Saudi Arabia forward Hussein Omar, right, against UAE defender Hassan Ahmed during the Asian Cup match in Abu Dhabi on 21 December, 1996. AFP
Iranian defender Mehrdad Minavan tries to stop Kuwaiti forward Bashar Abdul Aziz during the third place playoff match in Abu Dhabi. Iran beat Kuwait on penalties. AFP
UAE players celebrate their victory over Iraq in the quarter-finals in Abu Dhabi. The UAE beat Iraq 1-0, with an extra time goal. AFP
UAE's Munther Abdulla, centre, dribbles past Iraqi defenders Hayder Majeed, left, and Esam Salem during their Asian Cup quarter-final in Abu Dhabi. AFP
Iraqi forwards Haydar Majed and Khalid Sabbar celebrate after their victory against Thailand in an Asian Cup match in Dubai. AFP
Action from the Asian Cup Group B match between Thailand and Iraq in Dubai. Iraq defeated Thailand 4-1. AFP
Emirati solders celebrating a UAE victory against Indonesia in Al Ain. UAE defeated Indonesia 2-0. AFP
Chinese striker Sun Jihai tries to get through the Syrian defence during a match in Al Ain. China beat Syria 3-0. AFP
Kuwaiti forward Bader Halabij runs after the ball with South Korean defender Lee Young Jin during an Asian cup match in Al Ain. AFP
Saudi Arabian players Kalid Khal, right, Hussein Omar, centre, and Fahed Mohalal celebrate their victory after defeating Iraq during their Asian Cup match in Dubai stadium on December 8, 1996. Saudi Arabia became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals when they beat Iraq 1-0 in their Group B match. AFP
Japanese supporters celebrate their victory against Uzbekistan in Al Ain. Japan won the match 4-0. AFP
Japanese players wave to their supporters after winning their match against Syria in Al Ain. AFP
Emirati women walk in a carnival held in Abu Dhabi streets, celebrating the opening of the 1996 Asian Cup. AFP
Fireworks burst over the water on a beach in Abu Dhabi during opening ceremonies for the Asian Cup. AFP
Members of the Saudi Arabian football team celebrate their victory over the UAE in 1996 at Shiekh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AP Photo
