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Published on July 7, 2007

All eyes will be on Thailand this evening when the home side take on Iraq in a Group A encounter, marking the launch of the 14th edition of the continental showpiece, the Asian Cup, which promises to be the most exciting in its 51-year history.

The inclusion of Australia, who will make their debut since being admitted to the Asian Football Confederation in early 2006, adds more glamour to the already strong field, with the prospect of the top-class Australian players pitting their wits against the continent's stars.

While the Iraqis have high aspirations, coach Chanvit Pholchivin's side will be planning to erase the painful memories of their miserable performance in the event four years ago.

Their previous Asia Cup campaign in China saw them finish at the bottom of Group D without a point. That performance was compounded by a series of woeful performances in the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

That period came to be called by many the "Dark Age" of Thai football, which saw senior players including veteran striker Kiartisak "Zico" Senamuang turn their backs on the national team following scathing criticism from all sides.

Those players who got a recall to the team after a two-year absence from the international stage admitted that the dreadful failure in 2004 still rankled.

They are determined to give a good account of themselves this time around to wipe out the nightmare that has haunted them for years.

The return of senior players such as Zico and midfielders Tawan Sripan and Terdsak Jaiman provides the experience that Chanvit's side need if they are to pose a serious challenge in an already strong field.

Although Chanvit's men have set their sights on securing a berth in the knock-out stage, the hosts know they have a struggle on their hands. Apart from Australia, they also face tough challengers in the shape of Iraq and Oman.

Despite the turmoil at home, the Iraqi team has been enjoying a success spree since surprisingly reaching the last four at the Athens Olympics and the final in the 15th Asian Games last year in Qatar. The war-torn country also managed to qualify for the quarterfinals at the past three Asian Cups.

However, the Iraqi team have been unsettled by some recent developments, and their premature exit from the Gulf Cup cost coach Akram Salman his job. Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira, who took over the post just late in May, is certain that the failure in the regional event was only a passing failure.

With players like Younis Mahmoud, the goal scorer in Iraq's upset win over Portugal in Athens, and others who formed the core of the team at the Asian Games, Vieira's side are harbouring hopes of making it four in a row by progressing into the last eight.

Since experiencing its first Asian Cup in 2004, Oman has made great strides, especially by reaching the final of the Gulf Cup.

Like Iraq, Oman is also in the rebuilding process after veteran Czech coach Milan Macala left the team following the Gulf Cup final loss to the UAE. Argentina-born coach Gabriel Calderon was able to keep the valuable assets that his predecessor left.

Given that striker Imad Ali, named in the Asian Cup 2004 All Stars team, features on their roster, Oman are expected to be tough rivals for Thailand.

Knowing that the game against Iraq could have a potentially crucial bearing on their attempt to move past the preliminary round for the first time since 1972, Chanvit has called on Thai fans to pack the Rajamangala National Stadium to roar the home side to a flying start.

"As one of the host countries we are carrying the pride of Thailand and our objective is to go as far as possible in the tournament," said Chanvit.

"The Iraqi team is strong physically and the players are big and tall. They are strong defensively but I think our strength will be our fans."

The game will kick off at 7.30pm, and will be shown live on both Star Sports and Channel 7.

Meanwhile the Australian team stars are enjoying the limelight.

Upon their arrival in Bangkok on Wednesday, coach Graham Arnold's men caused a big stir, with pictures of their well-known players such as Everton midfielder Tim Cahill featuring in local printed media.

Local fans are eagerly looking forward to watching some of the players, whom they have seen for weeks in the European football coverage.

Kitinan Sanguansak

The Nation