Asian Cup 1996 - in pictures

  • Saudi Arabia forward Hussein Omar, right, against UAE defender Hassan Ahmed during the Asian Cup match in Abu Dhabi on 21 December, 1996. AFP
    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
    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 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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
    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
    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
    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
    Members of the Saudi Arabian football team celebrate their victory over the UAE in 1996 at Shiekh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. AP Photo