AFC Asian Cup 2007

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گابريل كالدرون مربي تيم عمان پس از اين كه گل وقت هاي تلف شده تيم كاهيل مانع از پيروزي اين تيم برابر تيم قدرتمند استراليا شد اعلام كرد كه به بازيكنانش افتخار مي كند.

اين مربي آرژانتيني كه تيمش نه تنها با گل كاهيل بلكه با بازي بسيار خوب مارك شوارتزر دروازه بان استراليا ناكام ماند، گفت:"از اين كه مربي عمان هستم به خود افتخار مي كنم اما از اين كه نتوانستيم تمام امتيازات را بگيريم ناراحت هستم."

او با رد اين كه بازي سخت گروه را انجام داده گفت كه هر سه بازي اين تيم در مرحله گروهي تعيين كننده و به مثابه يك فينال است و افزود:"اين نخستين فينال از سه فينال ما بود و ما حالا دو فينال ديگر برابر تايلند و عراق پيش رو داريم كه هر دو تيم هاي بسيار خوبي هستند.من از اين كه بازي را نبرديم واقعا ناراحتم زيرا تيم ما به مراتب بهتر از حريف بود."

عمان در ديدار با استراليا كه در رطوبت بسيار زياد خسته به نظر مي آمد، تيم برتر ميدان بود و در بيشتر زمان بازي كنترل بازي را در اختيار داشت.پس از اين كه عمان در دقيقه 32 به وسيله بدر مبارك به گل رسيد در سه موقعيت ديگر فرصت گلزني داشت كه درخشش شوارتزر مانع از فروپاشي دروازه استراليا شد. نخستين موقعيت سه دقيقه پس از شروع نيمه دوم به دست آمد كه سانتر احمد مبارك از سمت چپ و ضربه عماد علي با واكنش يك دستي شوارتزر همراه شد. علي كه به عنوان بهترين بازيكن ميدان انتخاب شد در ريباند ضربه سرش را روانه دروازه اين تيم كرد كه با اختلاف بسيار كم راهي اوت شد. در دقيقه 77 نيز فوزي بشير كه به جاي بدر مبارك زننده تك گل عمان وارد ميدان شده بود فرصت سوم را به دست آورد اما دروازه بان ميدلزبورو با حركتي سريع توپ اين مدافع را دفع كرد.

كالدرون افزود:"در اين بازي ما از نظر تكنيكي و تاكتيكي خيلي خوب بوديم و بايد برنده ميدان مي شديم زيرا سه موقعيت خيلي خوب گلزني داشتيم. اما اين طبيعت فوتبال است كه وقتي تيمي از فرصت هاي خود در برابر تيم قدرتمندي مانند استراليا به درستي استفاده نمي كند همين اتفاقي برايش رخ مي دهد كه امروز براي ما پيش آمد."

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حضور یوئیچی کامونو ، مدافع تیم ملی ژاپن ، در بازی اول این تیم برابر قطر در جام ملت های آسیا 2007 ، به دلیل مصدومیت مچ پا در هاله ای از ابهام قرار گرفت.

او در تمرینات روز شنبه تیم اش آسیب دید و به طور جدا از سایر هم تیمی هایش تمرین کرد.

ایویکا اوسیم ، سرمربی ژاپنی ها ، پیشتر مارکوس تولیو تاناکا و هیروکی میزوموتو را در خط دفاعی از دست داده بود.

به احتما زیاد یاسوهیکو کونو ، هافبک "سامورایی ها" به جای کامونو در خط دفاع بازی خواهد کرد.

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هلیو دوس آنژوس، سرمربی عربستان سعودی، از برملا کردن ترکیب اصلی در اولین بازی تیمش در جام ملت های آسیا مقابل کره جنوبی ،قهرمان دو دوره این رقابت ها سر باز زد.

دو قطب قدرت گروه D چهارشنبه عصر در جاکارتا به مصاف یکدیگر می روند . این در حالی است که آنژوس ترجیح داده درباره ترکیب اصلی تیمش سکوت کند.

