Asian Football: AFC Asian Cup 2007
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Have a good trip and see you here later for more soccer reportsOriginally posted by Jaeyoon:Ninja, SumOne and other friends here. I'm leaving for BKK this evening. I wonder what's the atmosphere there now. I'll let you know.
As usual, i'll still be here in the forum. I have access to internet at my home in Bangkok. I'll be in Singapore again next week.
Tonight I might not be contributing the result and stuff due to .....you know
Ninja, good luck to the team you support tonight.
This Sunday, Korea will meet bahrain. I hope we really can get the 3 points we badly needed to ensure we can go through to the quarters. As long as we end up getting 1 point, we're in danger.
I'll see you guys again when I'm in Bangkok.
Have a wonderful Friday. -
Ninja, SumOne and friends, I'm in Bangkok now.
I guessed correctly, Australia is over-rated! From the beginning, I don't know why the English media kept focusing on them just because they have some players playing in Europe, particularly the English Premier League.
Really, I don't see why other top Asian teams from the middle-east, Korea, China and Japan, and maybe Thailand can't beat them.
Iraq 3-1 Australia. Well done Iraq. I'm proud of them. Their country is war torn and yet they can stand up and do their country proud.
Australia has been over-rated. Really over-rated.
Never rely on what the biased media says. Use your own judgement if you wanna bet. I believe many people lost their bets.
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Something to add. What's the big deal with some Australian players in the EPL? To me, they're not stars. Only some people out there obsessed with EPL would say they're stars. They're just some average players in average teams like Everton or Blackburn Rovers. This is a big slap on the over-confident and over-rated Australians
Maybe we should say bye bye, Australia. This is only your first time in Asia, try again next time. Don't under-rate Asian teams. Look yourselves in the mirror. Are you that good? Before playing the first game, they wanted to win the Asian cup. Now it looks very unlikely. -
If there is anything left in Australia they need to whip Thailand in their next game and that is something we wouldnt want to see.It is either you have what it takes to be a Champion and its is getting obvious the Aussies dont or just take part and enjoy the nightlife in Bangkok.In the other game Japan beat UAE easily but became complacent when playing against 10 men also Osim was smart enough to let the boys kick the ball around instead of trying to humiliate the Arabs cuz they were getting to be sre losers.Some of the players were mere passengers and didint contribute much but at the end of the day we won.Thats it Japan,one step at a time ......steady as she goes and likewise Thailand too.
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As much as I want to believe in Malaysia & Indonesia,I feel that they are going to lose tonight.The Uzbeks are tougher to beat than the Chinese so expect something like 3 goals or more.Indonesia would have to contain the Arabs throughout 90minutes and I hope they have a good defensive strategy for that because playing attacking soccer against Saudi Arabia could turn out disastrous.
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Korea Goes All-Out to Win
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korea's national football team will go all-out in an attempt to pick up its first victory at the Asian Cup against Bahrain.
Dutch Pim Verbeek's side will face the Middle East powerhouse in the second preliminary match of Group D Sunday night at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which suffered a 25-minute power failure in Wednesday's Korea-Saudi Arabia match.
South Korea, ranked 51st, has dominated No. 100 Bahrain 9-3 with one draw.
The Korean squad, which drew with Saudi Arabia 1-1 after allowing a dubious penalty kick in the second half, is determined to win Sunday's match for a bridgehead to advance to the second round.
``Four points are enough in the two remaining games to qualify for the second round but I aim at six,'' Verbeek said after his team's practice Thursday.
``We will beat Bahrain by all means. If we tie again, the final game against Indonesia will be tough.''
Bahrain, on the brink of being disqualified after losing to co-host Indonesia 1-2, are desperate to stay alive.
Verbeek will stick to a 4-3-3 formation as in the first match.
Japan's Shimizu S-Pulse forward Cho Jae-jin, who satisfied the coach with several good performances against Saudi Arabia, is expected to play as a lone striker and revived Middlesbrough forward Lee Dong-gook, who played for nine minutes in the first match, will be used as a joker.
The 28-year-old English Premier Leaguer has recorded 10 goals in the past two Asian Cups.
Kim Jung-woo of Nagoya Grampus Eight will play central midfield and Yeom Ki-hun of Chonbuk Motors and Choi Sung-kuk of Ulsan Tigers, who headed in a goal in the opener, will be positioned as wing forwards.
As for Lee Chun-soo, suffering tonsillitis, he is not likely to start but is expected to be substituted during clutch time.
Defenders Kim Sang-shik and Lee Ho, who came off a one-game suspension due to yellow card accumulation in the preliminary round, will be assigned next to Kim Jung-woo.
In the four-back, Kim Chi-woo and Oh Beom-seok, whose active participation was helpful to the team's offense against Saudi Arabia, will play on each flank but speculation that the experienced and defensive-minded Kim Dong-jin of Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg and Song Chong-gug of Suwon BlueWings will make the starting roster cannot be ruled out.
