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Nickname(s) | (al-'Akh?ar, "The Green One") (a?-?uq?r al-'Akh?ar, "The Green Falcons") |
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Association | Saudi Arabian Football Federation |
Confederation | AFC (Asia) |
WAFF (West Asia) | |
Head coach | Hervé Renard |
Captain | Salman Al-Faraj |
Most caps | [1] |
Top scorer | Majed Abdullah (72)[2] |
FIFA code | KSA |
FIFA ranking | |
Current | 67 ![]() |
Highest | 21 (July 2004) |
Lowest | 126 (December 2012) |
First international | |
![]() ![]() (Beirut, Lebanon; 18 January 1957) | |
Biggest win | |
![]() ![]() (Dili, East Timor; 17 November 2015) | |
Biggest defeat | |
World Cup | |
Appearances | 5 (first in 1994) |
Best result | Round of 16 (1994) |
Asian Cup | |
Appearances | 10 (first in 1984) |
Best result | Champions (1984, 1988, 1996) |
WAFF Championship | |
Appearances | 3 (first in 2012) |
Best result | Group stage (3 times) |
Confederations Cup | |
Appearances | 4 (first in 1992) |
Best result | Runners-up (1992) |
The Saudi Arabia national football team (Arabic: ? ? ? ) represents Saudi Arabia in men's international football and The team's colours are green and white. Saudi Arabia are known as Al-Suqour (The Falcons) and Al-Akhdhar (The Green), The team represents both FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Considered one of Asia's most successful national teams, Saudi Arabia have won the Asian Cup three times (1984, 1988, and 1996), reached a joint record six Asian Cup finals and have qualified for the World Cup on five occasions since debuting at the 1994 tournament. Saudi Arabia is the first AFC nation to reach the final of a senior FIFA competition, when it achieved during the 1992 King Fahd Cup, which would eventually become the eventual FIFA Confederations Cup. Only Australia and Japan managed to repeat this feat, both in the same Confederations Cup.
In the 1994 World Cup under the leadership of Jorge Solari, Saudi Arabia beat both Belgium and Morocco in the group stage before falling to Sweden in the Round of 16. Thus Saudi Arabia became the second Arab national football team in history to reach the Round of 16 in a World Cup, after Morocco's Round of 16 elimination in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and one of the few Asian national football teams (others being Australia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea) to accomplish such a feat to date.
The idea of a Saudi national team first came about in 1951, when a Saudi XI team consisting of players from Al-Wehda and Al-Ahli took part in a friendly game against the Egyptian Ministry of Health on June 27, 1951 at the Al-Saban Stadium in Jeddah. The following day, the Egyptians took on a Saudi team made up of players from Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal in Al-Bahri in Jeddah. On August 2, 1951, His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal organized a third friendly with the Egyptian team against a Saudi National XI with players from Al-Wehda, and Al-Ahli. By then the idea of a national select team to represent the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was already in full flow, and in 1953 the first-ever Saudi team traveled to play friendly matches abroad. The same year, a Saudi team traveled to Damascus to play friendly matches as part of then-Crown Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz's visit to the country on April 1953.[5] In 1957, the Saudi national team took part in their first international tournament at the 2nd Pan-Arab Games in Beirut, where King Saud was invited to attend the opening ceremony and the inauguration of the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium with Lebanese President Camille Chamoun on October 18, 1957. The first game played at the stadium was between the national teams of Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Abdulmajeed Kayal scored for the Saudis while Levon Altonian netted for the home side. The Saudi players came from teams from Jeddah and Mecca, while the team was given support and encouragement from Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal for their trip to Beirut.[6]
Though their football federation was established in 1956, the Saudi Arabia national team did not participate in a tournament until they qualified for the AFC Asian Cup in 1984, which they won. They subsequently became one of Asia's most successful national teams, reaching the next four consecutive Asian Cup finals and winning two of them (1988 and 1996). They have qualified for every Asian Cup since, but their best performance in that period was reaching the final in 2007.
