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Asian Cup 2004 Review

John Duerden reviews the 2004 Asian Cup

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Asian Cup Results

The final proved a fitting end to the competition as a whole; providing excitement, controversy and bad-feeling. Japan's 3-1 victory over China came via a new 'hand of God' goal by Japanese midfielder Koji Nakata which gave Japan the title and many Chinese fans the motivation to riot after the game.

The 32 games in the 2004 Asian Cup saw 94 goals and 17 red cards, fights between teams as well as team-mates but that's not the half of it. Controversy seemed to follow Japan around especially as captain Miyamoto's complaints led to the referee agreeing to change ends after Japan had missed the first two penalties in the quarter-final shootout against Jordan. Japan went on to win and claw their way past Bahrain in the 4-3 thriller in the semis.

Japan's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister both commented disapprovingly on the way that Japan were treated by their Chinese hosts as doubts were cast on Beijing's suitability to host the 2008 Olympics by some Japanese newspapers. Despite claims of Japanese exaggeration of events by the Chinese media, every game the boys from Nippon played, they were faced with a hostile crowd enthusiastically cheering on their opponents while banners in the stadium called for apologies for past Japanese behaviour.

However, such distractions and some bizarre refereeing couldn't disguise the fact that the gap between the traditional Asian heavyweights and the minnows has narrowed. Impressive performances from countries such as Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Iraq and Uzbekistan demonstrated that the Asian Cup is becoming increasingly competitive and while maybe it doesn't need to become more exciting, it could do with some more professionalism both on and off the field.

Group A

China

Coach Arie Haan told the country not to get too excited and it seemed to work as the opening game against Bahrain was played out in front of a half-full stadium. The game against Bahrain ended disappointingly but after the 5-0 victory over Indonesia the hosts never looked back. The Chinese improved as the tournament progressed with a strong defence marshalled by former Evertonian Li Weifing and a midfield controlled by Shao Jiayi. Japan proved to be too strong but China did enough to suggest that Korea and Japan have a new rival in East Asia.

Qatar

A terrible tournament for the Qataris, finishing rock-bottom. It wasn't really a tournament for coach Phillipe Troussier, as the man who guided Japan into the second round of the 2002 World Cup was fired after the first game. It didn't seem to do the trick and Qatar swiftly went out and then home.

Bahrain

The opening game between China and Bahrain was so nearly the closing game. Bahrain, a tiny country of only 680,000, gave the mighty Japan an awful scare in the semis and were a minute away from the final. The free-scoring Bahrainians, led by Alaa Hubail, who, despite missing an open goal that would have taken the semi-final to penalties, finished as the tournament's joint top scorer with five, will have given other small Arabian nations hope.

Indonesia

The new coach of Indonesia, Peter Withe, will surely be happy that his team finished above Qatar, courtesy of a 2-1 victory. A 5-0 drubbing at the hands of China gives a more accurate reflection of the task awaiting the hero of the 1982 European Cup final as he vies for South-East Asian dominance with his former team, Thailand.

Group B

Korea

A mixed bag for the Koreans and new coach Jo Bonfrere. The Korean public would say that the Olympics are more important but the truth is that the team didn't fire on all cylinders. After three clean sheets in the group stage, Korea's defence couldn't handle the fast and direct Iranians and let in four. 'The Red Devils', Korea's always impressive die-hard followers will have to fact the fact that they can no longer claim to support the best team in Asia.

Korea exit the Asian Cup

Kuwait

Kuwait's team was made up of young players and although it didn't show in the 3-1 victory over the UAE in the opening game, it did in the following two games against Korea and Jordan. Six goals were conceded and none were scored. The Kuwaitis put it all down to experience and have vowed to return all the stronger for it in the next Gulf Cup.

Jordan

One of Asia's most improving teams opted for defence in the group stages and it worked too, with three clean sheets being the reward. Goalkeeper Amer Shafi was inspired throughout but was unable to prevent the team coached by the Egyptian Mahmoud Gohary unluckily crashing out to Japan on penalties in the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw. Jordan looked pacy and powerful in that game and did enough to provide hope for the future.

