Co-hosts Thailand will kick-off the 2007 AFC Asian Cup against Iraq in Bangkok on July 7.

The two nations have been pooled into Group A, alongside Oman and Australia - the early tournament favourites and new boys on the Asian block - who launch their campaigns the following day in Bangkok.

Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates open Group B on July 8 in Hanoi, with Japan playing Qatar on the only game scheduled for July 9.

Both Group C and Group D will open for business on July 10 with the two remaining co-hosts beginning their campaigns against difficult opponents. Malaysia face China at Kuala Lumpur in Group C with Indonesia squaring off against Bahrain in Jakarta in Group D.

Iran, currently the top-ranked Asian nation, face Uzbekistan in the other opening round of Group C. The Iranians have been cleared to play after FIFA lifted their suspension following the sacking of  federation chief Mohammad Dadkhan after Iran’s failure to pass the group stage at the World Cup in Germany.

South Korea face a tough task in their opening match of Group D against three-time champions Saudi Arabia. All group matches will be completed by July 18 with the quarter-finals played  on July 21 and 22 at venues to be decided. The semi-finals will be played on July 25, most likely in Hanoi or Kuala Lumpur, with the third/fourth play-off three day later. The tournament will come to a close on July 29 with Jakarta hosting the final.

The Koreans face the most difficult draw of all the seeded teams, pooled against the Saudis and Bahrain, semi-finalists from the last tournament.

On the other hand, Australia have been given as close to a dream draw as they could have hoped for. They should beat Oman and Thailand but will face stiff opposition from Asian Games silver medallists Iraq. The draw also means the Australians will not play the more established Asian powerhouses Iran, South Korea or Saudi Arabia until the semi-finals but may meet Japan in the quarter-finals.


Group A: Thailand (hosts), Australia (seeded), Iraq, Oman.
Group B: Vietnam (hosts), Japan (seeded), Qatar, United Arab Emirates.
Group C: Malaysia (hosts), Iran (seeded), China, Uzbekistan.
Group D: Indonesia (hosts), South Korea (seeded), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia.


Quarter Final 1: Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B (Bangkok); QF 2: Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D (Kuala Lumpur) ; QF 3: Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A (Hanoi) ; QF 4: Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C (Jakarta).

Semi-Final 1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2  (venue TBA); SF 2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 (venue TBA).

Third/Fourth: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (venue TBA); Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 – Jakarta.