services of those not injured and not selected like Park Ju Young, Chung Jo Kuk. And more, I really miss Guus Hiddink!
What can I say. Cannot deliver. This Saturday fighting for 3rd place again, like in Asian Cup 2000 when they were 3rd.
I am kinda frustrated. Verbeek's selection and tactics are not effective.
I'm very sure KFA will be changing coach.
Thanks Pim Verbeek. One more game (3rd/4th place) and wave good bye for his service.
Iraq better win the Asian Cup now that they have beaten us.
Congratulation to Iraq. They had a good game.
I feel so embarassed that we lost.
Ninja, good luck to your team. if your team enters the final, we can't meet. Korea can blame themselves. How can Verbeek not start Kim Dong Jin and Song Chong Guk when they're on the bench and available? They should start the game.
Song Chong Guk is a 2002 veteran.
Now everything is too late. Too late
Missed penalties - Yeom Ki Hun, Kim Jung Woo (back home, thousands of fans will be blaming them for sure. If anyone can read Korean, right away at this moment, I'm sure you can read their criticisms in the Korean football forums)
Living in Korea can be very pressurizing. -
Just imagine, we beat Iraq in the qualifier.
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Congratulations to Iraq ,Bye Bye Corea.
I actually thought the Iraqis were a better team tonight from the first whistle to the last kick .Why did the Korean players have to put on a shocked look? They should have taken their chances well and not use the penalty shoot out as their reserve parachute.Although the Koreans played well tonight there is still not enough firepower up front.Ok good luck next time .
Japan must prevail in the second game.My prediction .......no PK -
That early goal strategy didnt work for Japan.Typical goals by Yasser Qatani and Nakazawa as time starts to out in the first half.Up to this point Japan still look ok but wait till you see Osim drink water like a camel then you know we are really farked!!!
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Do you believe it? Our top clubs like Seongnam Ilhwa, Suwon Bluewings, Ulsan Tigers and Jeonbuk Motors in K-League can defeat our national team anytime in the current condition of the team.
Well, time to change our coach. KFA will start the search from tomorrow morning. -
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Wednesday July 25, 2007 Match day 14
25/7/07
Match #29
18:20 (KL Time)
Semi-Final 1
Iraq 0-0 Korea Half Time (Full Time, AET)
Iraq 4-3 Korea PK
National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Match #30
20:20 (Hanoi Time)
Semi-Final 2
Japan 2-3 Saudi Arabia (Full Time)
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Iraq through to final
Jul 25, 2007
PA Sport
KUALA LUMPUR – Iraq claimed a place in the AFC Asian Cup final for the first time ever after outlasting Korea Republic 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday evening.
After a physical encounter which finished goalless, the Middle Eastern side prevailed in the spot kick lottery as goalkeeper Noor Sabri tipped aside Yeom Ki-hunÂ’s spot kick and Kim Jung-woo hit the post with his sideÂ’s final attempt.
The Iraqis will face either Japan or Saudi Arabia in the final in Jakarta on Sunday, while the Koreans will be left to rue yet another missed opportunity as their title drought of 47 years continues.
Korea coach Pim Verbeek made two changes from his sideÂ’s quarter-final win against Iran with Cho Jae-jin replacing Lee Dong-gook at centre forward and Choi Sung-kuk coming in for Kim Jung-woo on the left of midfield, while Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira made only one alteration from the 2-0 win over Vietnam as Qusai Munir replaced Haitham Kadhim in midfield.
The heavy conditions caused by incessant rain didnÂ’t make for good football in a scrappy and goalless first half.
The first real chance fell to the Iraqis on 16 minutes as the ball broke in the Korean box to Younis Mahmoud, who arrived late yard box and fired a half-volley into the side netting.
The Koreans should have been awarded a free kick on the edge of the Iraq box midway through the half after Jassim Mohammed pulled down Lee Chun-soo but Kuwaiti referee Saad Al Fadhli allowed play to go on and Cho Jae-jin fired in a weak shot that gave goalkeeper Noor Sabri no problems
Iraq then went close when Haidar Abdul AmerÂ’s cross from the right on 28 minutes flew just in front of a completely unmarked Karrar Jassim.
Mahmoud then had another chance to increase his tally for the tournament in the 39th minute when he controlled Hawar MohammedÂ’s through pass on the turn and fired a left-footed shot across the body of goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, just wide of the far post.
Two minutes before the break, Choi Sung-kukÂ’s free-kick from the right of the Iraq box was punched away by Sabri just in front of a flying Cho Jae-jin.
The action picked up after the break with the best of the early chances falling to Lee Chun-soo whose shot on the turn in the 48th minute flew just wide
Basem Abbas was shown the gameÂ’s first yellow card in the 59th minute for a sliding challenge on Yeom Ki-hun and from the resulting free-kick, taken by Yeom, Kim Jin-kyu headed over.
