CHONGQING: Holders Japan will play Iran in the first round of the 2004 Asian Cup after being drawn in the same group as the middle east heavyweights here Thursday. With China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Japan all seeded to avoid each other in the first round of the July 17 to August 7 showpiece, all eyes were on who would draw dangerous floaters Iran in the group stage.

There were gasps as Iran were pulled out of the hat to face the Japanese along with Thailand and Oman in Group D, where all teams will be based in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing.

Though Iran struggled through qualifying, they are traditionally one of the continent’s strongest sides and boast Asian player of the year Mehdi Mahdavikia. Japan and Iran’s first-round collision on July 28 will be a replay of their famous World Cup play-off in 1997, which the Japanese won 3-2 to qualify for the 1998 finals in France.

Both Japan, coached by Brazilian legend Zico since their heroics at the 2002 World Cup where they reached the last 16, and Iran will be favoured to progress into the last eight. Thailand could prove the dark horses however. "The teams we are playing against are very strong and none of those games will be easy," said Japan technical director Kozo Tashima.

Misfiring South Korea, who limped into the finals barely a year after their fourth place finish at the World Cup, have awkward-looking opponents in the shape of Kuwait, UAE and Jordan in Group B.

Despite being Asia’s best performers at World Cup level - they have played at every tournament since 1986 - the South Koreans have not managed to stamp their authority on the Asian Cup, a tournament they last won in 1960.

Group C sees Saudi Arabia, winners of the tournament in 1984, 1988 and 1996 take on the footballers of war-shattered Iraq. Two former Soviet republics, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, complete the field. Saudi Arabia, who were the runners-up to Japan in both the 1992 and 2000 finals, will be favourites to qualify with Iraq and Uzbekistan vying for the remaining berth.

The Asian Cup is Asia’s premier international football tournament, having first been held in 1956