United Arab Emirates

Played well against the Koreans and were unlucky to come away with a point. The wunderkid Ismail Matar only played a bit-part and without him, his team-mates were athletic but lacking in inspiration.

Group C

Iraq

Iraq looked dead and buried with ten minutes to go in the second game. The Uzbekis had surprised everyone's second favourite team in the opening game and Adnan Hamd's team were trailing in the second to the group's other central Asian team, Turkmenistan. However, two goals in the last few minutes delivered a 3-2 victory which was topped off with a sweet 2-1 win over rivals Saudi Arabia which sent the group favourites crashing out. It was Iraq's misfortune to meet the hosts in fine form in the last eight and lost their discipline as well as the game, which ended 3-0.

Saudi Arabia

The biggest shock of the competition was the Saudis finishing rock bottom of Group C. Their first opponents Turkmenistan held few fears especially as they had been soundly beaten 3-0 a month before in the World Cup qualifiers. However, a last minute equalizer deprived Gerard Van Der Lem's team of a victory and some breathing space. Even more shocking was the defeat to the group's other Central Asian team, Uzbekistan. When CSKA Moscow's teenage striker, Alexander Geynrikh's 25-yard strike proved to be the only goal of the game, the Saudis were almost on their way home. Their fate was merely confirmed with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of neighbours Iraq. The finalists for the past five competitions headed home and Van Der Lem, one of four Dutch coaches in China, paid the price for the early exit and was promptly sacked.

Turkmenistan

One point from three games doesn't really tell the whole story of the Asian Cup for the Turkmen who faced a daunting opening two games against the Saudis and the Iraqis. Coach Rahim Kurbanmamedov will have been delighted with a 2-2 draw against the perennial Asian powerhouse in the first game and were leading the Iraqis with ten minutes remaining in the second as a top two finish looked on the cards. Alas, it was not to be but the future looks bright for the boys from the steppes.

Uzbekistan

Along with Bahrain, Uzbekistan were the surprise package of the cup. The unfancied Central Asians were the only team to win all three group games, all with a 1-0 scoreline. Captain Mirdjalal Kasimov's free-kicks propelled his team into the quarters but the Alania Vladikavkaz midfielder could only look on in dismay as Bahrain triumphed in the penalty shootout after an exciting 2-2 draw. A small consolation for coach Ravshan Haydarov is that his team have shot 29 places up FIFA's ranking to 51st.

Group D

Iran

The talented Iranians looked to be in trouble in their second group game against Oman. Two goals down and with defenders Rezaei and Badavi hitting each other, the Iranians managed to equalize in the 93rd minute. Despite subsequent suspensions the team came alive in the quarter-final with 'the wizard of Tehran' Ali Karimi and Hamburg's talented Medhi Mahdavikia running rings around the Korean defence. That epic 4-3 victory was to be the highlight of the cup for the Iranians. The harsh dismissal of defender Sattar Zare in the semi-final against China, meant that Iran played most of the 120 minutes with only ten men. They managed to see the game into penalties but luck was not on their side.

Japan

A third title and second in a row for the boys in blue. With big players like Hidetoshi Nakata, Junichi Inamoto and Shinji Ono missing, it was always going to be difficult for the defending champions. However with captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto partnered in defence by the impressive Yuji Nakazawa, Japan showed an impressive strength in depth as well as in adversity. Crucial goals from the talented Keiji Tamada and Shunsuke Nakamura silenced the boo-boys, coach Zico's critics (for the moment) and put the easternmost member of the AFC well and truly at the top of the continental pile.

Japanese football - J.League & national team

Oman

It was the Omani's first Asian Cup and the boys from the tiny Gulf state have every reason to feel proud. It took a lovely strike by Japan's mercurial Shunsuke Nakamura to deprive the Middle-Easterners of a point, despite the fact that they had dominated the game for long periods. If Iran hadn't controversially equalized in the 3rd minute of injury time in the second game, Oman would have progressed to the next stage. Oman learned about the highs and lows of tournament football the hard way and should be all the better for it next time.

