DOHA: The Asian Cup was always going to be a rehearsal for the World Cup after Qatar was controversially awarded the 2022 event, and the gulf state managed to come through with its reputation largely intact. “I've always believed Qatar can organize a very good World Cup, an amazing World Cup,” said Asian Football Confederation President Mohamad Bin Hammam, seen as a frontrunner to replace Sepp Blatter at FIFA. “For me this Asian Cup was an opportunity for those who had less confidence to witness for themselves what can be done. “It's been an extremely well organized event by Qatar.” Bin Hammam, himself a Qatari, was instrumental in helping bring the World Cup to his homeland. There are no surprises that the tiny, but energy-rich, emirate managed to pull off a successful event, as it did in hosting the Asian Games in 2006, a multi-sport extravaganza second only to the Olympics in scale. The country threw money at the Asian Cup. The stadiums were shiny and modern, the organization excellent, the facilities top-notch and communications worked flawlessly. Players were full of praise. “The tournament's facilities are top-notch and the organization smooth to date. I am sure they will deliver an amazing World Cup in another 11 years' time,” Australia's Lucas Neill said. They were gracious comments from the Socceroos' captain, with Australia one of the countries which had been hoping to host the world's biggest sporting event 11 years from now. To general astonishment, it secured just one vote and was eliminated in the first round by FIFA officials in Zurich in December. It sparked a furious reaction, with Football Federation Australia's Jack Reilly claiming their bid had fallen victim to FIFA politics and Qatar's deep pockets. A criticism, though, of Qatar being awarded the World Cup was its lack of football pedigree and Asia's premier football tournament was played in front of mostly half-empty stadiums. There were barely 2,000 supporters to watch powerhouses Japan and Saudi Arabia in the group phase while less than 4,000 witnessed China's thrilling showdown with Uzbekistan. Few were Qataris. Even more worrying was the failure of Qatari fans to fill the stadium for their crucial quarterfinal against Japan –their biggest game in years. It followed thousands of fans streaming out of the hosts' opening game with 30 minutes left, leaving Khalifa Stadium eerily quiet at the final whistle. Organizers took note, and attendances for the semi-finals improved with what appeared to be thousands of schoolchildren bused in to watch Australia beat Uzbekistan and Japan oust South Korea. Despite their best efforts, it couldn't disguise a general lack of atmosphere in a city that offered fans meagure tourist pickings. Working in Qatar's favor is the compact size of the capital Doha, making it easy to get to stadiums despite negligible public transport and few taxis, while there is little crime. World Cup planners say they will build a new metro system to shuttle fans to games in 2022. Perhaps the biggest plus point of the Asian Cup was the weather, with temperatures hovering around the 20-22 Celsius mark, perfect footballing conditions. It is certain to further stoke debate about whether to host the World Cup in the traditional June-July window, when the mercury can soar to 50 Celsius in Qatar, or shift the tournament to winter. Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini have made clear they prefer January, but Bin Hammam has been adamant that it will remain a summer tournament. – Agence France
