The AFC Asian Cup stands as the key football tournament where senior men’s national teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) compete to establish the top team in Asia.
Regarded as the second-oldest continental football championship globally, following Copa América, it plays a pivotal role in determining the continental champion of Asia.
Securing victory in the tournament bestows upon the team the prestigious title of the Asian champion. Up until 2015, this achievement also granted them a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
In this blog post, we will be discussing the Asian Cup history, changes, victories, format, trophies, as well as awards.
So, without wasting much time, let’s begin.
AFC Asian Cup
| Organising body – AFC | |
| Founded – (1956) 68 years ago | |
| Region – Asia and Oceania | |
| Number of teams – 24 (finals)47 (eligible to enter qualification) | |
| Current champions – Qatar (1st Title) | |
| Most successful team(s) – Japan (4 Titles) |
Timeline of the AFC Asian Cup: Changes and Victories
From the 1956 event in Hong Kong to the 2004 tournament in China, the Asian Cup unfolded on a regular schedule.
However, due to clashes with the Summer Olympic Games and the European Football Championship in the same years, the AFC wisely decided to shift the championship to a less crowded cycle after 2004.
The next edition occurred in 2007, co-hosted by four Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Since then, it has been held every four years.
Traditionally, a few top teams have dominated the Asian Cup, with notable successes from Japan (four times), Iran, Saudi Arabia (three times each), and South Korea (twice).
Other victorious teams include Qatar (current champions as of 2019), Australia (2015), Iraq (2007), and Kuwait (1980). Israel, despite winning in 1964, was later expelled and has since joined UEFA.
Australia became part of the Asian Confederation in 2007 and even hosted the 2015 Asian Cup finals, emerging victorious against South Korea in the final.
The 2019 tournament expanded to include 24 teams, with the qualifying process also serving as part of the qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
History
The Early Years of the AFC Asian Cup
After World War II, there was an initial proposal for a pan-Asian competition, but it took until the 1950s to materialize.
Two years after the formation of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1954, the inaugural AFC Asian Cup took place in Hong Kong, involving seven of the twelve founding members.
This made it the world’s second-oldest continental competition. The qualifying process included the hosts and winners from different zones (Central, Eastern, and Western).
The tournament started with just four teams, a format maintained in 1960 and 1964. Each sub-confederation already hosts its biennial championship with varying levels of interest.
South Korea showcased early dominance by winning the championship in 1956 and 1960, marking their best achievements in the tournament.
West Asian Domination (1964–1988) Shaping the Tournament’s Legacy
Following the initial hosting by Hong Kong and South Korea, the 1964 AFC Asian Cup found its venue in Israel. Keeping the same setup as its predecessors, this edition featured only four teams, competing in a single group to determine the champions.
Israel emerged victorious with three wins, securing the top spot ahead of India. In 1968, the format expanded to five teams, further increasing to six teams in the 1972 and 1976 editions.
Iran took the spotlight, clinching three consecutive championships in 1968, 1972, and 1976, with Iran hosting the bookending tournaments.
Notably, the 1972 final introduced the group stage-knockout phase format, a structure followed by some modifications in subsequent tournaments. In 1972, Israel faced expulsion from the AFC due to the Arab–Israeli conflict.
From 1980 to 1988, the tournament grew to include ten teams. Despite this expansion, West Asian countries maintained their dominance in the 1980s.
Kuwait became the first Arab country to secure the championship in 1980, triumphing on home soil by defeating South Korea 3–0 in the final.
Saudi Arabia, overcoming a slow start, made a significant impact by winning back-to-back titles in 1984 and 1988, surpassing challenges from China and South Korea. Both tournaments marked Saudi Arabia’s debut in major competitions.
Japan’s rise and modernization of Asian Cup (1992–2011) Transformative Years
Entering the 1988 edition marked Japan’s debut in continental football, representing a modest presence until then. Their football landscape transformed in the 1990s, leading to hosting the 1992 AFC Asian Cup.
In this tournament, reduced to eight teams, Japan secured victory by defeating defending champions Saudi Arabia 1–0, claiming their first major international honour.
The 1996 AFC Asian Cup witnessed growth with twelve participating teams. Hosted by the United Arab Emirates, the final saw Saudi Arabia clinch their third title against the hosts, who reached the final for the first time but fell short in a penalty shootout.
Lebanon made their Asian tournament debut in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, with Japan overcoming Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the final amid a majority of Saudi supporters. Japan retained their title in 2004, navigating through a challenging final against hosts China in a politically charged atmosphere.
