LEBANON: SOCCER - SAUDI ARABIA AND JAPAN DRAW IN THE SAME GROUP OF THE ASIAN CUP FINALS

Record ID: 189583

  • Title: LEBANON: SOCCER - SAUDI ARABIA AND JAPAN DRAW IN THE SAME GROUP OF THE ASIAN CUP FINALS
  • Date: 30th April 2000
  • Summary: BEIRUT, LEBANON (APRIL 27, 2000) (REUTERS) AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING 1. EXTERIOR HALL WHERE DRAW CEREMONY TAKING PLACE 2. VARIOUS OF OFFICIALS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ARRIVING FOR DRAW 3. INTERIOR OF HALL 4. ANNOUNCEMENT THAT DRAW IS TO COMMENCE 5. LEBANON OFFICIAL WELCOMING TEAM REPRESENTATIVES 6. SAUDI ARABIA ONE OF FIRST TO BE DRAWN 7. INDONESIA DRAWN OUT LEAVING THAILAND AS LAST ONE TO BE DRAWN 8. (SOUNDBITE) (ARABIC) SAUDI ARABIA'S TEAM MANAGER FAISEL ABDUL HADI SAYING HE'S VERY CONFIDENT BECAUSE HIS TEAM IS IMPROVING ALL THE TIME. ASKED ABOUT THE ORGANISATION OF THE DRAW HE REPLIED THAT HE WAS NOT SURPRISED IT WENT WELL AS EVERYTHING IS WELL ORGANISED IN LEBANON 9. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) KOREAN MANAGER SAM KA SAYING OUR GROUP IS GOOD FOR THE ASIA CUP 10. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) JAPANESE MANAGER G JONG SAYING I DO NOT THINK IT GOOD OR BAD. IT'S OK. FROM THE LAST ASIA CUP THERE'S ONLY CHINA IN PLACE OF ARAB EMIRATES. I THINK IT'S NOT BAD. KUWAIT AND CHINA ARE VERY STRONG 11. GIRL GROUP SINGING/DANCING ON STAGE TO CELEBRATE END OF DRAW Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 15th May 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BEIRUT, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Reuters ID: LVAD22L4I4U8QVCOFUZG7X1AVP5I
  • Story Text: Saudi Arabia and Japan, who between them have won the
    previous four titles, were drawn in the same group on Thursday
    in the Asian Cup finals scheduled for Lebanon in October.

    Saudi Arabia and Japan will face each other in the
    opening group C match in Saida.

    The clash will renew a long-standing rivalry as the only
    time the Saudis, the defending champions, have failed to win
    the tournament since 1980, was eight years ago when they lost
    to the Japanese in the final in Hiroshima.

    Iran, winners of the tournament in 1968, 1972 and 1976,
    were the nation with most to smile about after avoiding any of
    the big sides.

    They were drawn in group A along with the hosts Lebanon
    and two sides they faced in the last Asian Cup, Iraq and
    Thailand.

    The political implications of the Iran-Iraq match were
    played down by Iranian coach Jalal Talebi.

    "I don't believe this is a problem.We're not playing
    against their government," said Talebi."It'll be a very
    strong match but a very fair match."
    The toughest section could be group B where 1980 Asian
    champions South Korea and Kuwait will be a serious obstacle to
    China's ambition to realise some of their potential at
    international level.

    Of the opening game between Saudi Arabia and Japan Prince
    Waleed bin Bader bin Saud of the Saudi Football Federation
    believed it would be "a great match".

    "It always will be whether it is at national or club level
    because we are both at the top of Asian Football.Perhaps we
    might meet again in the final." he said.


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