مربی 49 ساله برزیلی در این خصوص گفت: " ترکیب نهایی برای این بازی آماده است. با این وجود، من آن را در ذهنم نگه می دارم. ممکن است در واپسین دقایق تغییراتی داشته باشیم. تا قبل از اولین بازی چهار جلسه تمرینی داریم و روی تاکتیک ها کار خواهیم کرد. این عاقلانه نیست که ترکیب اصلی را برای رسانه ها فاش کنی." سرمربی سابق یوونتوس و سائو کائتانو، که روز پنجشنبه همراه با شاگردانش به جاکارتا وارد شد، اضافه کرد که زمین های تمرینی در استادیوم پلیس کار انتخاب تیم را برای او مشکل کرده است: " فکر می کنم جلسات تمرینی باقیمانده جهت آماده شدن برای رویارویی با کره جنوبی کافی باشد. هرچند که زمین تمرینی در استادیوم پلیس تاکتیک هایی را که من برای تیم مدنظر داشتم تغییر داد چرا که بازی در این زمین سخت است.

عربستان پس از انجام اولین بازی مقابل کره جنوبی، 14 ژوئیه با اندونزی و چهار روز بعد با بحرین رو در رو خواهد شد.

آنژوس ادامه داد:" ما نیم نگاهی به سایر تیم ها داریم اما کره به طور خاص مورد توجه است چون اولین بازی ما مقابل آنها است."

زمانیکه از او درباره خط زدن حامد المنتشری، بازیکن سال سابق AFC ، از فهرست 23 نفره تیم عربستان سؤال شد، آنژوس از تصمیمش دفاع و دلیل آن را مسائل تاکتیکی عنوان کرد: "المنتشری بازیکن بزرگی است و همراه با تیم ملی به دستاوردهای زیادی رسیده. با این حال، در حال حاضر من او را در ترکیب تیم ندارم و این تصمیمی است که امیدوارم درک شود."

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گل تیم کاهیل در وقت های تلف شده اولین دیدار گروه A جام ملت های آسیا، روز یکشنبه تساوی یک – یک را برای استرالیا مقابل عمان رقم زد.

این گل برای گراهام آرنولد، سرمربی استرالیا، تداعی کننده خاطره پیروزی این تیم مقابل ژاپن در جام جهانی بود. عمان در دقیقه 32 با گل بدر مبارک از حریف خود پیش افتاد و تا آخرین دقیقه پیروز میدان به نظر می رسید.

اما تیم کاهیل، درست مانند دیدار مقابل ژاپن در آلمان، از روی نیمکت به زمین آمد تا ناجی استرالیا باشد.

آرلوند پس از بازی گفت: " من سه بار سیستم بازی را عوض کردم اما در 5 دقیقه پایانی هیچ سیستمی وجود نداشت و ما به توپ های بلند متوسل شدیم. درست مثل بازی مقابل ژاپن در جام جهانی."

تیم کاهیل در آن دیدار که در کایزرسلاترن برگزار شد، دو گل در دقایق پایانی به ثمر رساند تا پیروزی 3-یک را به تیمش هدیه کند. این در حالی بود که ژاپن با گل شانسوکه ناکامورا، بازیکن سلتیک، در دقیقه 26 جلو افتاده بود.

آرنولد درباره هافبک معجزه گر اورتون گفت: " به همین دلیل است که "تیمی" برای ما خیلی خاص است. او بعد از سه یا چهار ماه مصدومیت بازگشته و پیشرفت خوبی دارد."

آرنولد در کنار نقش سرنوشت ساز کاهیل، عملکرد خوب مارک شوارزر، دروازه بان تیمش، را نیز نادیده نمی گیرد: " من از این نتیجه هم خوشحالم هم ناراحت. مارک شوارزر دو واکنش فوق العاده نشان و تیم را نجات داد. این موضوع نشان می دهد که کار در آسیا تا چه اندازه سخت است. ما باید با سرعت بالایی بازی را آغاز می کردیم. اگر با سرعت کم شروع کنی به حریف اعتماد به نفس می دهی. همین باعث شد که عمان شرایطی را که من نمی خواستم به بازیکنانم دیکته کند. عمان نشان داد که چه تیم خوبی است. این موضوع ما را متعجب نکرد چرا که در این باره تحقیق کرده بودیم و می دانستیم که آنها چطور بازی خواهند کرد."

