Tuesday, December 12, 2006

ASIAN GAMES- DOHA


The football semi finals take place today. The second of which will cause enormous excitement in football crazy Qatar, where the hosts entertain two time defending champions, Iran.

Qatar seem to hold all the cards in this match up, they have been strongly favoured by the officials, think South Korea in the 2002 World Cup.

Money is no object, they have spent almost $3 billion in hosting the games and they have fast tracked several foreigners into Qatar citizenship, the most high profile is young playmaker Sebastian Quintana, formerly from Uruguay.

Their domestic league is littered with star names including Batistuta, LeBoeuf, Okocha, Guardiola and Desailly.

Iran are on 15 match unbeaten run at the Asian Games, but have really ridden their luck so far. After meeting 3 of the weaker sides early the tournament, they faced China in the quarter finals and were outplayed for long periods, despite their opponents playing for 57 minutes with only 10 men.Iran eventually progressed 8-7 in a penalty shoot out, today they will be weakened by the missing, suspended Mehrad Oladi.

The hosts to march on and the celebrations to begin in Doha.

4 points Qatar -1/4 ball asian line 1.95.

Good luck.

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