AFC moved it because they don't want the tournament to compete with the Olympics or Euro Championships for attention, esp since the 2008 Games are going to be in Beijing. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=302004&cc=5901
Thailand or maybe Malaysia. Cambodia has some nice scenery but it's Fourth World. Indonesia has internal issues with religious violence and seperatism mixed together and the Philippines has no football tradition whatsoever...plus they have a serious issue with Muslim seperatists down south as well. Thailand and Malaysia have the best infrastructure to host a big event like the Asian Cup so it will come down to these two countries. I know of a few state of the art World Cup stadiums in 2 particular East Asian countries that need a useful event besides being glorified parking lots with seats. Ah well can't score twice all the time.
Thailand. They're the strongest footballing nation out of all of those, and there's great tourism opportunities as well.
I would like to ask a new question. Was moving to 2007 from 2008 good idea? I think 2008 was better. Because that way national team will face one big competions every two years and minor competitions other years: 2005: Regional Competition such as EAFF, Conferations Cup 2006: World Cup 2007: Regional Competition such as EAFF, Conferations Cup 2008: Asian Cup 2009: Regional Competition such as EAFF, Conferations Cup 2010: World Cup 2011: Regional Competition such as EAFF, Conferations Cup 2012: Asian Cup
i choose indonesia..why?bcoz indonesia is a country mad of football!trust me even the religion issues and any otehr issues will gone when their national team playing in their own country...and i bet it will be great for the AFC to choose indonesia to be the host of asian cup 2007.they will regain a lot of money from the spectators that come to indonesia.Did u know that eventho indonesian league is one of the worse leage in asia but the spectators that come to stadium averagely around 15,000-20,000 peoples...and if indonesian national team playing there will be around 40,000-100,000 peoples will come to the staium..just give indonesia a change to be the host bcoz indonesia also apply for World Cup 2022. so i choose indonesia
If I remember correct, Thailand and KSA are not in good diplomatic relation. I don't think AFC(you know who rules the organization) would let it happen. When the Asian Games took place in Thailand, I believe KSA didn't participate in the contest. Well, I've never been to the country, but I know my Indonesian friends have told me before that they were crazy about football. I could tell that by reading some articles on Iwata's visit to Indonesia some years ago. The stadium was packed with the crowd, and many desparate people were sitting on the roof to watch the game. Yet, Indonesia is not a safe place...the country has so many turmoils from the West Timor problem to the bomb explosion in Bari targeting on the foreigners. Malaysia(and Singapore) would be the top candidate, and I think Vietnam comes next. The two Malay nations are good in terms of wealth and infrastructure to host the tournament.
well as long as indonesian goverment can guarantee the safety for all contestant..i guess there will be no problem. and well...my second choice will be malaysia.
indonesia has history of human rights violation issues. its economy i think is still in a mess, not to mention terrorist threats that government has no control over. i say thailand. i've been there and it's nice. people love football. i dont think malaysians even play football. or do they?
Indonesia would be my first choice. They have the fans, and the stadia. My second choice would be Malaysia. I don't think Thailand should host it. Apparently, their bid states that they want to hold all the games in Bangkok. Holding a 16 team tournament in 1 city is ridiculous.
Having lived in Thailand for a few years and followed Thai football - Thailand would be a terrible host. Change that - they would be great hosts, but no one would show up at any of the games, except for Thai national team. Thai people are only crazy for European soccer. During the Asian Games there was only around 10,000 fans for the finals between Iran and Kuwait - about 5,000 of them ex-pat Iranians. Whoever gets the tournament should have to guarantee a minimum attendance. Send factory workers to the stadium if that is what it takes!
You can say the same thing with any of the host. I doubt the games not involving the host will draw many fans.
It doesnt matter which country takes it in 2007. What matters is that the ones following 2007 for the next 10 years will all be placed in oil-rich and AFC loving mid-east because it was out of their region for 2004 and 7.
I heard that Indonesia is one of the most populated country in the world, how come your national team has never won a major competition outside the region? what is wrong with your football organization ?