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Japan and Urawa Reds midfielder Keita Suzuki is hoping to take advantage of his experience of playing in the AFC Champions League when the defending champions take on Qatar on Monday in their AFC Asian Cup 2007 Group B opener in Hanoi.

“Playing in the ACL has been a plus to me,” said Suzuki, “I had a tough game away in Sydney [against Sydney FC] and also played in Indonesia [against Persik Kediri]. Everything has being helping me.”

Suzuki, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday, helped the J. League club to book their place in the quarter-finals of the annual club competition and is now hoping to make his mark in his first appearance in the Asian Cup, having narrowly missed out on Japan’s 2004 Olympic squad.

“I have been looking forward to this tournament very much,” said Suzuki, following Japan’s official training session at My Dinh Stadium on Saturday.

“It was disappointing when I was not picked for the Olympics. But I set my target at the World Cup and have worked hard, telling myself that I would have another chance, which, I suppose, has helped me to get here.”

The Reds midfielder has earned 10 senior caps so far and is the only player to have in all of Japan’s games since Ivica Osim took the helm a year ago, making his debut on August 9 in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in Tokyo.

Asked about the aspect of his game that has won him a place in the team, Suzuki replied with a smile, “Hard working”, and added that that it would be a factor that would helps his side to get good results in the tournament.

“Hard work is important in any competition. The players who have a strong mentality can perform well even in tough conditions in the game, and that would apply to the players of Brazil, Italy or France, any team. I believe I can do that.

“Qatar have a good counter attack and individual skills as well as collective play. We should use our brain to take the initiative of the game.

“The game is not for individuals. We play as a unit and that I think is the strong point of Japan game. I’d like to play well for our team and win the game,” he added.

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Oman coach Gabriel Calderon expressed pride in his players after Tim Cahill’s stoppage-time strike denied them victory over pre-tournament favourites Australia, as the two Group A hopefuls drew 1-1 at the Rajamangala Stadium on Sunday.

“I am proud to be Oman coach but I am obviously sad because we didn’t get the win tonight,” said the Argentine, whose side was thwarted by not only Cahill’s late leveller but by a superb performance from Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Calderon hinted that he accepts Oman carry the mantle of group outsiders, stating that each of their three group games are being treated like deciders.

“This was the first of three finals for Oman. Now we have two more against Thailand and Iraq who are both very strong teams.

“Of course I am disappointed with the result as I though Oman were the better side on the night.”

Oman were indeed the superior side for most of the match and with the Socceroos wilting in the Bangkok humidity, Calderon’s side control large parts of the proceedings.

After taking a 32nd minute lead through Badar Mubarak Oman could have killed off the game only for the impressive Scharwzer to deny the Gulf side on three occasions.

The first came three minutes after the restart when he kept out a low drive from Ahmed Mubarak before a superb one-handed save denied Imad Ali, the Samsung MVP who also failed to find the target when he headed the resulting rebound wide of the mark.

Substitute Fawzi Basheer, who came on for goal scorer Badar on the hour mark, had the third chance with 13 minutes of the match remaining but the Middlesbrough keeper was off his line sharply to block the Qatar-based midfield dynamo.

“Tonight we were very good tactically and technically and we should have won the game because we had three very good chances.

“But this is football and if you don’t score the chances you create against a team as strong as Australia then you get what happened to us today.”

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Komano doubt for Japan

Sanfrecce Hiroshima full back Yuichi Komano’s participation in Japan’s opening game of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 against Qatar on Tuesday is in doubt due to an ankle injury.

The left-sided defender twisted his ankle during training on Saturday and trained separately from the rest of Ivica Osim’s side as they prepared for the game against the Asian games gold medallists.

FC Tokyo midfielder Yasuyuki Konno took Komano’s place in training on Sunday and coach Osim left the session without commenting on the possibility of losing Komano for the first game of Japan’s Asian Cup defence.

