20110108 Determining Asia's Best (2)

Determining Asia's Best

How it all works

In the first round, each of the 16 teams will compete in three matches. Then the eight most successful teams will progress to the next round. The teams that lose in the four matches of that round are knocked out of the tournament. The teams that survive then complete in four final matches that determine the winner. This winning team claims the Asian title for four years. In addition, it automatically qualifies for another tournament – the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Where it all happens

This year’s Asian Cup will take place in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar. Though it’s one of the world’s smallest countries, Qatar isn’t worried about handling the crowd. It successfully hosted the AFC Asian Cup in 1988, using only two stadiums. This time, however, the oil-rich country will use five.

Qatar certainly won’t be the only country putting its best foot forward at the tournament. Asia’s finest will be doing the same as the Asian Cup determines its champion.