Saudi Arabia qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 1994. Under the leadership of Jorge Solari and with talents like Saeed Al-Owairan and Sami Al-Jaber, reinforced by national veteran Majed Abdullah as team captain, Saudi Arabia beat both Belgium and Morocco in the group stage before falling to Sweden in the Round of 16. Saudi Arabia qualified for the next three World Cups, but did not win a group stage match in any of them. They failed to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
Saudi Arabia secured qualification for the 2018 tournament,[7] ahead of Australia. However, they started on a sour note by letting host Russia rout them 0-5 on the opening match,[8] making this the second largest victory of any host nation at the FIFA World Cup.[9] The record of the host's largest opening victory is still by Italy, beating the United States 7-1, in 1934.[10] Once again, Saudi Arabia failed to reach the next round, after suffering another defeat, this time, losing 0-1 to Uruguay.[11] Saudi Arabia's performance in the tournament was deemed to be their worst performance since 2002 World Cup, where they were beaten 8-0 by Germany in their opening game and finished 32nd and bottom in the final rankings.[12] Although they were eliminated,[13] they managed to salvage some pride by winning their final group stage match (and their first win at a World Cup since 1994) against Red Sea neighbours Egypt.[14]
After the 2018 World Cup, Saudi Arabia participated in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup with a very high optimism after an acceptable performance in the World Cup, with the Saudis won its first World Cup game since 1994 edition. However, Saudi Arabia finished second in the group stage, after falling to Qatar in the final game,[15] and had to face another giant, Japan, in the round of sixteen. The Saudis dominated the whole game, but ultimately lost 0-1 due to poor finishing and crashed out from the competition.[16]
On 15 October 2019, Saudi Arabia played its first-ever game with Palestine in the West Bank. The game marked a change in policy for Saudi Arabia, which has previously played matches against the Palestinian team in third-party countries, the visit was condemned by some Palestinian activists who considered the game as a start of normalizing the relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but it was viewed by the Palestinian National Authority as a support for their sovereignty over the West Bank.[17] The game ended in a scoreless draw.[18]
The Saudi Arabia national football team's first kit are traditionally white and the second kit are green (flag colors).[19]
Kit supplier | Period |
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1976-1980 |
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1980-1984 |
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1984-1990 |
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1990-1993 |
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1994-2001 |
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2001-2003 |
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2004-2005 |
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2005-2010 |
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2011-present |
World Cup record | World Cup Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
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Hosts / year | Result | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA | |
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Not a FIFA member | No qualification | |||||||||||||
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Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||
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10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 16 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
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9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 9 | |||||||||
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Round of 16 | 12th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 28 | 7 | |
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Group stage | 28th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 7 | |
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32nd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 8 | ||
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28th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 2 | ||
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Did not qualify | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 25 | 15 | ||||||||
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8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 7 | |||||||||
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Group stage | 26th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 45 | 14 | |
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To be determined | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||
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Total | Round of 16 | 5/23 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 39 | 120 | 69 | 29 | 22 | 237 | 95 |
![]() The Final of the 1984 AFC Asian Cup, against China. Saudi Arabia won their first AFC Asian Cup in their first entry to the competition.
FIFA Confederations Cup
Arabian Gulf Cup record
Pan Arab Games
West Asian Football Federation Championship record
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The following table shows Saudi Arabia's all-time international record, correct as of 18 Nov 2020.
Against | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA |
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Total | 677 | 319 | 151 | 197 | 1033 | 728 |
Due to historical reasons, matches against Iran have been frequently followed and seen by Saudis as the most important rival. This stems from the strong hatred between Saudi Arabia and Iran, in particular recent years due to religious sectarianism and historical enmities. Saudi Arabia is trailing behind the series, but only one game defeat, with 4 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses. It's one of 10 most heated rivalries with political influence.[20][21]
Saudi Arabia's other heated rival is Iraq. However, the rivalry only began in 1970s. Due to the Gulf War, which Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia's ally Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq eventually become bitter rival fighting to salvage Arab pride.[22] The two countries since then have an up-and-down in relations, often ranged from lack of cooperation and political confrontation. Iraq almost pulled out of the 21st Arabian Gulf Cup after the country was disallowed to host the competition in a move believed to be motivated by Saudi Arabia.[23]
Saudi Arabia's other rivals are mostly from the Gulf, notably Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The following is a list of match results from the previous 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
19 November 2019 Friendly | Saudi Arabia ![]() | 0-0 | ![]() | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
19:30 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium Referee: Ali Al Samahiji (Bahrain) |
27 November 2019 24th AGC GS | Saudi Arabia ![]() | 1-3 | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
20:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