The Japanese have been hit with several withdrawals from their squad due to injury, with Urawa Reds defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Hiroki Mizumoto from JEF United Chiba not making the trip to Vietnam, while Ryuji Bando returned home before the naming of the final squad at the end of last week.

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Co-hosts Vietnam shock Gulf Cup holders


Vietnam opened their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates as second half goals from Huynh Quang Thanh and Le Cong Vinh ensured a surprise triumph over the Gulf Cup champions on Sunday.

The UAE had the better of the scoring opportunities in the first half with lively strike duo Faisal Khalil and Ismail Matar posing a constant threat to the co-hosts.

But after the UAE failed to take their chances, Alfred Riedl’s side took the lead just after the hour mark through Quang Thanh before 21-year-old Cong Vinh wrapped up the win to blow Group B, which also contains defending champions Japan and Qatar, wide open.

The UAE threatened in the closing stages, but failed to really trouble home goalkeeper Hong Son Duong as Vietnam claimed a historic victory.

The game began at a frantic pace in an electric atmosphere created by a near sell-out crowd at the My Dinh National Stadium, but neither side created a real opening with Khalil’s early shot, which was blocked on the edge of the area, the only real threat inside the opening 15 minutes.

Vietnam came within inches of opening the scoring with 16 minutes on the watch as Quang Thanh’s teasing free-kick from the right was flicked the wrong side of the upright by Dong Thap striker Phan Thanh Binh, while at the other end Matar curled a free-kick from the edge of the area just wide of the post.

Song Lam Nghe An custodian Son Duong kept the scores level after 30 minutes with a full length diving save after Khalil had broke into the area and looked to find the bottom corner with a low shot.

The home side came out of the blocks firing at the start of the second half and it took a diving save from UAE goalkeeper Majed Naser to deny Nguyen Vu Phong’s stinging low shot from the edge of the area before the custodian quickly regained his feat to comfortably save Binh Phan’s follow-up shot.

A flying Matar was felled on the edge of the area before the hour mark and after penalty appeals were waved away, the Al Wahda striker chipped the resulting free-kick over the bar.

Vietnam delighted the passionate home crowd three minutes after the hour mark as Quang Thanh pounced on Nguyen Minh Phuong’s chipped pass into the area and gave a helpless Naser no chance from close range.

The home side almost doubled the lead a minute later as Naser did well to parry Thanh Binh’s powerful close range strike and Vu Phuong scooped the rebound over the bar.

The crucial second goal came with 17 minutes remaining as Cong Vinh beat the UAE offside trap to lob Vu Phong’s lofted pass over an advancing Naser from the edge of the area.

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Saudi Arabia coach Helio dos Anjos is refusing to name his starting line-up for his side’s AFC Asian Cup opener against Korea Republic, even though he has all but decided who will start against the two-time champions.

The two Group D powerhouses meet in Jakarta on Wednesday evening and Anjos is keeping his cards close to his chest as his side prepare to kick-off their continental challenge.

"The final line-up for the match is ready," said the 49-year-old Brazilian. "However, it will remain in my mind and we might have some few last minute changes.

"We still have four training sessions before our first match and we will be working on the tactics and it is not wise to reveal the line-up for the media.”

The former Juventude and Sao Caetano coach, who arrived with the Saudi national team to Jakarta on Thursday, added that the training pitches have made it hard for him to choose his team.

"I think that the remaining training sessions are enough for us to prepare for Korea Republic," he continued. "However, the training pitch at the Police Stadium has changed the tactics that I had for the team as the ground is very hard."

After playing their first match against Korea Republic on Wednesday, the Saudis will meet co-hosts Indonesia on July 14 before playing Gulf neighbours Bahrain four days later.

"We are keeping an eye on the other teams," he said. "We are also following Korea, especially because we will be playing our first match against them."

When asked about his decision to drop former AFC Player of the Year Hamad Al Montashari from his final 23-man squad, Anjos justified his choice as it only serves his tactical plan for the tournament.

"Al Montashari is a great player and he has great achievements with the national team," he added. "However, at the moment I don't have him in the squad and it is a decision that I hope will be understood."

