2000 AFC Asian Cup

Asian football tournament.

The 2000 AFC Asian Cup was the 12th edition of the tournament, held in Lebanon from October 12 to October 29, 2000. This edition featured 12 teams competing for the title, with Lebanon hosting the tournament for the first time in its history. The tournament began with high hopes for the host nation, but they faced challenges in their group.

The opening match saw Lebanon lose 0-4 to Iran, setting a disappointing tone for their campaign. Group A was topped by Iran, who advanced alongside Iraq, while Lebanon finished last in the group. In Group B, China emerged as the group winner, with South Korea qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams despite a lackluster performance.

Japan dominated Group C, finishing first with a remarkable goal difference after a stunning 8-1 victory over Uzbekistan. The quarter-finals featured intense matches, with South Korea defeating Iran 2-1 through a golden goal by Lee Dong-gook. Japan also progressed easily by defeating Iraq 4-1.

In the semi-finals, Saudi Arabia edged out South Korea with a late goal from Talal Al-Meshal, while Japan triumphed over China in a thrilling match that ended 3-2. The final took place at the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut on October 29, where Japan faced Saudi Arabia. In a tightly contested match, Japan won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Shigeyoshi Mochizuki, securing their second Asian Cup title.

Lee Dong-gook was the tournament's top scorer with six goals and was recognized for his outstanding performances throughout. Hiroshi Nanami was named Best Player of the tournament, while Jiang Jin received the Best Goalkeeper award. The tournament featured a total of 26 matches and saw 77 goals scored at an average of 2.96 goals per match, with an overall attendance of 276,488 spectators.

The successful hosting of the 2000 AFC Asian Cup marked a significant moment for Lebanese football and set the stage for future tournaments. The next edition was scheduled to take place in 2004 in China.