Pride at stake for Asian football powers after World Cup failure

Iraq's Haidar Hantush (back) vies for the ball with Syria's Abdul Fattah al-Agha during a qualifying match for the 2006 Asian Games on November 24. The game ended with a 0-0 draw. The 24-team tournament kicks off on November 28, four days before the formal opening of the 15th Asiad.

It might not be the World Cup but plenty is at stake in the Asian Games football tournament starting Tuesday, not least pride after the region's dismal failure in Germany.

None of the region's traditional football powerhouses -- Japan, South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia -- got past the group stages at the World Cup, and they will want to claw back some credibility here.

The 24-team tournament kicks off on Tuesday, four days before the formal opening of the 15th Asiad, with Iran defending their title after last minute negotiations saw them readmitted to the competition by FIFA.

Last week Iran were banned from all international tournaments, including the Asian Games, for government interference in the sport and breaching FIFA statutes.

But a compromise was reached Monday that will allow them to play, although the ban will be reinstated if Iranian authorities do not meet FIFA's demands by December 5.

South Korea's Kim Jin-Kyu, seen here in May 2006, will feature in the 2006 Asian Games. The 24-team football tournament kicks off on November 28, four days before the formal opening of the 15th Asiad.

Like the Olympics, Asiad football teams are restricted to under-23s, although three older players are permitted.

As well as being about pride, performances here will be a benchmark for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, as well as offering younger players a chance to shine and impress their coaches ahead of the Asian Cup finals next year.

After avoiding their ban, Iran plan to build on their triumph in Busan to challenge South Korea and Japan's dominance in the sport on the continent.

Japan took silver in Busan and South Korea bronze.

Once again, the three countries will go into the tournament as favourites, although eyes will also be on new China Olympic coach Ratomir Dujkovic, who has been tasked with leading the team to Beijing.

The Asian Games will be the biggest challenge yet faced by the 60-year-old, who is also technical director to the senior side, with China's notoriously fickle fans and media watching closely.

The Serb, a former coach of Ghana who steered them to the last 16 of the World Cup in Germany, sees potential in his charges.

Chinese defender Zheng Zhi, seen here in 2005, will feature in the 2006 Asian Games. The 24-team football tournament kicks off on November 28, four days before the formal opening of the 15th Asiad.

"Our team has talented players with a lot of potential," he said.

"If we are lucky enough during the Games, then our teams goal will be to break into the final."

China will be heavily relying on 17 year-old goalkeeper Wang Dalei, who is being tipped for a move to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven from Shanghai United, along with skipper Zheng Zhi who is on the verge of a move to Charlton Athletic.

They have been drawn in Group E with Oman, Malaysia and the winners of first round Group B, which will either be Singapore, Syria, Indonesia or Iraq.

South Korea's under-23 side has national coach Pim Verbeek in charge as they go in search of their first Asian Games football gold since 1986.

Most of the squad comes from the domestic K-League, but it also includes J-League stars Kim Jin-kyu and Kim Jung-woo, and a handful of players plying their trade in Russia, such as Lee Ho and Kim Dong-jin.

Their toughest task should come from Bahrain in their group, which also includes Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Japan, under coach Yasuharu Sorimachi, are grouped with arch-rivals North Korea.

Doha's Sports City Tower as preparations continue for the 2006 Asian Games. The 24-team football tournament kicks off on November 28, four days before the formal opening of the 15th Asiad.

Outside of the traditional powerhouses, attention will be on Iraq, which is returning to the competition for the first time in 20 years.

But there will be no Turkmenistan which pulled out amid fears it would not do well enough. India has also withdrawn, citing cost restraints.

Among the women, China is the team to beat, having lifted the Asian Cup earlier this year, coming from behind to beat Australia on penalties.

North Korea, the defending Asiad champions, and Japan will also be in the hunt.