Australia joined the AFC in 2006, making its debut in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, co-hosted by four Southeast Asian nations. Despite the American invasion, Iraq emerged as champions, defeating strong teams like Australia, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
Australia rebounded in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, reaching the final but losing to Japan after extra time. Japan’s win marked them as the most decorated team in Asian football with four titles. Notably, the 2011 tournament introduced using jersey numbers from 1 to 23, a departure from previous practices.
Expansion Era (2015–Present): AFC Asian Cup Evolution
After Australia’s triumphs in the 2011 Asian Cup, the AFC granted them the opportunity to host the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. Throughout the tournament, Australia asserted dominance, experiencing only one defeat against eventual finalist South Korea.
However, Australia secured a 2–1 victory in the final after extra time, marking Southeast Asia’s inaugural Asian title, especially significant as Australia joined the AFF in 2013. The AFC Asian Cup kicked off on January 12, 2024, and concludes on February 10, 2024.
In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, video assistant referees were introduced, accompanied by an expansion to include 24 teams. A noteworthy change allowed for a fourth substitution during extra time.
Hosted by the United Arab Emirates for the second time, the tournament witnessed Qatar’s ascendancy, securing its first-ever Asian title by defeating Japan 3–1 in the final.
However, the event faced challenges amid the Qatar diplomatic crisis, involving the UAE’s entry ban on Qatari supporters and incidents like shoe-throwing during the semi-final clash between the two teams.
Read More:
FIFA World Cup History: A Deep Dive (Everything You Need To Know)
Africa Cup of Nations History: (Everything You Need To Know)
AFC Asian Cup Tournament Format
Starting from 1972, the tournament structure consists of two main phases: the group stage and the knockout stage.
In the group stage, each team engages in three matches within a group of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best-performing third-placed teams, progress to the knockout stage.
The knockout stage transforms into a single-elimination tournament, commencing with the round of 16 and concluding with the ultimate showdown in the final match of the tournament.
AFC Asian Cup Trophies: A Tale of Two Designs
There have been two versions of the Asian Cup trophy: the first was in use from 1956 to 2015, and the second has been used since 2019.
The initial trophy introduced in 1956 remained in use until 2015
The initial trophy took the shape of a bowl with a circular base, standing at 42 centimetres tall and weighing 15 kilograms.
Until the 2000 tournament, its black base featured engraved plaques with the names of every winning country and the respective edition.
In a redesign, more silver was incorporated, and the black base was slimmed down to a thin layer, plaque-free, with winning countries’ names encircling the base.
The trophy in use from 2019 onward
In a grand reveal during the draw for the 2019 group stage at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, a brand-new trophy crafted by Thomas Lyte was introduced.
This 78-centimetre tall, 42-centimetre wide, 15-kilogram silver masterpiece is modelled after the lotus flower, a symbolically significant aquatic Asian plant.
The lotus’s five petals represent the five sub-confederations under the AFC. Winning countries’ names are engraved around the trophy base, which can be separated from the main body. Unlike its predecessor, this trophy features handles on each side.
Celebrating Excellence: Awards at the End of Every Tournament
After each tournament, five awards are presented:
1. Most Valuable Player: Given to the player who showcased the best performance throughout the tournament.
2. Top Goalscorer: Awarded to the player who scored the most goals in the tournament, demonstrating exceptional goal-scoring prowess.
3. Best Goalkeeper: Presented to the goalkeeper who displayed outstanding skills and performance in the tournament.
4. Team of the Tournament: Recognizing the best collective effort, this award is given to the standout team of players from the tournament.
5. Fair Play Award: Awarded to the team with the most commendable record of fair play, embodying sportsmanship on the field.
Conclusion
The AFC Asian Cup stands as a historic and prestigious tournament that has evolved significantly over the years.
From its early years post-World War II to the modern era with expanded formats, new trophies, and increased participation, the Asian Cup continues to be a focal point in Asian football.
The tournament not only crowns champions but also serves as a platform for football excellence and fair play.
FAQs about the AFC Asian Cup
Q: When did the AFC Asian Cup start?
Ans: The AFC Asian Cup began in 1956, making it the second-oldest continental football championship globally.
Q: How often is the AFC Asian Cup held?
Ans: Initially held on a regular schedule, clashes with other events led to a shift to a less crowded cycle after 2004. It is now held every four years.
Q: Which teams have dominated the Asian Cup historically?
Ans: Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea have been prominent, with Japan winning four times, and Iran and Saudi Arabia three times each.
Q: When did Australia join the Asian Confederation?
Ans: Australia joined the Asian Confederation in 2007 and hosted the 2015 Asian Cup finals, winning the competition.
Q: What are the key awards presented after each AFC Asian Cup?
Ans: The awards include Most Valuable Player, Top Goalscorer, Best Goalkeeper, Team of the Tournament, and Fair Play Award.
