According to IRNA (Iran's official news agency), the AFC has invited Iran, Japan, and S.Korea to represent Asia in a tournament to be held in October pitting these 3 Asian sides against the top 3 African teams. Iran, incidentally, will be participating in a few weeks in an LG Cup in Nigeria, which also involves Cameroon and (if I recall correctly) Ghana, with Senegal having dropped out of the tourney.
Good to see the Iranian national side playing some friendlies. For the LG Cup in Africa, Iran will be playing against an A-team Cameroon side.
You should have Saudi Arabia. For some unthinkable reason, Saudi always did good against Africa teams. :>)
Japan wont be going. Even if it werent for the inexcusable cancellation of Nigeria's participation in the Kirin Cup, October is the peak of J.League and Nabisco Cup action. The league would never agree to release players, and the only open date in October has already been booked for a match against Portugal Besides, arent both Cameroon and Senegal scheduled to play matches against Japan in late September and early November, respectively? Why would they want to play against Japan **AGAIN** in October? Sounds to me like another brilliant example of African "planning"
"leave us out of this. We've had enough humiliation." What good will that do , you still feal bitter? I think saudi should attend any competetion it can fit in its schedual. LACK of competetion only makes the situation better?? BTW congrats for Itti I hope Saudi gets invited also...
SB, I don't disagree with that. But there are more fundamental problems in our football. Let's not delude ourselves with the premise that a bit of match practice would change things substantially. Having said all that, playing a friendly tournament against top asian sides would be fairly useful as China 04 approaches. Just as long as both us and the others take it seriously enough to field decent teams. Only then would it be a meaningful exercise.