Re: is it going to happen?

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Posted by Matsu on October 10, 2000 at 04:37:32:

In Reply to: Asian Cup 2000 - is it going to happen? posted by inakamono on October 10, 2000 at 04:03:39:

: Has anyone seen any news????

It sounds like everything is set to go, regardless of the clashes south of the border. The article below is reposted from the official site of the Asian Cup 2000, at w ww.asian-football.com. From the information in the article, it sounds like the venues are all ready and even if Tripoli is a problem, the matches will be held in Beirut instead (possibly a good choice given the situation in the area a few dozen miles south of Tripoli)

Incidentally, I have already sent the web designers a scathing letter about their hopeless preview of the Japanese team. Its clear that whoever wrote it hasnt scouted Japan since the WC1998. The article mentions Masashi Nakayama twice and even mentions Kazu, but fails to even mention Shunsuke by name. Click the link at the end of the article if you want to second my comments. I was truly appalled.

Twelve teams, three venues, one goal. After all the ups and downs, the numerous questions and doubts, the Asian Cup is back for its 12th running. After all the uncertainty over the choice of Lebanon as host, the Mediterranean nation has risen to the task of staging Asian football's showpiece event. Now the continent's finest line up to decide the destiny of the region's most coveted piece of silverware.

Although it hasn't been the smoothest lead up to a major tournament, the Asian Football Confederation seem satisfied that Lebanon is ready to host the biggest sporting event the nation has seen since the end of the civil war. It's a feat that has been achieved thanks, largely, to the intervention of Lebanese President, Emile Lahoud.

"I'm happy but still a little bit concerned," said Asad Taqi, head of the AFC's tournament committee for the Asian Cup, about the completion of facilities a month before the competition. "I went to Sports City in Beirut and it was okay. In Saida the field was growing well. They were about seven days behind schedule in Tripoli with the stadium, and 10 days with the hotel, but they should both be ready in time for the tournament.

"The work was going on. I hope everything will be finished and I hope, also, that the Lebanese Football Association will take care of its responsibilities when the teams arrive and that there are no problems through to the end of the championship."

Should work on Tripoli, the one venue causing concern to the confederation, not be completed in time for the start of the competition, Taqi says the AFC have a contingency.

"There is always a Plan B and our Plan B is ready," said Taqi. "Saida and Sports City will be ready and Tripoli should be ready before the championship … but you never know. Everything was supposed to be handed over on September 15, but even if that doesn't quite happen I'm sure everything will be all right. If not, then Plan B will be adopted by rearranging the schedule."

That could either see the Beirut Municipal Stadium, the home of Al Ansar, used instead of Tripoli, or see the Sports City venue and Saida split Tripoli's allocation of games.

It would be untrue to say that everything has run smoothly since the Lebanese were awarded the rights to host the tournament, at the last Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 1996. The political and military tension in the region has left a question mark over the tournament since day one.

However, the fact that the Asian Cup is taking place in Lebanon at all bears strong testimony to the hard work and dedication of the numerous people striving to make the event a major success. It is another cornerstone in helping the country get back on its feet after years of war.

Now it's up to the teams to put on a display worthy of a nation that has worked hard and laboured long to be able to host this prestigious tournament.

Defending champions Saudi Arabia will go in as favourites to win the title for a record fourth time after having appeared in all of the last four finals. They have lost just once, to Japan in 1992, and, with the acquisition of coach Milan Macala, it would be foolish to discount them.

Iran will be hoping to pip the Saudis to the record, having lifted the title at three championships in a row from 1968 to 1976. And, with Asia's strongest contingent in European leagues, the chances of the Persians building on their recent successes, including a gold medal at the Asian Games, are high.

Also looking strong in the run-up to the competition are Japan, who, under Frenchman Philippe Troussier, have made their mark on the world game at youth level. And with many of their top youngsters graduating to the full national side, Japan's hopes of a second Asian Cup in three attempts are high.

While hosts Lebanon are unlikely to feature strongly in the latter stages of the competition, Kuwait, Korea Republic and China are all capable of success.