The Iraqis received a gilt-edge opportunity on 62 minutes when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Korean box after Karrar Jassim tumbled over under a challenge from Kim Jung-woo. Nashat Akram fired in a low shot that ricocheted off the foot of Hawar Mohammed but flew straight into the grateful arms of Lee Woon-jae.
YeomÂ’s left-footed free kick on 66 minutes forced Sabri to scramble the ball off his goalline, and the left wingerÂ’s corner kick two minutes later was met by Kim Jin-kyu, whose goal-bound header was deflected wide.
At the other end, Mahdi KarimÂ’s low shot from the right of the Korean box crept between the legs of Younis Mahmoud and rolled just wide of the far post.
As both teams continued to create chances, Lee Chun-soo fired a volley wide while Hawar Mohammed rose in the Korean box to send a header just off target.
Deep into stoppage time, the Koreans were awarded a free-kick 30 metres from goal but with everyone anticipating a shot by Lee Chun-soo, it was Yeom Ki-hun instead who fired the ball into the wall before putting the rebound straight at Noor Sabri.
Extra time was called for Once again at Bukit Jalil and after a cagey opening, the Koreans nearly broke the deadlock in the 95th minute when Lee Dong-gookÂ’s flick on released Lee Chun-soo who rifled in a low shot from 20 metres which forced a good diving save out of Sabri.
Only the width of the post prevented the Iraqis from going ahead near the end of the first extra period of extra time as Mahdi KarimÂ’s cross from the right was misjudged by Lee Woon-jae and was met by Hawar Mohammed whose shot hit the left upright before being hacked off the line by Kim Jin-kyu.
In the second period of extra time, Lee Chun-soo sent a free kick from the right edge of the box just over the crossbar while Hawar Mohammed fired a shot across the face of goal with the Korean defence standing and watching.
As penalties loomed, a header off a Mahdi Karim corner flew straight at Lee Woon-jae before Lee Dong-gook squandered the final attempt of the game, firing high over the crossbar from 20 metres.
The first six penalties of the shootout were converted before Sabri tipped YeomÂ’s poorly-taken attempt around the post.
Ahmed Mnajed then converted before Kim Jung-wooÂ’s final attempt for the Koreans hit the right post, sending the Iraqis through to their first ever Asian Cup final. -
saudi are ahead again.
2 - 1 47th min. -
japan scored a superb equalizer. 54th min.
nobody watching? -
It's 2-2 now.Originally posted by dragg:saudi are ahead again.
2 - 1 47th min.
Why Japan always score in set piece?
And they tend to score to equalize when they're a goal behind.
That happened in the previous Asian Cup in 2004 against Bahrain and Jordan too. -
I'm watching.Originally posted by dragg:japan scored a superb equalizer. 54th min.
nobody watching?
You know what, It's 3-2 now to Saudi. -
saudi scored again. 3 - 2
pathetic isnt it? the stadium arent even full for the semi finals. -
Dragg, you know why? It's because of the Southeast Asian attitude. If the home team is not playing, they won't wanna watch.Originally posted by dragg:saudi scored again. 3 - 2
pathetic isnt it? the stadium arent even full for the semi finals.
If Singapore is one of the hosts, Singaporeans won't wanna go to the stadium too unless Singapore is playing and winning.
Or when Japan is playing. Singaporeans tend to support Japan. Do you know the reason? I think even if Korea is in Singapore, I don't think Singaporean fans will support Korea.
Remember 2004 in China? Even when China wasn't playing, the stadiums were full of spectators. During the Busan Asian Games 2002, there were quite a significant amount of crowd too.
I may be wrong but I guess it's the Southeast Asian attitude. -
Saudi's Malek is dangerous. Ninja, Japan cannot afford to let in anymore goals now.
Good luck. Japan still have the time to equalize. -
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Wednesday July 25, 2007 Match day 14
25/7/07
Match #29
18:20 (KL Time)
Semi-Final 1
Iraq 0-0 Korea Half Time (Full Time, AET)
Iraq 4-3 Korea PK
National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Match #30
20:20 (Hanoi Time)
Semi-Final 2
Japan 2-3 Saudi Arabia (Full Time)
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Ninja, both orientals are knocked out.
It's an all-middle-east final.
Anyway, we'll meet your team in the 3rd/4th playoff.
Corea - Japan after all although not in the final.
Finally we are gonna meet after so long in a major tournament.
Final : Iraq - Saudi Arabia.
Well, I wish Iraq all the best. They've beaten us to wake the KFA (Korea Football Association) up. We'll change coach and rebuild the national team.
I admit Korea didn't play up to standard. i am sad and disappointed but to be frank, they don't deserve to go to the final.
Everyone, thanks for supporting! Good night!