2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round

Last updated

The AFC third round of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification was decided by a random draw which was conducted in Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2007. The round began on 6 February 2008 and finished on 22 June 2008.

Contents

The top two countries in each group at the end of the stage progressed to the fourth round, where the ten remaining teams will be divided into two groups of five.

Format

The 20 teams (five teams given a bye directly to the third round, 11 highest-ranked winners from the first round, and four winners from the second round) were divided into four pots for the draw, each containing five teams. The pots were drawn as follows:

Pot APot BPot CPot D

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia

Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China

Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg  Iraq
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates

Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore

The 20 teams were split into five groups of four teams each, with all teams playing home and away against each of the other three teams in the group.

The top two teams in each group qualified for the fourth round.

Group 1

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of Qatar.svg Flag of Iraq.svg Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 631273+410 Fourth round 3–0 1–0 0–1
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 631256110 1–3 2–0 0–0
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 62134627 1–0 0–1 1–1
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 61323416 0–0 0–1 1–2
Source: [1]
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg3–0Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Kennedy Soccerball shade.svg11'
Cahill Soccerball shade.svg17'
Bresciano Soccerball shade.svg33'
Report
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Attendance: 50,969
Referee: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–1Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
H.M. Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg51' (pen.) Report Zheng Zhi Soccerball shade.svg75'

China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg0–0Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg2–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Fábio César Soccerball shade.svg1', 62' Report
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 13,000
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg1–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Kewell Soccerball shade.svg47' Report
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 48,678
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg0–0Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Muhsen Basma (Syria)

China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg0–1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report Soria Soccerball shade.svg14' (pen.)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–0Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
E. Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg28' Report

China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg1–2Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Zhou Haibin Soccerball shade.svg33' Report E. Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg41'
Akram Soccerball shade.svg67'
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg1–3Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Al Khalfan Soccerball shade.svg89' Report Emerton Soccerball shade.svg17', 56'
Kewell Soccerball shade.svg74'
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Lee Gi-Young (South Korea)

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg0–1Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report Sun Xiang Soccerball shade.svg12'
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 70,054
Referee: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg0–1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report Bechir Soccerball shade.svg77'

Group 2

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Japan.svg Flag of Bahrain.svg Flag of Oman.svg Flag of Thailand.svg
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 6411123+913 Fourth round 1–0 3–0 4–1
Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 632175+211 1–0 1–1 1–1
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 62225728 1–1 0–1 2–1
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 601551491 0–3 2–3 0–1
Source: [1]
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg4–1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Endō Soccerball shade.svg21'
Ōkubo Soccerball shade.svg54'
Nakazawa Soccerball shade.svg66'
Maki Soccerball shade.svg90+1'
Report Winothai Soccerball shade.svg22'
Saitama Stadium, Saitama
Attendance: 35,130
Referee: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Oman  Flag of Oman.svg0–1Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report Hubail Soccerball shade.svg14'

Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg0–1Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report Sulaiman Soccerball shade.svg1'
Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Mohsen Torky (Iran)
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg1–0Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Hubail Soccerball shade.svg77' Report
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Mark Shield (Australia)

Japan  Flag of Japan.svg3–0Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Nakazawa Soccerball shade.svg10'
Ōkubo Soccerball shade.svg22'
S. Nakamura Soccerball shade.svg49'
Report
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg2–3Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Chaikamdee Soccerball shade.svg25'
Winothai Soccerball shade.svg45'
Report Isa Soccerball shade.svg22'
Latif Soccerball shade.svg34'
Adnan Soccerball shade.svg57'

Oman  Flag of Oman.svg1–1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Ahmed Mubarak Soccerball shade.svg11' Report Endō Soccerball shade.svg53' (pen.)
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg1–1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Isa Soccerball shade.svg67' Report Thonglao Soccerball shade.svg65'
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Attendance: 21,000
Referee: Muhsen Basma (Syria)

Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg0–3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report Tulio Soccerball shade.svg23'
Nakazawa Soccerball shade.svg39'
K. Nakamura Soccerball shade.svg89'
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg1–1Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Aaish Soccerball shade.svg41' Report Sulaiman Soccerball shade.svg72'
Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Saad Al Fadhli (Kuwait)

Japan  Flag of Japan.svg1–0Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Uchida Soccerball shade.svg90' Report
Saitama Stadium, Saitama
Attendance: 51,180
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
Oman  Flag of Oman.svg2–1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Al Hosni Soccerball shade.svg58', 85' Report Sripan Soccerball shade.svg3' (pen.)

