Asian Cup finals line-up takes shape

Tue, 28 Oct 2003, 00:00 WIB | Source: AFP

MUSCAT: Nine of the teams who will make up the 16-nation Asian
Cup finals in China in 2004 have now been decided after the
latest round of qualifying matches.

Host China and holder Japan will be joined by Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, Indonesia, Oman, South Korea, Iraq and Bahrain with five
more places still up for grabs.

Oman is in the finals for the first time making sure of their
place with a 2-0 win against Vietnam to finish top of Group E
ahead of World Cup semi-finalists South Korea who made it through
despite a stuttering conclusion to their campaign which saw them
lose to Oman and Vietnam.

"We are very happy that we have qualified for the Asian Cup
after getting first place in this group," said Oman's veteran
Croatian coach Milan Macala.

"We will prepare very well for the tournament when we play in
the coming Gulf Cup in December." --AFP

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