Introduction
The 2004 AFC Asian Cup, officially known as the 2004 AFC Asian Cup UAE, was the 14th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the men’s national football championship of Asia organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament took place in the United Arab Emirates from January 7 to January 29, 2004. It featured 16 teams from across Asia, competing for the prestigious title. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the tournament, including the teams involved, the group stages, the knockout stages, the final, and the standout moments from the competition.
Teams and Qualification
The 2004 Asian Cup featured 16 teams, with each team qualifying through various rounds of qualifying matches. The hosts, the United Arab Emirates, automatically qualified for the tournament. The remaining 15 teams qualified through a series of qualifying matches that took place over several months. The qualification process was divided into three rounds: preliminary, second round, and final round.
Group Stages
The group stages of the 2004 Asian Cup were held from January 7 to January 17. The 16 teams were divided into four groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group qualified for the knockout stages.
Group A
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- North Korea
Group B
- South Korea
- Iran
- China
- Hong Kong
Group C
- Japan
- Uzbekistan
- India
- Tajikistan
Group D
- Australia
- Iraq
- Syria
- Kuwait
Knockout Stages
The knockout stages began on January 21 and concluded with the final on January 29. The knockout stages were a single-elimination tournament, with the winners advancing to the next round.
Quarterfinals
- United Arab Emirates vs. Iran
- Japan vs. Australia
- South Korea vs. Saudi Arabia
- Uzbekistan vs. Kuwait
Semifinals
- Iran vs. Uzbekistan
- South Korea vs. United Arab Emirates
Final
The final of the 2004 Asian Cup was played on January 29 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. South Korea faced Iran in a highly anticipated match. After a scoreless draw in regulation, the match went into extra time. In the 109th minute, Iran’s Ali Daei scored the winning goal, giving his team a 1-0 victory and their second Asian Cup title.
Standout Moments
- Ali Daei’s hat-trick against Bahrain in the group stages, which was his 50th international goal.
- The United Arab Emirates’ stunning 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals.
- South Korea’s dominant performance throughout the tournament, including their 5-1 victory over Uzbekistan in the semifinals.
- The 1-0 final between South Korea and Iran, which was the closest Asian Cup final in history.
Conclusion
The 2004 Asian Cup was a memorable tournament that showcased the talent and competitiveness of Asian football. South Korea’s victory, their second Asian Cup title, was a testament to their skill and determination. Iran’s runner-up finish was also a significant achievement for the team. The tournament provided fans with thrilling matches and memorable moments, solidifying its place as one of the most prestigious football events in Asia.