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Super sub Cahill rescues subdued Socceroos


Oman were denied the first shock of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 when substitute Tim Cahill scored an injury-time equaliser as pre-tournament favourites Australia drew 1-1 with the Gulf Sultanate at the Rajamangala Stadium on Sunday.

The result mirrored Saturday’s result between Group A hosts Thailand and Iraq, leaving all four teams level on points and goal difference after the first round of matches.

Badar Mubarak looked to be the hero for Oman when he opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and just as it was looking as though Australia’s competition debut would end in defeat, the Everton midfielder continued his knack of scoring vital goals for his country when he levelled the tie right at the death.

It was rough justice on the lively Omanis but the four minutes of injury time were always a possibility as their frustrating time-wasting tactics came back to haunt them.

The opening 10 minutes of the match was a scrappy affair with neither side creating any clear cut chances until Ismail Ali, Oman’s top scorer in qualifying with four goals, headed Yousuf Sha’ban’s corner over the bar.

Oman again came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes later when Sha’ban dived into the six-yard box in a desperate attempt to get his head on the end of an Ahmed Hadid free-kick swung in from the left.

The Socceroos seemed to be labouring in the Bangkok humidity and shortly after Brett Emerton had become the first player to enter Seychellois referee Eddy Maillet’s book Australia mustered their clearest effort at goal.

Harry Kewell, who had earlier attempted to win a penalty by falling to the ground under minimal contact from defender Hassan Yousuf Madhafar, was perfectly placed in the apex of the six-yard-box to hammer home Luke Wilkshire’s 20th minute free-kick but the injury-prone Liverpool attacker took his eye off the ball and knocked it across goal instead of into the back of the net.

The Gulf side, playing in only their second Asian Cup finals, took the lead in the 32nd minute when Imad Ali picked up possession on the left side deep into Austrailian territory.

The Qatar Sports Club forward, who scored three times in Oman’s debut Asian Cup campaign, tried to set up Ismail Al Ajmi but while he failed to connect with pass the ball landed fortuitously into the path of Badar Mubarak whose low shot had too much purchase for Mark Schwarzer to keep out.

Australia had the chance to hit back immediately but recently-signed Newcastle United striker Mark Viduka swept a free-kick high and wide before Oman goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi was out sharply to deny Mark Bresciano, after the Palermo midfielder had superbly controlled the ball to set up the 41st minute chance.

Three minutes after the restart Oman almost doubled their lead when Ahmed Mubarak cleverly created space for a low shot from just outside the area, but Schwarzer got down well to push the ball to safety.

The Middlesbrough keeper again came to his side’s rescue in the 70th minute with a timely one-handed save from Imad Ali’s header following a move that started with Oman keeper Ali Al Habsi punching clear a Wilkshire corner.

With 13 minutes left to play Schwarzer was again the saviour for Australia with a smart block from Fawzi Basheer, although the midfield dynamo, who came on for goal scorer Badar Mubarak on the hour mark, should have put the game beyond any doubt.

Oman were punished for the profligacy and their numerous unnecessary injury stoppages when Cahill fired home the rebound after Al Habsi could only parry Bresciano’s shot back to the feet of the former Samoa youth international, who was only cleared to play for Australia in 2004.

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World Cup déjà vu for Aussie Arnold

Tim Cahill’s stoppage-time leveller in Australia’s 1-1 draw with Oman in their AFC Asian Cup Group A opener on Sunday rekindled memories of the Socceroos World Cup win over continental champions Japan for head coach Graham Arnold.

Oman took a 32nd minute lead through Badar Mubarak and that looked enough to give the Gulf Sultanate all three points. But Tim Cahill came off the bench to rescue the Aussies in their Asian Cup debut, just as he did in Germany against Japan.

“I changed the system three times but there was no system in the last five minutes and we resorted to hitting long balls up field. It was like at the World Cup against Japan all over again.

Arnold was recalling the match in Kaiserlautern when Cahill scored two late goals to inspire a come from behind 3-1 win over the three-time Asian Cup winners, after Celtic’s Shunsuke Nakamura had given Japan a 26th minute lead.

