REVIEW: Japan wins as Arab countries disappoint

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jan 30, 2011, 6:01 GMT

Doha - Japan won an unprecedented fourth title at the Asian Cup on Saturday after beating Australia 1-0 in the final, while midfielder Keisuke Honda won the player of the tournament award.

South Korean Koo Ja Choel took the top goalscorer award with five goals.

But substitute Tadanari Lee's strike early in the second half of extra-time that gave Japan their fourth win after 1992, 2000 and 2004, is, of course, only one part of the story - there are many others.

For one, Qatar, who in December were afforded the right to host the 2022 World Cup, showed the world that they are capable of hosting a major competition - as they have done before with the Asian Games, the under-20 World Cup and the world indoor athletic championships.

Not surprisingly, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Mohamed bin Hammam, who himself is Qatari, said that he was very proud of what the AFC and Qatar had achieved.

He said that he hoped the Asian Cup would silence those who doubt whether Qatar can organize the World Cup in 2022.

'We have set some benchmarks and targets, and we have exceeded all of these. We are very much satisfied.'

The 61-year-old admitted that there was still much to be done, not only in terms of organizing the World Cup in Qatar but also in football on the continent.

'In my vision a 1,000-mile journey starts with a first step,' bin Hammam said. 'I can say we have started the journey and covered quite a few miles, but there are many miles to go.'

One disappointing factor for people in the region is that all eight countries belonging to the Arab League were knocked out of the competition early and that there was not one west Asian country in the semi-finals.

Bin Hammam said that he did not believe the departure of the Arab teams affected the tournament.

He said the teams from the region and those lagging behind could look at other Asian countries.

'Japan is presenting the best practise to develop professional football,' bin Hammam said.

'Made in Asia can be as good as anywhere else, and I do not want to hear that we can't do it. Japan and South Korea are enjoying the benefits of professionalism.'

Touted as challenger to FIFA President Joseph Blatter in elections later this year, Bin Hammam said that there was a difference between Japanese and South Korean players and those from Arab countries.

'The Japanese and South Korean players are more mature. They can decide what to do and up their pace if they need to. Their colleagues from West Asia seem to panic when they lose,' he said.

'From a technical point of view, they are more or less equal, but south east Asian players are more mature.'

Only time will tell whether players from west Asia manage to make up some ground by 2015 when the next tournament is held in Australia.

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