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What
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The first
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Iran won three
Japanese titles
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HISTORY
WHAT IT IS
The most important Asiatic football tournament. That’s how the Asian Cup may be described. For those who like comparisons, it is the Eastern equivalent to the Eurocup, the Old Continent’s tournament of national teams. It is one of the planet’s greatest competitions, with more than 40 participant
countries.
It all started fifty years ago. Although the first edition of the Cup was played in 1956, in Hong Kong, the consolidation of the Eastern football took place two years earlier with the formation of the continental federation. On a meeting in Manila, the 12 founder members (Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam) established the bases of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The first president of the most important organization of the Asiatic football was Man Kam-loh, from Hong Kong, country that ended up hosting the tournament two years later. The first stage of the competition, a qualifier played in two-leg matches between March and September had the participation of Cambodia, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, divided into groups. Vietnam and South Korea gained the upper hand and followed to Hong Kong.
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THE FIRST
CHAMPION
In the decisive stage of the 1956 Asian Cup, the two national teams joined Israel and the host country’s team. All playing against each other. And after tight results, the title ended up going to the South Koreans, with two victories and one tie.
As the champion, South Korea acquired the right to host the next edition. Pre qualified to the finals, it did not have to take part of the qualifiers, now also played by the newcomers Pakistan, Philippines, India and Singapore. But the finalists were the same, as the champion was. This time, with three convincing victories and two smashes, South Korea reached the second title.
Israel had the privilege to host the Asian Cup in 1964. The country did not disappoint the rooters and got the trophy after defeating South Korea by 2 to 1 on an exciting encounter that put an end to the last edition champion’s dream of winning its third title. India also surprised by finishing as the runners-up.
In 1968, Iran hosted the finals. This Cup marks the first participation of Japan and Thailand in the qualifying stage. Twelve years after the first edition, this stage held a record number of participants: 14. Iran and Israel entered in the finals. And the Iranians surprised, winning all the four matches and becoming the champion. The other surprise was the runners-up Burma, which later had its name changed to Birmania and is currently known as the Myanmar Republic.
From four to five, from five to six finalists. The growth of the final stage forced a change in rules of the 1972 Asian Cup, played in Thailand. Iran won the tournament again after beating South Korea by 2 to 1.
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IRAN WON THREE
Playing at home in 1976, things got even easier to the Iranians. Smashing Iraq, Yemen and Kuwait, Iran reached the title and became the first national team to win three consecutive editions of the tournament. The newcomer Japan did not go further than the first
stage.
In 1980, the runners-up hosted the Cup. More than that, they ended up with the trophy. Kuwait won the group formed by Malaysia, UAE and Qatar, and had to beat Iran and South Korea to reach the title for the first time.
Would it be the end of Iran and South Korea’s hegemony? Maybe. The fact is that in 1984, in Singapore, none of the former champions were in the finals. The exciting final match reunited Saudi Arabia and China. The Arabs ended up with the title after a 2 to 0 victory.
The 1988 Asian Cup, already with 20 participating teams in the qualifying stage, landed in Qatar’s capital, Doha. And Saudi Arabia repeated the feat. They beat South Korea in the final match, on the penalty shots by 4 to 0, after a goalless tie in regular time.
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JAPANESE TITLES
 In 1992, Japan showed that the continent football’s balance of powers was about to change. As the host country, it did not need to go through the qualifying stage. Playing against Iran, North Korea and UAE, Japan advanced to the semifinals with two ties and only one victory, exactly over Iran (1 to 0). The 3 to 2 victory over China in the semifinals led the country to its first final match. And in November 8th, Japan reached the title after defeating Saudi Arabia by 1 to 0, with a goal by
Takagi.
In 1996, in the United Arab Emirates, it seemed that Japan would confirm the title. But a defeat for Kuwait (2 to 0) opened the way for Saudi Arabia to get the trophy for the third time. Another victory on the penalty shots, this time over the host team.
 The Japanese second title came in 2000, in Lebanon. The Japaneses smashed all the first stage’s opponents: Saudi Arabia (4 to 1), Uzbekistan (8 to 1) and Iraq (4 to 1). Before the final match, they beat China (3 to 2). And celebrated in Beirut after another 1 to 0 victory over Saudi Arabia, with a goal by Shigeyoshi Mochizuki. The match was played in October 29th.
And now, will Japan win again? Place your bets.
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