Commenting on the talismanic Everton midfielder, Arnold continued:

“That is why ‘Timmy’ is so special to us. He’s coming back after a three or four month injury lay-off and now has 30 minutes under his belt. He’s making good progress.”

While the Aussies have Cahill to thank for the point, Arnold also singled out the heroics of keeper Mark Schwarzer.

“I am relieved and disappointed at the result. We just got out of jail as Mark Schwarzer made two wonderful saves and the game showed just how difficult it is in Asia.

“We needed to start with a quick tempo. If you start with a slow tempo then you give the opponent confidence. That allowed Oman to dictate terms which wasn’t what I wanted the players to do.

“Oman showed what a good side they are. This didn’t surprise us as we had done our research and we knew how they were going to play.”

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China hold no fears for Nanthakumar

Malaysia defender K. Nanthakumar has revealed that the AFC Asian Cup co-hosts are in a confident mood ahead of their opening Group C clash with China on Tuesday.

Speaking after the Malaysians had enjoyed a brisk training session at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Sunday evening, Nanthakumar, a key figure throughout Perak’s impressive domestic campaign, felt that the South East Asian side are more than capable of improving on the narrow 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of China in a qualifier for the 2006 World Cup three years ago.

“Today went well and we will now see what happens on Tuesday, We are very confident going into the game against China,” said the talented 29-year-old who is equally at home playing in midfield or at the heart of defence.

“We lost (the World Cup qualifier) 1-0, but this year we are better prepared and our preparations are going very well. We have slowly improved.”

Nanthakumar, whilst clearly relishing the challenges that come with playing at Asia’s premier tournament, was also keen to point out that Malaysia would have to be at the top of their game if they were to emerge successfully from a tough group which will also feature Uzbekistan and a much fancied Iran side.

“We will be fighting very hard in order to win the (first) match with China,” he said.

“We must work hard in the game because China have a lot of experienced players, so we have to try very hard. For me, Iran are a strong team because they have already played in a World Cup. Whatever happens we will fight for a win.”

Meanwhile Malaysia head coach Norizan Bakar told the assembled media that, with a fully fit squad to choose from, he was looking forward to his charges rising to the occasion.

“This is the time for the team to do their best. People say Malaysian football is in decline but we are trying our best," declared the one-time Perlis and Penang boss.

“The players are the performers and when they get to this stage they have to perform at their level best.”

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Han not taking Malaysia lightly

China striker Han Peng believes that his side will not be complacent going into their opening AFC Asian Cup match against rank outsiders Malaysia on Tuesday.

With Thailand and Vietnam, two of Malaysia’s fellow co-hosts, already bagging points from their opening games, the burly 23-year-old front man refused to accept that Norizan Bakar’s side will provide the Chinese with anything but a similar challenge to the one they are expecting from Group C powerhouses Iran and Uzbekistan.

“If you play football, everyone has got a chance so it is very hard to say who is the best,” said Han who has been in terrific recent form for reigning Chinese Super League champions Shandong Luneng.

“Each team has got its own advantages, its own strengths and weaknesses. For us, we do have our own advantages and we will hopefully utilise them to qualify.”

Despite Han’s positive outlook, China head coach Zhu Guanghu has already come under intense pressure from the Chinese media during a less than convincing build-up to the 14th edition of Asia’s premier tournament, a spell that saw his side labour to wins over Singapore and Palestine.

With nothing but the best expected from a team who finished as runners-up to Japan when they hosted the Asian Cup three years ago, Han was nevertheless confident that China are fully focussed on the task ahead.

“I think that our three opponents are exactly the same for us, they all represent important matches for us,” he explained.

Following Monday’s training session at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, a China team official announced that front man Qu Bo, a former Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers trainee, had been forced to leave the pitch after damaging a foot.

Team doctors are expected to assess his injury later on Monday, before making a decision on whether or not the Qingdao Zhongneng forward is fit enough to play against Malaysia.

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Historic goal delights Cahill

Australia's goal-scoring hero Tim Cahill insists he is happy to play any role for his country as he echoed his World Cup heroics to step off the bench and rescue a 1-1 draw in their opening AFC Asian Cup game against Oman.

