Thursday, June 28, 2007 Osim forced to drop Tanaka
Japan coach Ivica Osim has been forced to drop influential defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Hiroki Mizumoto from Japan's squad for the upcoming Asian Cup because of injuries. "Neither of them has any chance of playing at the Asian Cup. I want them to recover from their injuries and come back and challenge again," Osim told reporters after Wednesday's training session. Tanaka hurt his left knee in the first half of Urawa Reds' 1-0 win at Shimizu S-Pulse in the J. League last weekend and revealed on Monday that he would need three to four weeks to make a complete recovery. However, the 2006 J. League Player of the Year refused to give up hope and said he would work "to make miracles happen" to be fit in time for Japan's Group B opener against Qatar in Hanoi on July 9.
Japan is over-rated especially now Tulio is out of their central defense. In the last Asian cup they had a lot of trouble playing in the heat of southern China, so much so that they requested to delay their kickoffs till after dark.
It is 35C this time of the year in Vietnam. Their first game is a 5pm kick-off.
TOKYO (AFP) - Japan coach Ivica Osim admits it won't be easy to clinch a third straight Asian Cup as tournament favourites, but has urged his team to rise to the challenge.
"Every team hates to be called favourites. It's like drawing a joker in a card game," said the 66-year-old Bosnian, who led the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals.
"As the winners of the last two tournaments, Japan have no choice but to be seen as favourites," he told reporters following a a four-day training camp outside Tokyo.
"It doesn't make us feel good. Our opponents will come out as challengers."
Japan are drawn to play Gulf Cup champions United Arab Emirates, Asian Games winners Qatar and Vietnam, one of the four co-hosts.
Along with Japan, Australia, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia are seen as strong contenders for the trophy.
"Only a few of this national team have experienced the last two tournaments. I have selected talented players. I want them to seize this opportunity to become a great team," Osim said.
He has named a provisional 30-strong Asian Cup which will be reduced into a final 23 after the J-League shuts down on Saturday for the July 7-29 continental tournament.
Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura and Franfurt striker Naohiro Takahara are the only two of the dozen Japanese playing in Europe to be selected.
The squad includes veterans of the last two triumphs -- Nakamura, whose left-foot kicks powered Celtic to a second straight Scottish Premier League title, former Portsmouth goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi and Yokohama Marinos centre-back Yuji Nakazawa.
Osim has been forced to drop key Brazilian-born centre-back Marcus Tulio Tanaka and another defender Hiroki Mizumoto due to injuries.
"The Japanese national team are not a side which will collapse without them," said the Bosnian. "We must look at the players who are still here. Then we will become a better team."
Gamba Osaka defender Akira Kaji added: "No doubt that the competition will be hard at the Asian Cup. Asian countries move with compact plays and they have speed and toughness.
"There is a growing number of European coaches who make the game more sophisticated."
Aside from Osim, Frenchman Bruno Metsu coaches the UAE and Qatar are led by Dzemaludin Musovic who was Osim's assistant in the former Yugoslavia's World Cup squad in 1990. Austrian Alfred Riedl guides the youthful Vietnam side.
Japan aiming for third straight Asian Cup soccer title
Bidding for a third consecutive title, and to become the first four-time continental champion, Japan enters the Asian Cup recognizing that winning again has become a lot more difficult.
Japan won the Asian Cup in 2000 by edging then defending champion Saudi Arabia 1-0 at Lebanon, and defended the title in 2004 with a 3-1 win over the host China.
With Australia joining the tournament for the first time, Japan could face a bigger challenge repeating.
It was just over a year ago that Japan lost to Australia in its first match of the 2006 World Cup, conceding three goals from the 84th minute in a 3-1 loss.
The collapse in Kaiserslautern pretty much ended Japan's hopes of advancing beyond the first round in Germany and the team bowed out after a draw with Croatia and a loss to Brazil.
But Ivica Osim, who replaced Zico as Japan coach after the World Cup, said he welcomes the addition of the Socceroos to the Asian Cup.
