1/1/2006
Kim Hyun-cheol, Korea Times

South Korea will meet another World Cup Asian representative Iran in its draw for the 2007 Asian Cup, which will take place in four Southeast Asian Countries in July.

The two countries met in Group B, along with Syria and Taiwan in yesterday’s draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday.

South Korea, semifinalists at the 2002 World Cup, was defeated 4-3 by Iran in the previous Asian Cup and will aim to take revenge on the Middle Easterners at the tournament.

In the qualification, a total of 24 countries compete in six groups in a home-and-away full league. Top two countries in each group advance to the finals with the hosts _ Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

South Korea starts the qualification with two away games with Syria on Feb. 22 and Aug. 16 with Taiwan. After having three games at home _ with Iran on Sep. 1, with Taiwan five days later and with Syria on Oct. 11 _ South Korea finishes the first round competition with an away face-off with Iran on Nov. 15.

South Korea has a slight edge over Iran with a record of eight wins, seven losses and one draw. It exchanged one win and loss with Syria, while overwhelming Taiwan in 13 wins, six losses and one draw in past encounters.

Australia, led by former South Korean coach Guus Hiddink, will have a tough path in its debut as a new member of the Asian Football Confederation, as it is in Group D pitted against Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon.

Asian Cup Qualification Draw

Group A: Japan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, India
Group B: Iran, South Korea, Syria, Taiwan
Group C: Jordan, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan
Group D: Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Australia
Group E: China, Iraq, Singapore, Palestine
Group F: Uzbekistan, Qatar, Hong Kong, Bangladesh