Group D has the Axis of Evil AND the United Arab Emirates: Asian Cup 2011

1-1 against South Korea? I guess we carnt complain about that too much since we'll probably end up playing them in the Final anyway and we're sure to get through the group stage now.

But it would have been terrific and helped a lot if we beat them.

Bahrain-India was a goal fest, however!!

how did we finish top of group C, I am confused

Who's this Kewell guy? Who does he play for in Europe? Whoa, we're in the Semi Finals! Against traditional rivals Uzbekistan!

Sth Korea vs Japan will be the game to really watch, however ^__^

I've been trying to keep up with the Japan vs SK match on a text update - sounds like a great game. SK just got a 120th minute equaliser for 2-2 and presumably penalties. 1-1 at full time then Japan got a questionable penalty and had been hanging on a bit then lost a goal right at the death.

Celtic's Ki looks to have been very influential again with a goal and an assist.

http://au.eurosport.com/football/asian-cup/2011/japan-korea-republic_mtc378580/live.shtml

Just sneaked a peak at the equaliser on a stream and it wasn't really an assist - though he put the ball in that led to a goalmouth stramash.

SK missed their first two pens :(

three :(

... it is now

Japan in the final - SK got themselves a lifeline with a last minute goal then were worse than the fucking Dutch in the penalty shoot out. Missed 3 out of 3 and went out 3-0.

:-(

What was the deal with Ki and Cha's national service - didn't they have to win the whole thing to avoid it or something?

Cha had already been excused national service because he played in 2002. Ki is now exempt from being called up before he is 28 (iirc).

Tons of at-the-death goals in this tourney. Spectators, not so much.

I thought they had to win the tournament to get an exemption, but that's probably one of those pesky mistranslations in the Scottish press - a quick google isn't giving me much to go on (Cha's also surely too old at 30).

http://videocelts.com/2010/12/blogs/cha-and-ki-available-for-january-2-derby-date

Ki has a special reason for wanting to do well knowing that winning the tournament will spare him from having to do national service before the age of 28.
Cha was part of the 2002 Korean World Cup semi-finalists that have been excused national service.

To me this reads that Ki got a deferment until after he's and Cha has a complete exemption as reward for reaching a World Cup semi.

(not citing a Celtic blog as actual evidence or anything)

That reads that Ki gets a deferment if he wins the tournament. Which he can't, what with being knocked out and everything.

Yeah I misread that - though I'm sure it was reported in December (though I cba looking) that he would risk being called up if he didn't go to the tournament and his attendance was enough to defer his service.

http://studentbranding.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/six.jpg

lol uzbekistan

not a great final a beautiful volley to win it

who won?

presuming japan since it's been at least ten minutes and no sign of a gloating kbp

well this is a thread i wish i'd remembered wasn't suitable for opening in the library.

pour out a toohey's new for the socceroos

presuming japan since it's been at least ten minutes and no sign of a gloating kbp

pour out every tooheys new u can find

no humans should be consuming it

lolstralia