"I think it's good for Asian football," Osim said. "It's good for Australia because they are in a stronger group and it's good for Asian countries because they will be competing against many talented players who play in Europe."
Japan is aiming to emulate Iran's three consecutive titles from 1968.
Iran's 1972 title in Thailand was wedged between triumphs at home in 1968 -- when the tournament was still in round-robin format -- and '76.
Saudi Arabia also has three titles, it's hopes of three in a row crashing to Japan in the 1992 final. The Saudis have won three of the last six tournaments, and reached five finals.
The Japanese have dominated recent editions, winning three of the last four tournaments.
This time, Osim named a provisional 30-man roster for the tournament that includes Europe-based stars Naohiro Takahara and Shunsuke Nakamura.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Takahara scored 11 goals in the Bundesliga this season. Celtic midfielder Nakamura earned both the Scottish Player of the Year and Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year awards for his outstanding performance throughout the season.
Japan could meet Australia in the quarterfinals should either side fail to top its group.
Japan goaltender Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who was in goal for the World Cup loss to Australia, said his teammates look forward to a chance at redemption.
"We'd like to face Australia again," said Kawaguchi. "That would be a very special game for us."
Osim's team has been drawn in Group B against 2006 Asian Games gold medalist Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
Unlike Zico, who had a habit of predicting Japan could win just about anything, Osim prefers to keep the expectations in check.
He has criticized Japanese soccer officials for not giving domestic players enough time to prepare for the tournament.
"Japan's players are tired and the motivation is down," said Osim. "I fear they won't have the time or strength to prepare properly."
Osim also said Japan will have a tough time defending its title as other countries will be motivated to topple his team.
"Other teams in Asian football are always motivated to beat Japan," said Osim. "For political reasons or whatever, other teams always try harder to beat Japan so we have to find a way to motivate ourselves."
(AP)
UAE star striker Matar battling to be fit for Asian Cup
(AFP) - United Arab Emirates star striker Ismail Matar is battling against time to be fit for the upcoming Asian Cup, and admits his side have problems to iron out before being ready.
Matar, who top-scored for Bruno Metsu's side in January's victorious Gulf Cup campaign, has endured a gruelling domestic season with Al Wahda and is not happy with the way he is playing.
"I am not happy with my performance in the friendly matches we played against Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain," he told reporters, despite scoring two goals against Malaysia and Bahrain.
"I don't feel that I am fully ready to take part in the finals but I have hope that in the remaining period of the training camp I will gain most of my physical and technical capabilities."
The UAE have been preparing for the tournament in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore before heading to Hanoi where they are grouped with defending champions Japan, Asian Games gold medallists Qatar and hosts Vietnam.
Matar scored five goals in as many matches in the Gulf Cup, including the one that sealed a 1-0 win over Oman in the final, and he is a key part of Metsu's team.
"I feel that the team need more work to reach the extent which will make everyone confident of achieving good results in the finals," added the 24-year-old.
"I am not being pessimistic. I'm sure that by the end of the training camp we will be a better side than at the moment."
The UAE have an erratic Asian Cup record since their debut in 1980.
They reached the semi-finals in 1992 and narrowly missed the Cup in 1996 by losing a penalty shoot-out to Saudi Arabia in the final.
After failing to qualify in 2000, they finished bottom of their group three years ago in China.
Qatari young guns out to shine
(AFP)
4 July 2007
HANOI — Qatar bring a mix of youth and experience into the Asian Cup as they look to put the failure of three years ago in China behind them.
The Gulf state side are old hands at the Asian Cup finals, having qualified six times before, but they have never managed to go the extra yard, crumbling when the pressure is on.
Aside from 2000 when they made the quarterfinals, they have failed to get beyond the group rounds.
Now coached by Bosnian Dzemaludin Musovic, who was an assistant to current Japan coach Ivica Osim when he led the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarterfinals, they open their account against Japan on July 9.
