Asian Cup Draw 2007 Kuala Lumpur, December 20, 2006 Holders Japan will be hoping to three-peat when the 2007 Asian Cup kicks off in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia next July. The July 7-29 championships will include newcomers Australia for the first time. Saudi Arabia were restricted to playing their opening games in Malaysia or Indonesia due to an ongoing political spat with Thailand. Group A Australia Oman Iraq Thailand Group B Japan UAE Vietnam Qatar Group C Iran

"We won tonight, so our fans will be shooting in the air, and that is better than shooting at each other." Such was Iraq coach Jorvan Viera's frank assessment after his team shocked Australia 3-1 at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.

The traditional O-bon holidays in Japan signal bumper crowds for many J-League teams, with several clubs throwing up full house signs during an action-packed fixture list. Round 19 A crowd of 53,916 turned out at Nissan Stadium on August 11, as Yokohama F. Marinos clashed with Yokohama FC. Port city minnows Yokohama FC had beaten their illustrious cross-town rivals 1-0 at Mitsuzawa Stadium earlier in the season, but Yokohama F. Marinos inflicted a terrible vengeance, winning 8-1 in the return fixture. Striker Hideo Oshima scored four goals in that match, before later declaring that he was "too old" to figure in Japan coach Ivica Osim's national team plans.

Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira must have wondered why his team bothered leaving Bangkok at all. After coming to the somewhat disconcerting realisation that his team had no accommodation booked upon their arrival in Kuala Lumpur, Vieira probably let fly with a few choice words two days later when he stepped out on to the pitch at the cavernous Bukit Jalil Stadium. Greeted by the now familiar site of torrential rain lashing the ground, the pitch was visibly cutting as the two teams warmed up. Outside the ground fans could have been forgiven for preparing their arks, as apocalyptic-looking rain clouds drifted over the city, seemingly determined to converge directly above the bafflingly large stadium. If the Petronas Towers are the obvious symbol of Kuala Lumpur then Bukit Jalil is a symbol of excess - it is difficult to envisage how this behemoth of a stadium could ever be filled to capacity. Nevertheless there was a noticeably improved atmosphere for the semi-final clash between Iraq and Korea Republic, as thousands of noisy Korean fans forced their Iraqi counterparts to lift their own game.

Iraq coach Jorvan Viera has been hot and bothered by the lack of hotel rooms in Kuala Lumpur. Pim Verbeek's Korea Republic have flattered to deceive. Japan came to the Asian Cup seeking revenge over Australia - got it - and will need to stay motivated for the rest of the tournament. And Saudi Arabia coach Helio Anjos claims that his team needs to overcome an inferiority complex. The Asian Cup has reached the semi-final stage and the four remaining combatants could hardly present more contrasting emotions.

Vietnam’s fairy-tale run at the Asian Cup has come to an end, after they were beaten by Iraq in their quarter-final encounter at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. Thousands of colourfully-attired Vietnam fans turned out in support of their team, but they made little difference as Iraq ran out comfortable 2-0 winners on the back of a superb individual performance from captain Younes Mohammed. He opened the scoring from Iraq’s first attack of the game, rising highest to flick home playmaker Nashat Ali’s free-kick barely ninety seconds into the match. Some desperate defending from Nhu Thanh Vu twice prevented Iraq from going further ahead, with the Vietnamese clinging on grimly in the hope of avoiding a rout. On the stroke of half-time Iraq were forced into a desperate goal-line clearance of their own, as Nguyen Vu Phong saw his strike cleared off the goal line by substitute Ahmad Abid Ali. Normal service was resumed in the second half with Iraq continuing their procession towards Hong Son Duong’s goal. The west Asian team extended their lead just after the hour mark when Younes Mohammed curled a superb free-kick over the wall and into the top right hand corner of Duong’s goal. Despite their determined efforts Vietnam were unable to find the back of the net during the closing stages of this match, to the disappointment of the few thousand travelling fans that made up the majority of another sparse crowd in Bangkok . While admitting that he was pleased to lead Iraq to the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time since 1976, coach Jorvan Viera was unimpressed with his team, suggesting that they would have to improve if they were to have any hope of lifting the trophy. Iraq will now face Korea Republic in the last four, after the Koreans disposed of Iraq's regional rival Iran on penalties in their quarter-final. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com Hotels in Bangkok - Bookings Hotels in Kuala Lumpur - Bookings Hotels in Jakarta - Bookings Hotels in Hanoi - Bookings Hotels in Ho Chi Minh - Bookings

Former Liverpool midfielder Craig Johnston claimed it was potentially "one of the great rivalries in Asian football." Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa predicted a 3-0 win for his side and told reporters "we can't lose twice." Australia and Japan fans have been poring over the minutia of every comment made by player or reporter alike - eager to highlight the flaws, desperate to imagine an advantage. Make no mistake, the quarter-final clash between Japan and Australia at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi is one of the most anticipated of this year's Asian Cup. Ever since Australia beat Japan 3-1 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the Blue Samurai have been dreaming of a rematch. They were granted that wish somewhat earlier than anticipated, with Australia's second-place finish in their Asian Cup group ensuring a quarter-final showdown against their old foes. Japan arguably go into this match in better form.

