Unexpected Wins and Defeats in the Asian Cup 2007

“Bambang! Bambang!”

“Bambang” sounds like a combination of English words, “Bomb” and “Bang.” Some 60,000 spectators were all jumping with joy. Indonesian soccer fans in red and hats with horns shouted, “Bambang.”

They shouted like they were demanding a bombing of the ground. However, Bombang is the name of Indonesia’s top soccer star. Young men I met on the street did not hide their expectations, saying, “Bambang will lead Indonesia to win the cup.” They looked stimulated with the joy of their first victory.

Indonesia, led by striker Bambang Pamungkas (26), collected a surprise win at the Asian Cup 2007. Indonesia, seen as the weakest team, beat Bahrain 2-1 with Bambang’s winning goal in the first match of Group D on July 10. Indonesia, which prepared for the Cup with a ten-week intensive training camp, gained the victory with teamwork and tough play.

The Asian Cup 2007 is heating up with the surprise wins made by hosting countries in the first round of games. With the exception of Malaysia, which was beaten by China 1-5, the other three hosting countries—Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia—surprised fans with their victories.

In Group B, Vietnam, 142nd in FIFA ranking, which is making history by passing qualifiers to advance to the main tournament in 47 years, beat the United Arab Emirates, 94th in FIFA ranking, 2-0. Rising out of its long time neglect of sports after the Vietnam War, Vietnam has been trying to catch up by hiring Australian coach Alfred Riedl (48). Vietnam is leading Group B with 3 points.

Thailand, 122nd in the FIFA rankings, also surprised by tying with Iraq, ranked 84th, 1-1 in Group A.

On the other hand, Australia, a strong candidate for the cup, tied with Oman 1-1 in its first match. Confident of an easy victory with their apparently better physical condition, the Aussies were outplayed by Oman.

Japan, another candidate for the cup, also tied with Qatar 1-1. Japan’s coach Ivica Osim said after the match, “We played like amateurs.”

The hosting countries showed impressive play in their first matches. With a match against the strongest team in each group scheduled at the end of the first round, they plan to earn enough points in the beginning and then keep the lead.

bluesky@donga.com