Follow Ups:

Re: is it going to happen? inakamono 05:30:16 10/10/00 (6)
- Re: is it going to happen? Matsu 06:06:48 10/10/00 (5)
  - Say, you can stage it in Sydney! Obviously only if you let us play [nt] Kippax 06:17:00 10/10/00 (4)
    - When I first read this thread, the exact same thought sprang to my mind! -nt Eurasianboy 10:10:46 10/10/00 (3)
      - Thanks, but if it comes to relocating into a different federation... inakamono 13:29:26 10/10/00 (1)
        
        Well you could move it to Tel Aviv for example but... MM 17:47:39 10/10/00 (0)
      - Dont flatter yourselves TOO much Matsu 11:40:09 10/10/00 (0)

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: : Has anyone seen any news???? : It sounds like everything is set to go, regardless of the clashes south of the border. The article below is reposted from the official site of the Asian Cup 2000, at <a href="http://www.asian-football.com">w ww.asian-football.com</a>. From the information in the article, it sounds like the venues are all ready and even if Tripoli is a problem, the matches will be held in Beirut instead (possibly a good choice given the situation in the area a few dozen miles south of Tripoli) : Incidentally, I have already sent the web designers a <b>scathing</b> letter about their hopeless preview of the Japanese team. Its clear that whoever wrote it hasnt scouted Japan since the WC1998. The article mentions Masashi Nakayama twice and even mentions Kazu, but fails to even mention Shunsuke by name. Click the link at the end of the article if you want to second my comments. I was truly appalled. : <font color="blue"> : Twelve teams, three venues, one goal. After all the ups and downs, the numerous questions and doubts, the Asian Cup is back for its 12th running. After all the uncertainty over the choice of Lebanon as host, the Mediterranean nation has risen to the task of staging Asian football's showpiece event. Now the continent's finest line up to decide the destiny of the region's most coveted piece of silverware. : Although it hasn't been the smoothest lead up to a major tournament, the Asian Football Confederation seem satisfied that Lebanon is ready to host the biggest sporting event the nation has seen since the end of the civil war. It's a feat that has been achieved thanks, largely, to the intervention of Lebanese President, Emile Lahoud. : "I'm happy but still a little bit concerned," said Asad Taqi, head of the AFC's tournament committee for the Asian Cup, about the completion of facilities a month before the competition. "I went to Sports City in Beirut and it was okay. In Saida the field was growing well. They were about seven days behind schedule in Tripoli with the stadium, and 10 days with the hotel, but they should both be ready in time for the tournament. : "The work was going on. I hope everything will be finished and I hope, also, that the Lebanese Football Association will take care of its responsibilities when the teams arrive and that there are no problems through to the end of the championship." : Should work on Tripoli, the one venue causing concern to the confederation, not be completed in time for the start of the competition, Taqi says the AFC have a contingency. : "There is always a Plan B and our Plan B is ready," said Taqi. "Saida and Sports City will be ready and Tripoli should be ready before the championship … but you never know. Everything was supposed to be handed over on September 15, but even if that doesn't quite happen I'm sure everything will be all right. If not, then Plan B will be adopted by rearranging the schedule." : That could either see the Beirut Municipal Stadium, the home of Al Ansar, used instead of Tripoli, or see the Sports City venue and Saida split Tripoli's allocation of games. : It would be untrue to say that everything has run smoothly since the Lebanese were awarded the rights to host the tournament, at the last Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 1996. The political and military tension in the region has left a question mark over the tournament since day one. : However, the fact that the Asian Cup is taking place in Lebanon at all bears strong testimony to the hard work and dedication of the numerous people striving to make the event a major success. It is another cornerstone in helping the country get back on its feet after years of war. : Now it's up to the teams to put on a display worthy of a nation that has worked hard and laboured long to be able to host this prestigious tournament. : Defending champions Saudi Arabia will go in as favourites to win the title for a record fourth time after having appeared in all of the last four finals. They have lost just once, to Japan in 1992, and, with the acquisition of coach Milan Macala, it would be foolish to discount them. : Iran will be hoping to pip the Saudis to the record, having lifted the title at three championships in a row from 1968 to 1976. And, with Asia's strongest contingent in European leagues, the chances of the Persians building on their recent successes, including a gold medal at the Asian Games, are high. : Also looking strong in the run-up to the competition are Japan, who, under Frenchman Philippe Troussier, have made their mark on the world game at youth level. And with many of their top youngsters graduating to the full national side, Japan's hopes of a second Asian Cup in three attempts are high. : While hosts Lebanon are unlikely to feature strongly in the latter stages of the competition, Kuwait, Korea Republic and China are all capable of success.</font>

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