Jakarta to host AFC Asian Cup final

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The Asian Football Confederation has confirmed that Jakarta in Indonesia will host the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2007. Thailand capital Bangkok will host the opening game, while Hanoi (Vietnam) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) will host the semi finals.

The Asian Football Confederation has confirmed that Jakarta in Indonesia will host the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2007. Thailand capital Bangkok will host the opening game, while Hanoi (Vietnam) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) will host the semi finals.

Australia will be vying for a place in the finals, when it plays its second qualifying match against Kuwait on August 16 in Sydney. The withdrawal of Lebanon from the qualifying group, means Australia will know of its qualification when it plays its second home game against Bahrain in October, also in Sydney.

The AFC Asian Cup 2007 will be held in the four countries during July with the AFC Competitions Committee making their decision based on certain criteria required in determining which games each country would receive and certain requests of the hosting countries.

The criteria included commitment of the national associations and their respective governments with regard to the competition requirements. This includes infrastructure, the addressing of security measures, the commitment to promote the event, and the protection of commercial rights.

The opening game in Bangkok will be held on July 7, 2007, with the final in Jakarta, scheduled for July 29, 2007.

AFC President, Mohamed bin Hammam, commented today, “This is a great milestone in the planning stages of this festival of football across the Asean region. Our team here at AFC are fully committed to delivering what we hope will be AFC-s most successful competition to date. But it is only with the host associations- dedication and commitment 24 hours a day, from today, that this will be achieved.”

He continued, “Our decision reflects the strengths and the wishes of the respective national associations. I am delighted that Thailand offered to host the Opening Ceremony, and also look forward to three very professionally staged Matches with the two Semi-finals and the Final in the other three Venues. We are putting great trust into these national associations…I am sure they will deliver”.