Asian Cup 2007: Iraq vs Korea

To know about the latest and live score of Asian Cup Football 2007 match between Japan and Saudi Arabia just visit the following link:

Asian Cup: Saudi Arabia vs. Japan Live Updates

http://techblogbiz.blogspot.com/2007/07/asian-cup-saudi-arabia-vs-japan-live.html

o know about the latest and live score of Asian Cup Football 2007 match between Iraq and South Korea just visit the following link:

Asian Cup 2007: Iraq vs Korea Live Update

http://techblogbiz.blogspot.com/2007/07/asian-cup-2007-iraq-vs-korea-live.html

The first semi final match of Asian Cup 2007 between Iraq and South Korea will be held on 25^th July 2007. South Korea is one of the football powers in Asia and they are one of the favorites to win the cup. However, for Iraq, it was a little surprise for them that they have reached at the semi-final round of Asian Cup 2007. They were not considered as a favorite before the tournament. Both the teams are now just two games away to lift the cup of Asian Cup 2007.

South Korea started the tournament badly and at one point they were about to get out of the tournament but at last they could survive and make it to the semi final. From the first two group matches, South Korea got only one point and that time even a die hearted fan of South Korea was in doubt about their qualifying to the next round. However, in the last group match against South Korea got a 1-0 victory over the host Indonesia and thus they qualified for quarter final round.

Earlier in the first match, South Korea drew against Saudi Arabia. Then in the second match, South Korea surprisingly lost to Bahrain by 1-2. The last group match against Indonesia then became a do or die match for South Korea. So, South Korea could not meet the expectation of the fans as they are considered as one of the strongest teams in Asia. In the quarter final, South Korea faced might Iran, the three times winner of the tournament, and South Korea won the match through penalty shoot out.

On the other hand, Iraq also started the tournament ordinarily. In the first match, they could take one point as they drew against Thailand. However, form the second match they came back in the right track and they clinched a remarkable victory against mighty Australia with a big margin of 3-1. In the last group match, they could make a goalless draw against Oman. However, Iraq qualified in the quarter final as the champion of Group A.

In quarter final, they faced B group runner up Vietnam and easily won the match by 2-0. Both the goals came from Younis Mahmoud who could yet score three goals in Asian Cup 2007. With these three goals, Younis Mahmoud is now just a goal behind Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara. Takahara is the highest goal scorer at this moment with four goals.

Iraq is a war torn country and they do not have even a good infrastructure of football in the country. It is praiseworthy that Iraq reached at the semi final despite all odds. The team has some young and energetic players. Players have lack in experience and skill. However, some of their players are potential and I guess, many of them will serve Iraq for a long period of time.

On the other hand, South Korean team is also young. Some of their star players, who play for European clubs, could not join in Asian Cup 2007 due to injury. However, the young players proved themselves gradually and the overall performance of the team increased too. Another point that I want to mention is the stamina of the South Korean players. I think, in terms of stamina, South Korean players are way ahead of other Asian players. Almost all the players can run throughout 90 minutes continuously.

In international football, South Korea has some notable performances. They won the first two Asian Cup tournaments in 1956 and 1960. South Korea is the only Asian team who played in semi final and won the forth place of a world cup. In 2002 World Cup, they achieved this remarkable record. In contrast, Iraq played once in world cup and could not go beyond first round. For Asian Cup, this is the first time Iraq is going to play in the semi final round. So, Asian Cup 2007 is the best ever Asian Cup for Iraq. They won four Arab Nations Cup tournaments. In 1982, Iraq won the gold medal of Asian Games.

South Korea vs Iraq match will be very exciting for the fans as both the teams will try to progress to the final match. Since 1960, South Korea could not win any Asian Cup and for Iraq, it is a big chance to record their first ever Asian Cup victory. Now, the question is that which team will be able to materialize their dream. I think, only time can give the best answer of it.