I’m not entirely certain that I’m staying in one of the more reputable hotels in Bangkok. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure how many hotels usher you in through a side entrance because they are building a highway out the front. I can think of at least one. Still, I appreciated the thoughtfulness of the staff when I arrived back from Thailand’s recent clash with Australia. “Sawat dii,” they all said, clasping their hands in unison. “Congratulations on the victory!” “Thank you!” I replied, smiling jovially and no doubt looking slightly demented. “Mind you, I didn’t actually play myself. I just watched!” Cue worried faces from the bemused staff. Nevertheless their demeanour was an improvement on the behaviour of Bangkok’s notorious cabbies. Taxi’s in Bangkok are a bit like elections. There’s always one around the corner, and you just know they are going to be useless. Catching a taxi after Australia had thumped Thailand proved a difficult proposition. “Hello, will you take me to the Hotel de Concrete, please?” I would ask. “Get out,” the cabbie would reply, evidently hoping for a larger fare, although I’m not sure where he expected to go – the planet Mars, perhaps? My next tactic proved equally unsuccessful. Hailing a cab on busy Ramkhamhaeng Road, I simply sat down and refused to move until the driver took me to my salubrious destination. This had the effect of further grid-locking the capital’s already choked streets, as my cabbie and I locked horns in a tense stand-off for control of the meter. It took the driver behind us stepping out to retrieve what I presume was a baseball bat for me to flee the scene. Maybe I shouldn’t have been wearing my Australia jacket. Or maybe I should have offered a bribe that would have bought more than a small cheeseburger at the local food emporium. At any rate, Spot-The-Aussie was proving a popular spectator sport as hordes of Australia fans hopped frantically from one taxi to the next. Eventually, two young men wandered over. “Where are you going?” they enquired. I raised a quizzical eyebrow, somewhat concerned by the prospect of making an unscheduled trip to the Cambodian border. Then I handed them my crumpled directions. “Ah, the Hotel de Concrete!” they chuckled. “No taxi driver will take you there! You need to take the bus.” I looked in my wallet. Not a single Thai coin to be found. I knew I’d live to regret buying so many spicy chicken wings from the street-side vendors before the match. “Will they take this?” I said sheepishly, holding out a 50 Baht note like the clueless tourist that I am. Lin and Toto - as they told me their names were, reached deep into their pockets and handed me several small coins. I was touched. I tried to give them my 50 Baht note, but they would have none of it. Leaping onto the moving bus in a style reminiscent of Indiana Jones - at least in a scene where he doesn’t trip on the stairs and nearly fly head first out the window, I began to ponder the lessons learned on my trip back to the hotel. I learned that the majority of Thai’s are friendly and compassionate and willing to help – even after their national team has just lost a match that saw them knocked out of a major international tournament. Perhaps just as importantly – at least for anyone planning on attending a match at Rajamangala Stadium in the near future, I learned another crucial lesson that I am willing to share with you, valued reader, right now…

Australia have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup after they defeated Thailand 4-0 at a rain-soaked Rajamangala Stadium . Coach Graham Arnold rang in the changes ahead of this match, and it was one of the newcomers in Michael Beauchamp who opened the scoring for The Socceroos, heading home his first ever goal for the national team after twenty-one minutes. Captain Mark Viduka then scored twice, before substitute Harry Kewell added a fourth in stoppage time at the end of the match as Thailand's tired legs gave way. The scoreline was harsh on the tournament co-hosts, who pushed Australia for eighty minutes of this encounter and who tested Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer on several occasions. Despite the unflattering scoreline, Thai coach Chanvit Polchovin spoke glowingly of his side, which ultimately finished the group stage level on points with Australia - albeit with an inferior head-to-head record and goal difference. Polchovin told reporters that he hoped Thailand's performance in the competition would inspire local fans to pay more attention to the domestic scene, with Thai fans well renowned for supporting teams in the English Premier League. A vociferous crowd of 46,000 predominantly Thai fans roared on their team, and Thailand went agonisingly close when Kiatisuk Senamuang only just failed to connect with Suree Sukha's low cross into the penalty area. By then Thailand were already a goal behind, with 1.FC Nürnberg defender Beauchamp having risen highest to head home a Luke Wilkshire free-kick midway through the first half. It took until ten minutes from time for Australia to make the game safe, with skipper Mark Viduka scoring a tremendous solo goal, taking a cross from substitute Tim Cahill on his chest before twisting passed the Thai defence and picking his moment to fire beyond Kosin Hathairatanakul in the Thai goal. Just three minutes later Cahill and Viduka combined again, with the Newcastle United striker heading home to take his goal tally for the tournament to three. Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell - on as a substitute for the final half hour, then sealed proceedings with a goal in stoppage time, gallopping down the right hand side before slotting the ball passed the luckless Kosin. Australia's reward is a quarter-final showdown with Japan, just over a year after The Socceroos beat Japan 3-1 at the FIFA World Cup in Germany . Japan captain Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi claimed before the tournament that Japan were "burning for revenge," and Japan will have the chance to avenge that defeat when these two old foes clash at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on July 21. Australia v Iraq Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com

Friday the 13th, 2007 is a day that will dwell in infamy for Australian football fans. I pondered the depths of their despair as I tramped along the dusty perimeter of Rajamangala Stadium in the aftermath of Australia’s 3-1 defeat to Iraq, where I stumbled upon a group of young Thai’s playing street-ball in the expansive forecourt of Thailand’s national stadium. Their movement was fast and fluid – they played purely for the love of the game. Their football was in stark contrast to Australia’s. There’s nothing fun about being an Australian football fan at the present moment in time.