2011 AFC Asian Cup

Asian football tournament.

The 2011 AFC Asian Cup was the 15th edition of the tournament, held in Qatar from January 7 to January 29, 2011. This edition featured 16 teams competing for the title, with Qatar hosting the tournament for the second time, having previously hosted it in 1988. The tournament began with a strong opening match where Qatar faced Uzbekistan.

Japan emerged as the champions after defeating Australia 1-0 in the final, securing their fourth Asian Cup title. The final was held at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Japan's Keisuke Honda was instrumental in their victory, earning him the Best Player award of the tournament. The competition saw a total of 32 matches played, with 90 goals scored at an average of 2.81 goals per match and an overall attendance of 405,361 spectators.

Koo Ja-cheol of South Korea was the top scorer of the tournament, netting five goals. The tournament also highlighted impressive performances from various teams, with South Korea finishing third after defeating Uzbekistan in the third-place playoff.

The tournament was broadcasted to a vast audience, with a television viewing audience of 484 million across multiple regions including Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. The event showcased Qatar's ability to host major international sporting events and provided a platform for Asian football to shine on a global stage.

The successful organization of the tournament set a precedent for future events and underscored the growing competitiveness of football in Asia. Following this edition, Japan's victory allowed them to qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup as the AFC representative. The next AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to take place in Australia in 2015, continuing the tradition of this prestigious tournament.