Wednesday, June, 23

(AFC) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Four Southeast Asian countries have put in bids to host the 2007 Asian Cup, according to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

General Secretary Dato' Peter Velappan said on Tuesday that Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia abd Vietnam have submitted bids to host the tournament in 2007. The AFC will choose a host at the end of the Asian Cup China 2004 tournament, which ends on August 7.

The possibility of co-hosting remains an option, said Velappan, as Thailand expressed an interest in teaming up with one of its ASEAN neighbours if called upon.

Said Velappan: "We are looking at the possibility of a joint bid but it's too early to tell. We are keeping the door open and see how it goes."

A spokesman for the Football Association of Thailand said that, should Thailand win the bid, all games are likely to be played in Bangkok.

"We would also look at being joint hosts if the AFC wants to go this way," said the spokesman.

Senior officials from the Football Association of Malaysia are expected to meet later this week to discuss their bid for the 2007 tournament.

The AFC last month confirmed that Southeast Asia would host the tournament, which is being rotated throughout Asia's four regions: West Asia, Central/South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.

The governing body also decided to stage the tournament one year ahead of schedule to avoid clashing with the 2008 UEFA European Championships and the Beijing Olympics.

The competition will continue its four-yearly cycle after 2007.

Thailand has successfully staged the Tiger Cup in the past and in November will host the FIFA Women's Under-19 World Cup.

However, the country's handling of last year's AFC Champions League second leg between home side BEC Tero Sasana and UAE's Al Ain came under fire because of lack of security.

Malaysia proved it is capable of organizing major events when Kuala Lumpur hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Indonesia has no history of staging major continental tournaments, although it did host the final stages of the 2002 Tiger Cup.

Football is a minor sport in basketball-mad Philippines, although its capital, Manila, is the birthplace of AFC, which was formed in 1954 on the sidelines of the Asian Games.

© 1997 - 2002 Irankicks.com