Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Jakarta, IndonesiaThe 2007 Asian Cup takes place from July 7-29. The tournament is jointly hosted by four nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Japan are the currently holders and will be aiming to three-peat as champions but will face competition from South Korea, newcomers Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia. This is the 14th time the event has been held.
A group containing Australia, Iraq, Oman and hosts Thailand is likely to see a powerful Socceroos outfit come out on top, despite Australia making their debut in this competition.
There will be a spirited battle for second place, with Iraq likely to pip Oman for a spot in the quarter-finals. With a partisan home crowd behind them Thailand could throw a spanner in the works, making the overall outcome of this group a tough one to predict.
Put your money on: Australia to top the group, and make a run to the semi-finals.
Another tough group to predict, with Japan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and hosts Vietnam all jostling for supremacy. Two time defending champions Japan should top the group, with Qatar and the UAE battling it out for second place.
The key match takes place between Qatar and the UAE at the Army Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, when those two clash in the final group game. If either team can take maximum points, then they are likely to finish as runner-up behind Japan and book a place in the quarter-finals.
Put your money on: Vietnam to lose all three matches. They lack the necessary experience to compete on the continental stage.
China reached the final of the last installment of the Asian Cup on home soil, but in a group containing Iran, Uzbekistan and hosts Malaysia, the Chinese could have a much tougher task this time around.
Iran look the team best equipped to top the group, particularly with dangerous Bolton striker Andranik Teymourian leading the line. Second place could be a trickier prospect, with China and Uzbekistan likely to put up a colossal tussle to reach the last eight. They clash in the final group game at Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, and the Uzbeks will fancy their chances of knocking over the under pressure Chinese.
Put your money on: Outsiders Uzbekistan to cause an upset and finish as runner-up behind Iran in this group.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Korea Republic and hosts Indonesia will meet in steamy conditions, with favourites Korea Republic having been decimated by injuries. That will encourage both Bahrain and Indonesia, with the Indonesians having the added advantage of a fervent support behind them.
Despite their injury concerns, Korea Republic should have the strength in depth to see off both Bahrain and Indonesia. That means they are likely to be locked in a tussle for top spot with the highly experienced Saudis, with the runner-up in this group likely to meet Iran in the quarter-finals.
Put your money on: Indonesia to upset Bahrain in the opening Group D fixture at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Champions - Japan
Runner-up - Iran
Third place - Australia
Top scorer - Naohiro Takahara (Japan)
Most valuable player - Ali Karimi (Iran)
Rajamangala Stadium, BangkokGelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia - capacity: 100,000
Jaka Baring Stadium, Palembang, Indonesia - capacity: 40,000
Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - capacity: 100,000
Shah Alam Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - capacity: 69,000
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand - capacity: 60,000
Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand - capacity: 35,000
My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam - capacity: 40,000
Army Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - capacity: 25,000
| Team |
| Australia |
| Iraq |
| Thailand |
| Oman |
| Team |
| Japan |
| Qatar |
| UAE |
| Vietnam |
| Team |
| China |
| Iran |
| Malaysia |
| Uzbekistan |
| Team |
| Bahrain |
| Indonesia |
| Korea Republic |
| Saudi Arabia |
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