Chunnam Dragons duo Kim Jin-kyu and Kang Min-soo are expected to play defense at center and captain Lee Woon-jae will keep Korea's goal post.
Meanwhile, Bahrain has a formidable two-top combination of Ala'a Hubail and Jaycee John Akwani.
Hubail was the leading scorer at the last Asian Cup with five goals and Akwani, born in Nigeria, acquired Bahraini citizenship last January.
Midfielder Mohamed Hubail, older brother of Ala'a, whose forward run is brilliant, is dangerous to watch.
However, as the team is low in transition in offense and their defense is suffering, a fast counterattack and space-penetrated passing would be the main factors in beating their rivals.
Meanwhile, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have agreed not to use the current training stadium due to poor lawn maintenance.
Because of the poor pitch conditions, Korean attackers practiced only volley shots and headers to prevent injuries while a few players from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain also suffered ankle injuries during training.
As a result, the Asian Football Confederation has accepted their request and has moved training sessions to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. -
At first glance it was like watching polar bears playing football with tigers after taking a closer look...Oh I see! It is Malaysia getting hammered again and this time by the powerful Uzbekistan.They really need a good coach to guide the lost team or else boleh concentrate on sepak takraw from now on.Indonesia almost pull of a draw with the Saudis putting up a courageous fight before losing steam in the last 15 minutes,they should have hold out...in the end no birthday present for their national coach.A salute to the Indos for showing Asean how to play Soccer with the heart and soul.
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The battle cry for Nippon is ((((NIPPON CHA CHA CHA NIPPON CHA CHA CHA))))))) just like the dance where you take two steps to the front and cha cha cha and then two steps to the back cha cha cha ending up on the same spot.I hope Osim will take Japan all the way to the final or else he better contact Zico and they both can Cha cha cha in the showers togetherOriginally posted by adsenserevolution:AUSTRALIA ARE REALLY 'SCREWED' IN THIS TOURNAMENT BUT CHEERS TO NIPPON! NIPPON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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asian football really cannot make it.
they hardly improve. there are so many empty seats!!!
china are now leading iran by 2 goals. -
Any team who plays Brazil would have to face the fear factor...."how many goals are we going to kena today? "This thought would never escape their minds even when playing with a weak Brazilian side.The Chinese and Uzbeks are using the same kind of sports psychology to intimidate their opponents in this competition and they should reach the last 4.Disappointing teams to watch so far are Australia, all the Arab teams but the most jialat is Malaysia (ASEAN Arab wannabees),I hope Thailand would do well and send the kangaroos packing in their last match.Thumbs up for the die hard teams
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iran came back to draw 2 - 2.
they should have won the match. -
Ninja, my heart is so painful. The Asian Cup jinx continues for us.
Should have beaten Saudi in the first game 1-0 but ....you know.
Dominated the match earlier against the Bahrainis but let in a goal minutes before full time to lose.
We have to beat Indonesia this Wednesday to stand a chance to advance. I admit, our players are to be blamed also.
How more can I say. The only hope is to beat Indonesia by as many goals as they can.
Jinx....continues.
Jae
in Bangkok
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Korea disposition turns out to be just as bad as the soccer pitch in Indonesia I am truly sorry for you now they really have to give everything they have against the co-host.Indonesia is playing like Cameroon in the 1992 WFC when they surprised the World beating Argentina 1-0 in the opening game.Their strategy is based on one touch football ,three men cover to a player + lots of running around .This strategy was very effective against the Saudis but eventually with 15 minutes left the legs just couldnt take it,when they play Korea I expect them to run out of wind much earlier.The bad condition of the pitch and the tendency for referees to favor the host would be the extra "Player" and so Korea must try to shoot from as far as 30/35m and capitalise on set pieces and corners.No offense but I will be rooting for Indonesia to deny Korea for a few personal reasons.Nevertheless good luck and may the luckier team qualify for the next round.Originally posted by Jaeyoon:Ninja, my heart is so painful. The Asian Cup jinx continues for us.
Should have beaten Saudi in the first game 1-0 but ....you know.
Dominated the match earlier against the Bahrainis but let in a goal minutes before full time to lose.
We have to beat Indonesia this Wednesday to stand a chance to advance. I admit, our players are to be blamed also.
How more can I say. The only hope is to beat Indonesia by as many goals as they can.
Jinx....continues.
Jae
in Bangkok -
It was more like a boxing match.China came into the ring like an oversized yellow Tyson trying to knock out Iran (Holyfield) but ended up almost getting knocked out in the process.Good news is China is almost to the next round and the bad news?? .....we didnt get to see anyone biting off earsOriginally posted by dragg:iran came back to draw 2 - 2.
they should have won the match. 