It is a critical match with the defending champions hotly tipped to win Group B, leaving Qatar to fight it out with UAE and Vietnam for the second qualifying place.
Despite the small size of the country, Qatar is a vastly improved team, winning the Gulf Cup in 2006 and the Asian Games football title, under Musovic, the same year.
Qatar has ploughed money into football and while part of the cash has been used to lure aging foreign names to the Q-League, they are also developing home-grown talent.
Their side is young and littered with promising players, but while the youth team has had some impressive results, it has so far never been carried over to the senior ranks.
They ran into poor form after the Asian Games, eking out two draws and three defeats — to Iran (1-0), Bahrain (2-1) and Iraq (1-0) — before bouncing back to beat Ghana 3-0 and Turkmenistan 1-0. Their trump cards in Vietnam will be Uruguay-born forward Sebastian Soria and former Manchester City winger Hussain Yasser, although they have have lost midfielder Khalfan Ibrahim, the current Asian Player of the Year, to injury.
Soria and Yasser were the backbone of the success at the Asian Games and will be keen to showcase their talents on the broader Asian stage, particularly Soria, 18, who has made a big impact since gaining Qatari citizenship last year.
Their last Asian Cup was memorable only because coach Philippe Troussier, famously known as the “white witchdoctor’ during a successful coaching spell in Africa, was fired after they lost their opening game to minnows Indonesia.
It left them rudderless and they also crashed to China after scrambling a draw against Bahrain, finishing bottom of their group.
Oman face daunting challenge
(AFP)
4 July 2007
BANGKOK — Former Argentine international Gabriel Calderon faces a daunting challenge as he prepares Oman for their Asian Cup campaign in a group alongside tournament favourites Australia.
The 47-year-old has only been in the job for a matter of months since replacing Milan Macala, who was sacked in February after guiding the sultanate to two Gulf Cup finals, giving him precious little time to prepare.
Oman, population of just two-and-a-half million, are making their second tilt at the Asian Cup, having lost to eventual champions Japan, drawn with Iran and beaten Thailand at the last edition in China in 2004.
They are in a tough group, just as they encountered three years ago, as they jostle with Thailand, Iraq and Australia for the two spots into the knockout rounds.
The Sultanate is ranked 74th on the FIFA rankings, second in the pool behind the 48th-ranked Australia, but they will face a team of experienced European-based professionals in their July 8 encounter at Rajamangala Stadium.
Calderon, who previously coached the Saudi national team, knows the challenge awaiting his team in steamy Bangkok will not be easy.
“We know that it’s not going to be easy, but we’ve got the players to challenge for a place in the next round,” Calderon said.
“We’ve got a young team with plenty of potential. If we do our jobs well, we can produce the necessary leap in quality.
“The campaign needs our full concentration and a lot of effort, especially in the first match against Australia.”
Oman’s best-known player is goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who is contracted to English Premier League Bolton Wanderers but has yet to play a match for them since signing from Norway’s Lyn Oslo in January last year.
Al Habsi, 25, was voted Arab goalkeeper of the year and Norwegian goalkeeper of the year in 2004 and started playing in Oman when he was 17.
“Our goal is to advance from the group to the next round. I can’t predict where we will finish in the tournament but our goal is to edge through the first round and I hope that we can have a good run,” said Al Habsi. Our team is full of strengths and our main point of strength is that we are one coherent group.
Vietnam in welcome return
(AFP)
4 July 2007
HANOI — Vietnam makes the most welcome return to the Asian football scene after 47 years, and it is probably the first time for the vast majority of the country’s population to see their team taking part in the AFC Asian Cup finals.
The South East Asian side were represented at the first two editions of the competition before the founder member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) went through the re-unification of the country in 1975.
However, the development of the game was badly hampered with the political climate that forced Vietnam to remain isolated from the international competitions.
In 1991, the national team took part in the SEA Games in Manila and five years later they made their long awaited return to the Asian Cup qualifiers, but they missed to South Korea.