Group 3

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Flag of North Korea.svg Flag of Jordan.svg Flag of Turkmenistan.svg
Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea 6330103+712 Fourth round 0–0 2–2 4–0
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 633040+412 0–0 2–0 1–0
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 62136607 0–1 0–1 2–0
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 6015112111 1–3 0–0 0–2
Source: [1]
South Korea  Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg4–0Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Kwak Tae-hwi Soccerball shade.svg43'
Seol Ki-hyeon Soccerball shade.svg57', 85'
Park Ji-sung Soccerball shade.svg73'
Report
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Attendance: 25,738
Referee: Jasim Karim (Bahrain)
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg0–1Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report Hong Yong-jo Soccerball shade.svg44'

North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg0–0Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea
Report
Hongkou Football Stadium, Shanghai (China) [note 2]
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Saad Al Fadhli (Kuwait)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg0–2Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report Al-Bzour Soccerball shade.svg33'
Bawab Soccerball shade.svg86'
Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, Ashgabat
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Satop Tongkhan (Thailand)

South Korea  Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg2–2Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Park Ji-sung Soccerball shade.svg39'
Park Chu-young Soccerball shade.svg48' (pen.)
Report Abdel-Fattah Soccerball shade.svg73', 80'
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Mark Shield (Australia)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg0–0Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report

North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg1–0Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Choe Kum-chol Soccerball shade.svg72' Report
Kim Il-sung Stadium, Pyongyang
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Saad Al Fadhli (Kuwait)
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg0–1Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea
Report Park Chu-young Soccerball shade.svg24' (pen.)
King Abdullah Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Masoud Moradi (Iran)

North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg2–0Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Hong Yong-jo Soccerball shade.svg44', 72' Report
Yanggakdo Stadium, Pyongyang
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Talaat Najm (Lebanon)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg1–3Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg  South Korea
Ovekov Soccerball shade.svg77' (pen.) Report Kim Do-heon Soccerball shade.svg14', 86', 90+3' (pen.)

South Korea  Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg0–0Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg2–0Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Abdel Fattah Soccerball shade.svg66'Soccerball shade.svg67' Report

Group 4

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Flag of Singapore.svg Flag of Lebanon.svg
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 6501177+1015 [lower-alpha 1] Fourth round 3–0 3–0 [lower-alpha 2] 3–0
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 6501155+1015 [lower-alpha 1] 4–0 2–0 4–1
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 620471696 3–7 0–3 [lower-alpha 2] 2–0
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 6006314110 0–1 1–2 1–2
Source: [1]
Notes:
  1. 1 2 The positions of Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia are reversed from the original final standings after two matches were forfeited by Singapore.
  2. 1 2 Awarded as a 3–0 win as Singapore fielded an ineligible player.
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg0–1Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report Ahmedov Soccerball shade.svg44'
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg2–0Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Al-Qahtani Soccerball shade.svg38'
Mouath Soccerball shade.svg81'
Report

Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg3–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Kapadze Soccerball shade.svg45+1'
Shatskikh Soccerball shade.svg65'
Djeparov Soccerball shade.svg67' (pen.)
Report
MHSK Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg2–0Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Đurić Soccerball shade.svg8'
Fazrul Soccerball shade.svg24'
Report

Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg3–7Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Đurić Soccerball shade.svg16'
Mustafić Soccerball shade.svg31' (pen.)
Wilkinson Soccerball shade.svg73'
Report Kapadze Soccerball shade.svg10'
Karpenko Soccerball shade.svg22'
Djeparov Soccerball shade.svg34', 44'
Denisov Soccerball shade.svg42'
Ibrahimov Soccerball shade.svg62'
Shatskikh Soccerball shade.svg88'
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg4–1Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Al-Qahtani Soccerball shade.svg45', 90+1'
Hawsawi Soccerball shade.svg65'
Tukar Soccerball shade.svg83'
Report El Ali Soccerball shade.svg43'

Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg3–0
Awarded [note 3]
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Geynrikh Soccerball shade.svg80' Report
MHSK Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 12,867
Referee: Kim Dong-Jin (South Korea)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Ghaddar Soccerball shade.svg90+3' Report Tukar Soccerball shade.svg45+2', 60'
King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) [note 4]
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Satop Tongkhan (Thailand)

Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg0–3
Awarded [note 5]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report Ab. Otaif Soccerball shade.svg37'
Al-Fraidi Soccerball shade.svg76'
National Stadium, Singapore
Attendance: 23,000
Referee: Ben Williams (Australia)
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg3–0Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Ahmedov Soccerball shade.svg50', 63'
Djeparov Soccerball shade.svg90+4'
Report
MHSK Stadium, Tashkent
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Matthew Breeze (Australia)

Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg1–2Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Baihakki Soccerball shade.svg62' (o.g.) Report Dayoub Soccerball shade.svg72' (o.g.)
Wilkinson Soccerball shade.svg73'
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg4–0Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Ab. Otaif Soccerball shade.svg5'
Mouath Soccerball shade.svg36', 88'
Al-Harthi Soccerball shade.svg56'
Report

Group 5

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Iran.svg Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Flag of Syria.svg Flag of Kuwait.svg
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 633072+512 Fourth round 0–0 0–0 2–0
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 62227708 0–1 1–3 2–0
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 62227818 0–2 1–1 1–0
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 611481244 2–2 2–3 4–2
Source: [1]
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg0–0Flag of Syria.svg  Syria
Report
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Abdul Malik Bashir (Singapore)
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg2–0Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Al Shehhi Soccerball shade.svg14'
Khalil Soccerball shade.svg53'
Report

Syria  Flag of Syria.svg1–1Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Chaabo Soccerball shade.svg2' Report Matar Soccerball shade.svg54'
Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Sun Baojie (China PR)
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg2–2Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Ajab Soccerball shade.svg38'
Al-Rashidi Soccerball shade.svg81'
Report Nikbakht Soccerball shade.svg2'
Hosseini Soccerball shade.svg5'

Iran  Flag of Iran.svg0–0Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Lee Gi-Young (South Korea)
Syria  Flag of Syria.svg1–0Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Al-Hussain Soccerball shade.svg52' Report
Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Salem Mujghef (Jordan)

United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg0–1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report Zandi Soccerball shade.svg8'
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg4–2Flag of Syria.svg  Syria
Ajab Soccerball shade.svg2', 20', 63'
Al Khouja Soccerball shade.svg57' (o.g.)
Report Al-Khatib Soccerball shade.svg10', 45+2'
Thamir Stadium, Al Salmiya
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Abdullah Al Hilali (Oman)

Syria  Flag of Syria.svg0–2Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report Rezaei Soccerball shade.svg64'
Khalili Soccerball shade.svg90+5'
Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Satop Tongkhan (Thailand)
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg2–3Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Ajab Soccerball shade.svg52', 79' Report Matar Soccerball shade.svg23', 39'
Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg90+1'
Thamer Stadium, Salmiya
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)

Iran  Flag of Iran.svg2–0Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Nekounam Soccerball shade.svg17'
Rezaei Soccerball shade.svg90+2'
Report
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Sun Baojie (China PR)
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg1–3Flag of Syria.svg  Syria
Matar Soccerball shade.svg83' (pen.) Report Al Hussain Soccerball shade.svg34', 51'
Malki Soccerball shade.svg90+3'
Al Qatara Stadium, Al Ain
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Mark Shield (Australia)

Goalscorers

There were 137 goals scored in 60 matches, for an average of 2.28 goals per match.