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Japan is on its way to clear the final hurdle today.Playing Vietnam will not be easy in front of a patriotic crowd and we have to show the Viets respect, something we already learned from playing SIngapore at Jalan Besar .What is worrying me is that Osim still doesnt have a regular 11 as he experiments with the young J-leaguers in every International game,putting Maki upfront together with Takahara is just a waste of manpower as he is never on target in big matches.Other names like Nakamura (the other one)and Hanyu just take up spaces in the soccer field.The defense line is the only department that is reliable up till now.Today I am hoping for a header from Nakazawa and hopefully a long range goal from any of the midfielders.I feel Nakamura (the one from Celtic) and Takahara will be bottled up good today.Forget about Maki scoring because he plays like a lost giraffe when be wears blue.Final result 1 or 2 goals at the very most for Japan but a draw is all too possible.
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I'm sorry for Korea..Originally posted by Jaeyoon:Ninja, my heart is so painful. The Asian Cup jinx continues for us.
Should have beaten Saudi in the first game 1-0 but ....you know.
Dominated the match earlier against the Bahrainis but let in a goal minutes before full time to lose.
We have to beat Indonesia this Wednesday to stand a chance to advance. I admit, our players are to be blamed also.
How more can I say. The only hope is to beat Indonesia by as many goals as they can.
Jinx....continues.
Jae
in Bangkok
Well hopefully, they can put 2-3 past Indonesia, and wait for results to go their way... -
Any idea which other teams are playing today as I dont have the fixtures with me now.Just dont want to miss the Australia Vs Thailand game.
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17:20Originally posted by Short Ninja:Any idea which other teams are playing today as I dont have the fixtures with me now.Just dont want to miss the Australia Vs Thailand game.
Army Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, VIE
Qatar v UAE
17:20
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, VIE
Vietnam v Japan
19:35
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, THA
Thailand v Australia
19:35
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, THA
Oman v Iraq -
wtf expect the koreas to win easilyOriginally posted by ordinaryguy32:I'm sorry for Korea..
Well hopefully, they can put 2-3 past Indonesia, and wait for results to go their way...
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Thanks for today fixtures.I am happy that the Arabs didnt kelong and Vietnam is into the next round,they played a good game against Japan today.Up to this stage Japan is still consistant and another step nearer to winning the championship three times in a row.At first we were hoping to avoid teams like Uzbekistan , South Korea and Australia along the way but I guess it doesnt matter now.Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!
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viet thrash by japan score already 4 : 1Originally posted by Short Ninja:Thanks for today fixtures.I am happy that the Arabs didnt kelong and Vietnam is into the next round,they played a good game against Japan today.Up to this stage Japan is still consistant and another step nearer to winning the championship three times in a row.At first we were hoping to avoid teams like Uzbekistan , South Korea and Australia along the way but I guess it doesnt matter now.Banzai! Banzai! Banzai! -
Ninja, Ordinaryguy32, SumOne and friends, I'm in Singapore again. I was in Bangkok for a few days doing some personal stuff. I had access to the internet at my home in Bangkok but because I was too busy, so....can't contribute my reports as well as my comments as usual.
Next trip will be back in Seoul to spend my Autumn Festival for a week in September.
Ok, Back to business. Well, I know we (korea) lost unfortunately. We'll see how we can deal with the Indonesians. You might not know, the host might have lost steam...
Anyway, thanks Ninja for being the host of this forum for the few days here. I know you don't like Korea for some personal reasons. Me too. I have something concerning Japan. You know, Korea-Japan relationship as well as China-Japan relationship etc... need not elaborate more. But I respect you as a good friend here already. Although you're supporting Japan, I have nothing against you. You have your rights and freedom to support the team you like.
Good Luck
Jae Yoon -
Friends, I'll contribute the reports and comments later.
take care and hope you have enjoyed Asian Cup so far.
Support Asian Football. -
Thanks xfool for your fixture during my absenseOriginally posted by xfool:17:20
Army Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, VIE
Qatar v UAE
17:20
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, VIE
Vietnam v Japan
19:35
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, THA
Thailand v Australia
19:35
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, THA
Oman v Iraq -
Welcome back, Jae Yoon.Originally posted by Jaeyoon:Ninja, Ordinaryguy32, SumOne and friends, I'm in Singapore again. I was in Bangkok for a few days doing some personal stuff. I had access to the internet at my home in Bangkok but because I was too busy, so....can't contribute my reports as well as my comments as usual.
Next trip will be back in Seoul to spend my Autumn Festival for a week in September.
Ok, Back to business. Well, I know we (korea) lost unfortunately. We'll see how we can deal with the Indonesians. You might not know, the host might have lost steam...
Anyway, thanks Ninja for being the host of this forum for the few days here. I know you don't like Korea for some personal, I also have too about Japan. You know, Korea-Japan relationship as well as China-Japan relationship etc... need not elaborate more. But I respect you as a good friend here already. Although you're supporting Japan, I have nothing against you. You have your rights and freedom to support the team you like.
Good Luck
Jae Yoon
Good sportsmanship you're exhibiting there.
Hope Korea can qualify like the Aussies...
Japan vs Australia.... I'm rooting for Japan!!