Unfortunately, the political climate of the time meant that Vietnam would enter a long period of isolation from international football competition, only re-emerging in 1991 when the national team participated in the South East Asian Games in Manila.
Five years later, the Vietnamese participated in the Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time in 16 years but missed out. Vietnam football was also hit by match-fixing scandals, involving their under-23 side at the 2005 SEA Games. The incident led to the arrest of four players including young star striker Pham Van Quyen, who was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison and barred from Vietnamese domestic football for four years.
But for all of their disappointments, their Austrian coach Alfred Riedl is still hopeful to make their mark in the competition.
Vietnam rounded off their AFC Asian Cup warm-up campaign with a 5-3 victory over Bahrain at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on Saturday.
UAE land in Hanoi
(AFP)
4 July 2007
HANOI — The UAE national football team touched down here yesterday afternoon amid high expectations that the Bruno Metsu-trained squad are not the Gulf Cup champions for nothing.
While the shaggy-haired Frenchman maintained his unexpressive look at the arrival terminal, most of the players echoed his earlier opinion that things happen gradually and impossible is nothing.
“I have never said that I’m not completely ready for the Asian Cup. God forgives newsmen. They always put words in my mouth. Is it the right time to say it even if it proved to be true?” the country’s football ace told Khaleej Times at the Hanoi International Airport yesterday.
Haider Alo Alo, the Unknown Soldier, who has always been living in the shadow of the strikers, said he has nothing against the media.
“Each one is playing his part and it’s my destiny not to come under the limelight except when I score goals. It’s not a big deal, however. Let’s believe that we came here to win and we can do it. Metsu has been working very hard and we have every chance to make our presence felt,” he said.
Teenagers Mohammed Al Shehi and Ahmed Dada said they will never put their coach down should they given the chance to feature in the high profile tournament.
“It’s our life-time dream and hopefully we will live up to the challenge,” they said with a smile as they collected their baggage at the congested place.
Having made their first appearance in the Asian football showpiece in1980, only five years after the foundation of the football governing body of the emirates, the less experienced boys failed to make it into the knock out stage.
But, with the passage of time, and after 12 years they took a giant step forward to finish fourth after losing to Saudi Arabia in the semifinals.
Four years later, the UAE hosted the competition in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and the same legends that made history for their young nation in Italy 1990, took their side to the final. But again they were done by the Saudis in a heartbreaking 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat in front of 60,000 spectators at Zayed Sports City.
In 2000 they failed to qualify. In Beijing 2004, it was another story. A 3-1 loss to Kuwait in the opening game was followed by a 2-0 defeat to South Korea, which proved a terminal blow to their aspirations, before ending their campaign with a goalless draw against quarter-finalists Jordan.
The UAE topped their group in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with four victories, a draw and a solitary defeat against fellow qualifiers Oman.
Although Bruno Metsu has never tried to promise something or cross the red lines before or during the training camp, the fans at home are dreaming big.
“We will be playing against co-hosts Vietnam in front of more than 60,000 enthusiastic fans that have been waiting for this moment before a long time, and it is not going to be an easy task.
“Defending champions Japan is another hurdle. Our match against Qatar is a Gulf derby which should be handled carefully. No one will walk on the pitch and gain points, but we will try to come out better and take it one by one,” the Frenchman said.
“We have been working hard to prepare ourselves, and hopefully the youngsters will be able to compensate for the absence of the injured key players and fill the vacuum with the required sense of determination and fighting spirit,” he said.
Man Utd’s Park tips Australia to win Asian Cup
(AFP)
4 July 2007
KUALA LUMPUR - Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung has tipped Australia to win the Asian Cup, but warns against writing off his South Korean teammates despite injuries depleting their squad.
Park, who is still recovering from knee surgery and will miss the Asian Cup, sees the star-studded Socceroos, many of whom line up against him in the English Premier League, as the team to beat.
“I think it could be Australia because they qualified for the round of 16 at the World Cup last year and the experience of their players in Europe makes them one of the best teams at the Asian Cup,” he told the Asian Football Confederation.