Thailand

One goal scored and nine conceded doesn't need much elaboration, although Coach Chatchai Paholpat did mention tiredness and injuries. He had a point especially as he had only been in charge for a month following the resignation of the former coach Carlos Roberto de Carvalho. A lovely goal by striker Sutee Suksomkit to put his team one-up against Japan probably had them dancing in the streets of Bangkok, unfortunately the game ended 4-1 to Japan and Thailand ended the group stage with no points.

Asian Cup Schedule & Results

First Round

Sat, July 17
Beijing - Opening Ceremony, 18:30
Beijing - Group A: China 2 v Bahrain 2, 20:00 (1)
Sun, July 18
Beijing - Group A: Qatar 1 v Indonesia 2, 17:00 (2)
Chengdu - Group C: Saudi Arabia 2 v Turkmenistan 2, 18:45 (3)
Chengdu - Group C: Iraq 0 v Uzbekistan 1, 21:15 (4)
Mon, July 19
Jinan - Group B: Korea Rep 0 v Jordan 0, 18:30 (5)
Jinan - Group B: Kuwait 3 v United Arab Emirates 1, 21:00 (6)
Tue, July 20
Chongqing - Group D: Japan 1 v Oman 0, 18:00 (7)
Chongqing - Group D: Iran 3 v Thailand 0, 20:30 (8)
Wed, July 21
Beijing - Group A: Bahrain 1 v Qatar 1, 18:30 (9)
Beijing - Group A: Indonesia 0 v China 5, 21:00 (10)
Thu, July 22
Chengdu - Group C: Turkmenistan 2 v Iraq 3, 18:30 (11)
Chengdu - Group C: Uzbekistan 1 v Saudi Arabia 0, 21:00 (12)
Fri, July 23
Jinan - Group B: Jordan 2 v Kuwait 0, 18:30 (13)
Jinan - Group B: United Arab Emirates 0 v Korea Rep 2, 21:00 (14)
Sat, July 24
Chongqing - Group D: Oman 2 v Iran 2, 18:00 (15)
Chongqing - Group D: Thailand 1 v Japan 4, 20:30 (16)
Sun, July 25
Beijing - Group A: China 1 v Qatar 0, 19:00 (17)
Jinan - Group A: Bahrain 3 v Indonesia 1, 19:00 (18)
Mon, July 26
Chengdu - Group C: Saudi Arabia 1 v Iraq 2, 19:00 (19)
Chongqing - Group C: Turkmenistan 0 v Uzbekistan 1, 19:00 (20)
Tue, July 27
Beijing - Group B: Jordan 0 v United Arab Emirates 0, 19:00 (21)
Jinan - Group B: Korea Rep 4 v Kuwait 0, 19:00 (22)
Wed, July 28
Chengdu - Group D: Oman 2 v Thailand 0, 18:15 (23)
Chongqing - Group D: Japan 0 v Iran 0, 18:15 (24)

Quarter Finals

Fri, July 30
Beijing - 1st Gp A v 2nd Gp C, 21:00 (25)
China 3 Iraq 0

Chengdu - 1st Gp C v 2nd Gp A, 18:00 (26)
Uzbekistan 2 Bahrain 2 (Bahrain 3-2 pens.) Sat, July 31

Jinan - 1st Gp B v 2nd Gp D, 21:00 (27)
Korea 3 Iran 4

Chongqing - 1st Gp D v 2nd Gp B, 18:00 (28)
Japan 1 Joran 1 (Japan 4-3 pens.)

Semi-finals

Tue, August 3
Beijing - Winner (25) v Winner (27), 21:00 (29)
China 1 v Iran 1
(China win 4-3 on pens.)
Jinan - Winner (26) v Winner (28), 18:00 (30)
Bahrain 3 v Japan 4

3rd/4th Place Play-off

Fri, August 6
Beijing - Loser (29) v Loser (30), 20:00
Iran 4 v Bahrain 2

Final

Sat, August 7
Beijing - Winner (29) v Winner (30), 20:00
China 1 v Japan 3

Japan are the 2004 Asian Champions and will defend their crown at Asian Cup 2007.

Asian Cup 2004

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