6 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Due to security concerns, Iraq's home matches were played in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. [2]
  2. Since North Korea refused to play the anthem and fly the flag of South Korea, the match was moved from Pyongyang to Shanghai, China. [3] [4]
  3. FIFA awarded Uzbekistan a 3–0 win as a result of Singapore fielding the ineligible player Qiu Li. The match originally ended 1–0 to Uzbekistan. [5]
  4. Lebanon-Saudi Arabia match was moved from Beirut to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  5. FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia a 3–0 win as a result of Singapore fielding ineligible player Qiu Li. The match originally ended 2–0 to Saudi Arabia. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 AFC Asian Cup</span> International football competition

The 2004 AFC Asian Cup was the 13th edition of the men's AFC Asian Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It was held from 17 July to 7 August 2004 in China. The defending champions Japan defeated China in the final in Beijing.

The 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification was held in late 2005 and the final qualification round was held from February to November 2006 with 25 nations participating.

The 2007 AFC Champions League was the 26th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 5th edition under the current AFC Champions League title.

The 2008 AFC Champions League was the 27th AFC Champions League, the top-level Asian club football tournament, and the 6th under the current AFC Champions League title. It was the last AFC Champions League before the competition expanded to 32 teams.

The 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification saw various countries take part to determine 10 spots to the final tournament in Qatar under the new qualification system set by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

This page provides the summaries of the AFC first round matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.

The AFC fourth round of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification was decided by a random draw conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 27 June 2008. The round commenced on 6 September 2008, and finished on 17 June 2009.

The 2008 AFC Champions League knockout stage was played from 17 September to 12 November 2008. A total of eight teams competed in the knockout stage to decide the champions of the 2008 AFC Champions League.

The 2009 AFC Champions League group stage was played from 10 March to 20 May 2009. A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knock-out stage of the 2009 AFC Champions League.

The 2010 AFC Champions League group stage matches took place between 23 February and 28 April 2010.

The AFC second round of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification began on 18 February 2004 and finished on 17 November 2004.

The AFC third round of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification began on 9 February 2005 and finished on 17 August 2005.

A total of 32 teams, 16 from West Asia and 16 from East Asia, competed in the 2011 AFC Champions League group stage. They included 30 direct entries and 2 winners of the qualifying play-off.

The knockout stage of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup started on 21 January and ended on 29 January 2011. The top two placed teams from each preliminary group advanced to this stage.

This page provides the summary of the second round qualifiers for the group stage of the Asian football qualifiers for 2008 Olympics. The matches in this round were held on 28 February 2007 to 6 June 2007.

This page provides the summaries of the matches of the group stage of the Asian football qualifiers for 2008 Olympics.

This is a record of Iraq's results at the AFC Asian Cup. Iraq have appeared in the finals of the AFC Asian Cup on 9 occasions in 1972 to 1976, 1996 to 2019. Their best ever performance is a champions in the 2007 tournament held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam respectively.

Since the 1988 tournament, Japan has qualified for eight consecutive AFC Asian Cups from 1992 to 2019. Japan is also the most successful team in the tournament with 4 titles.

China PR has participated in the AFC Asian Cup since 1976.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) 2010, football - table and standings". soccer365.me. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  2. Iraq to host 3 World Cup qualifying matches in Dubai, USA Today, 22 January 2008.
  3. DPR Korea-Korea Republic to take place in Shanghai, FIFA.com, 7 March 2008.
  4. Koreas match moved to Shanghai after anthem row, Reuters.com, 7 March 2008.
  5. 1 2 Qiu ineligible for Singapore – FIFA, the-AFC.com, 4 December 2008.