“I believe that their participation will help Asian football to improve and rapidly move to a higher level in world football.
“It provides a great foundation to make Asian football stronger and gives fans more of a chance to watch a better quality of football in Asia.”
Nevertheless, he is confident South Korea will be there at the bitter end, despite a spate of injuries that have deprived them of Tottenham’s Lee Young-Pyo, Reading’s Seol Ki-Hyeon and veteran captain Kim Nam-Il.
Korea have not tasted Asian Cup victory since 1960 and are grouped in the July 7-29 tournament with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Bahrain.
“It will be tough for the Korean team because they will be missing a number of experienced players,” he said.
“However, Korea should still have a strong enough side to compete in the Asian Cup because of the country’s young talented players.
“I am sure that the tournament will give the team a chance to move forward with these young players.”
South Korea won the first two editions of the Asian Cup in Hong Kong in 1956 and on home soil four years later.
Three times since, in 1972, 1980 and 1988, they have reached the final but Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia denied them on those occasions.
Korea get their campaign underway on July 11 in Jakarta against Saudi Arabia.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
AFC Asian Cup 2007, World
1:35 PM Thailand 3.30 X 3.25 Iraq 1.95 +6
Sunday, July 08, 2007
AFC Asian Cup 2007, World
11:20 AM Oman 6.50 X 4.10 Australia 1.38 +6
1:35 PM Vietnam 3.30 X 3.15 United Arab Emirates 2.00 +6
Monday, July 09, 2007
AFC Asian Cup 2007, World
11:20 AM Japan 1.45 X 3.85 Qatar 5.75 +6
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
AFC Asian Cup 2007, World
11:20 AM Indonesia 3.40 X 3.30 Bahrain 1.90 +6
2:35 PM Malaysia 5.50 X 3.50 China 1.53 +6
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
AFC Asian Cup 2007, World
12:20 PM Iran 1.65 X 3.40 Uzbekistan 4.50 +6
1:35 PM Korea Republic 2.10 X 3.20 Saudi Arabia 3.00 +6
KUALA LUMPUR (AP) Stung by criticism for trying to simultaneously organize the Asian Cup and a visit by Manchester United, Malaysian authorities have returned all their attention to the marquee regional soccer event.
The English Premier League champions were forced to scrap plans for an exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur on July 27, leaving Malaysia free to focus on hosting Asian Cup Group C matches, a quarterfinal and a semifinal.
"There are no distractions now, so we are confident that we will be ready to be a fantastic host," Hamidin Mohamad Amin, head of Malaysia's logistics committee for the Asian Cup, told The Associated Press.
"Our preparations are in tiptop condition in the important areas such as ensuring security and suitable accommodation for the teams and foreign visitors."
Hamidin said Malaysia was no stranger to hosting high-profile events, having organized many political, economic and sporting events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and an annual Formula One Grand Prix.
Malaysia's facilities were never the big worry for the Asian Football Confederation, which strenuously objected to Manchester United's planned visit for fear that it would distract Malaysia from properly promoting the Asian Cup matches. Malaysia's co-hosts are Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Despite Malaysia's insistence that it could handle both the Asian Cup and United's visit, the AFC compelled the powerhouse British club to scrap the Malaysian portion of its upcoming Asian tour.
It pointed out that the Malaysian government and the Football Association of Malaysia had contractual obligations with the AFC not to host any other soccer competition during the Asian Cup.
The FAM's assistant general secretary, Noor Kefli Mohamad Sulong, said the AFC should not fret any longer about Malaysia's commitment to the Asian Cup, since promotional banners and posters adorn prominent streets and an advertising campaign has been launched.
However, Noor Kefli warned that the AFC should not expect full houses for the matches.
He estimated that matches featuring Malaysia would probably draw up to 30,000 spectators, barely one-third the capacity of the 100,000-seat Bukit Jalil National Stadium where most of the Asian Cup matches will be played.