Last year, the Everton star helped Australia to victory against Japan when his late brace after coming on as a substitute turned potential defeat into a 3-1 win.

This time, he climbed off the bench to score his side’s first ever goal in the Asian Cup finals, sparing the Socceroos’ blushes as they rescued a 1-1 draw against the Middle Eastern side.

Australia, making their debut in the competition, clearly struggled to adapt to the Bangkok humidity and were frustrated by a determined Oman, who took the lead in the first half through a Badar Mubarak strike.

It could have been a different story but for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer pulling off a number of superb saves late on.

And it paid off as Cahill, who came off the bench midway through the second period, shot past Ali Al Habsi after pouncing on a spilled Mark Bresciano shot.

"I have got a lot of respect for this first goal in this competition because the Asian nation is magic, there are millions of people here and it is a massively watched tournament.," said the 27-year-old midfielder, whose side are now level on points and goal difference in Group A with Oman, Thailand and Iraq.

"I am pretty lucky, I said to myself if I got the chance I would take it and it came against Oman and it is another big moment in my career."

Another good performance for Cahill suggests he is close to full fitness after breaking his fifth metatarsal against Sheffield United in the Premier League in March.

A place in the starting line-up cannot be far off but Cahill insists he is happy to play any part for his country, be it from the bench or not.

He added: "I am happy being a part of this squad, I said that from day one and as long as you can play in any shape or form on the pitch and make something happen I am happy.

"What happened for me (against Oman) is priceless, you can't take that away, and you can't take away the first World Cup goal."

After torrential rain had dominated the tournament's opening game between Thailand and Iraq on Saturday, the skies cleared to give way to bright sunshine on Sunday.

Consequently, the humidity was fierce and clearly affected the Australian players and Cahill admitted that the stifling conditions are proving difficult to adapt to.

"It will most probably be like this throughout the whole tournament, hopefully we can go grow stronger but when you play in conditions like this, it is so hard," he said.

"You can't warm up in the humidity, it didn't affect them at all, they kept going to the end and Schwarzer had to pull off saves and it could have been a different story."

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Kawaguchi not feeling the heat

Two-time AFC Asian Cup winner Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi insists Japan are not feeling the weight of a potentially record fourth continental crown this July.

The 31-year-old custodian, who is also a veteran of all three of Japan’s FIFA World Cup campaigns, was part of Japan’s 2000 triumph in Lebanon and victory in China four years later.

And after picking up a maiden AFC Asian Cup crown in 1992 as hosts, Japan would edge ahead of fellow three-time champions Iran and Saudi Arabia should Kawaguchi raise the trophy at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on July 29.

But Kawaguchi played down any feeling of pressure in the Japan camp ahead of their Group B opener with 2006 Asian Games gold medallists Qatar at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on Monday.

“There is no pressure on us being defending champions,” he said. “We are a good team and have good teamwork, we are challengers but there is no pressure. There is also no pressure on me being captain or a two time winner of the Asian Cup.”

Japan will look to end a two game drawing streak against Qatar, but Kawaguchi is well aware Dzmaludin Musovic’s side will be a tough opposition to break down.

“It is a difficult first game for us to face Qatar in a big tournament,” he added. “We have to be prepared for anything, mentally and physically, but it’s going to be very difficult against Qatar.”

Qatar captain Saad Al Shammari is hoping a strong opening day performance against Ivica Osim’s side will give his team a perfect start to the tournament ahead of the remaining Group B games against Gulf Cup champions UAE and co-hosts Vietnam.

“We are ready to play Japan and we are not afraid,” said the Al Gharafa midfielder. “The game against Japan will be very tough as they are on the best teams in Asia.

“We have respect for them as they have several good players. We must play our best to qualify for the second round because this game will decide who will be in the second round.”

The 26-year-old started two games at the last AFC Asian Cup in China before featuring during the victorious 2004 Gulf Cup campaign in Doha.

“Japan are a very good team and they will be tough in the opening game, but maybe it will help us raise our game as well and help us progress into the next round of the tournament,” he added.