Monday, July 09, 2007
AFC Asian Cup 2007, World
11:20 AM Japan 1.45 X 3.85 Qatar 5.75 +6
Japan coach warns against Qatar's quality
NARASHINO, Japan (AFP) - Japan coach Ivica Osim has warned of the good skills of opponents Qatar ahead of the sides' showdown in their Asian Cup opener next week.
"Qatar have quality players," Osim said Tuesday as his squad wound up a three-day training camp the day before leaving for Hanoi, the venue of Group B, which also includes Gulf Cup champions United Arab Emirates and hosts Vietnam.
The 66-year-old Bosnian, who led the former Yugoslavia to the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals, in particular mentioned Uruguay-born forward Sebastian Soria as a menace.
"Our information is that Qatar may place one forward upfront. We must cope with this," he said.
Osim, whose side are aiming for a third straight Asian Cup win, complained that his players were heavily fatigued as only last Saturday the J-League closed its spring-to-autumn series for the July 7-29 Asian Cup.
His 23-strong squad is all J-League stars except for Celtic playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura and Frankfurt striker Naohiro Takahara.
"Our opponents know that our players are tired. But that is what we know better than them. I must work out some measures," Osim said. "Training, training. What else can we do?"
Osim said Japan could take nothing for granted in their quest for a third cup victory.
"To underestimate the opponents is worse than losing a match," he said.
"Whatever result we may produce, it won't be the end for Japan's battle. The World Cup qualifying will start next year," said Osim, whose jersey bore a patchwork on the left arm reading "All for 2010."
Nakamura, who scored one goal and set up three others in a 6-1 win in a training match against a university side, said Qatar should not be dismissed.
"I saw videos of Qatar in action. The naturalised player from Uruguay is strong," he said, adding that some midfielders have good technique.
Speaking of his own hopes, Nakamura added: "I want to score when it matters most."
The Japan squad is:
GK: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo), Seigo Narazaki (Grampus Eight), Eiji Kawashima (Frontale)
Thursday, July 5, 2007 Japan's Asian hopes hit by Bando injury
Japan suffered a further setback ahead of the Asian Cup when Gamba Osaka striker Ryuji Bando was ruled out of the finals with a hamstring injury.
Bando's place in the 23-man squad was taken by FC Tokyo youngster Masahiko Inoha on Wednesday just hours before coach Ivica Osim and Co. left for Hanoi.
The 21-year-old Inoha plays as a defensive midfielder but featured at center back in Japan's under-22 side during the recent Olympic qualifiers.
Bando hurt his right hamstring during a practice match on Tuesday, according to the Japan Football Association.
The striker's withdrawal is a another blow to Japan's chances of lifting a third-straight Asian crown after Urawa Reds center-back Marcus Tulio Tanaka and JEF United Chiba defender Hiroki Mizumoto were ruled out last week after failing to recover from injuries in time.
Osim was in a cautious mood on Tuesday on the final day of the squad's training camp in Narashino, warning reporters that a fourth continental title, after the triumphs of 1992, 2000 and 2004, is far from a foregone conclusion.
"You should not be surprised by any result. You may be expecting us to come home after the final on July 29 but there is the possibility we will come home after just three group matches," Osim said.
"Whatever result we may produce, it won't be the end for Japanese football. It will rather be our start for the World Cup qualifying round next year," the 66-year-old Osim said.
Japan, based in Hanoi for the first round, plays Asian Games gold medalist Qatar on Monday in their opening game of the July 7-29 tournament cohosted by Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Osim's men also face United Arab Emirates and cohost Vietnam in Group B.
The Bosnian coach has made clear his dissatisfaction with Japan's build up to the finals. The J. League schedule ran until June 30, leaving the coach with scant time for preparation and his players tired. In contrast, Australia, perhaps Japan's strongest rival in the tournament, has spent time together at a training camp in Singapore ahead of the finals.
"Our opponents know that our players are tired . . . I must work out something so we are not stuck in a high-rhythm, high-tempo game." Osim said.
Asian Cup 2007
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