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Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium Attendance: 5,777 Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates) |
30 November 2019 24th AGC GS | Bahrain ![]() | 0-2 | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
20:00 UTC+3 | Report |
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Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium Referee: Lionel Tschudi (Switzerland) |
2 December 2019 24th AGC GS | Oman ![]() | 1-3 | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
20:00 UTC+3 |
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Report |
|
Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium Referee: Alexandre Boucaut (Belgium) |
5 December 2019 24th AGC SF | Saudi Arabia ![]() | 1-0 | ![]() | Al Wakrah, Qatar |
20:00 UTC+3 |
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Report | Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait) |
8 December 2019 24th AGC F | Bahrain ![]() | 1-0 | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
19:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium Referee: Lionel Tschudi (Switzerland) |
14 November 2020 Friendly | Saudi Arabia ![]() | 3-0 | ![]() | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
19:30 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Ahmed Eisa Mohamed Darwish (United Arab Emirates) |
17 November 2020 Friendly | Saudi Arabia ![]() | 1-2 | ![]() | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
19:30 UTC+3 |
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Report | Stadium: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium Attendance: 0 Referee: Yahya Al Mulla (United Arab Emirates) |
March 2021 2022 W.C. Q | Saudi Arabia ![]() | v | ![]() | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City |
March 2021 2022 W.C. Q | Singapore ![]() | v | ![]() | Kallang, Singapore |
Stadium: National Stadium |
June 2021 2022 W.C. Q | Saudi Arabia ![]() | v | ![]() | TBD, Saudi Arabia |
Stadium: TBD |
June 2021 2022 W.C. Q | Saudi Arabia ![]() | v | ![]() | TBD, Saudi Arabia |
Stadium: TBD |
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Mohammed Al-Rubaie | 14 August 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | GK | Habib Al-Wotayan | 8 August 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2 | DF | Sultan Al-Ghanam | 6 May 1994 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Abdullah Madu | 15 July 1993 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Mohammed Al-Khabrani | 14 October 1993 | 15 | 2 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Ali Al-Bulaihi | 21 November 1989 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
6 | DF | Mohammed Al-Breik | 15 September 1992 | 27 | 1 | ![]() |
12 | DF | Hassan Tambakti | 9 February 1999 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
17 | DF | Ahmed Sharahili | 8 May 1994 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
26 | DF | Abdullah Hassoun | 19 March 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
27 | DF | Saeed Al-Robeai | 4 June 1994 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Mukhtar Ali | 30 October 1997 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Abdulellah Al-Malki | 11 October 1994 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
11 | MF | Hattan Bahebri | 16 July 1992 | 29 | 4 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Ayman Yahya | 14 May 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | MF | Housain Al-Mogahwi | 24 March 1988 | 31 | 2 | ![]() |
25 | MF | Turki Al-Ammar | 23 September 1999 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
28 | MF | Mohamed Kanno | 22 September 1994 | 17 | 1 | ![]() |
9 | FW | Abdullah Al-Hamdan | 12 September 1999 | 11 | 4 | ![]() |
15 | FW | Saleh Al-Shehri | 1 November 1993 | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
19 | FW | Firas Al-Buraikan | 14 May 2000 | 9 | 3 | ![]() |
20 | FW | Abdulfattah Adam | 1 January 1995 | 4 | 2 | ![]() |
The following players have also been called up to the Saudi Arabia squad within the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Abdullah Al-Owaishir | 13 May 1991 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Yasser Al-Shahrani | 25 May 1992 | 57 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Ziyad Al-Sahafi | 17 October 1994 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Salman Al-Faraj | 1 August 1989 | 56 | 6 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Salem Al-Dawsari | 19 August 1991 | 52 | 12 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhem | 15 May 1994 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Nawaf Al-Abed | 26 January 1990 | 48 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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Manager | From | To |
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1957 | 1961 |
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1967 | 1969 |
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1970 | 1970 |
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1970 | 1972 |
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1972 | 1974 |
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1974 | 1974 |
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1975 | 1975 |
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1976 | 1977 |
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1978 | 1978 |
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1978 | 1978 |
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1979 | 1979 |
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1980 | 1980 |
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1981 | 1984 |
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1984 | 1986 |
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1986 | 1986 |
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1987 | 1987 |
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1988 | 1988 |
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1988 | 1988 |
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1988 | 1990 |
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1990 | 1990 |
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1990 | 1992 |
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1992 | 1992 |
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1992 | 1992 |
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1993 | 1993 |
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1993 | 1994 |
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1994 | 1994 |
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1994 | 1994 |
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1994 | 1994 |
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1995 | 1995 |
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1995 | 1996 |
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1996 | 1997 |
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1998 | 1998 |
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1998 | 1998 |
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June 1998 | June 1998 |
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1999 | Feb 1999 |
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May 1999 | 2000 |
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2000 | 2000 |
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Aug 2001 | Aug 2001 |
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Aug 2001 | July 2002 |
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Aug 2002 | Aug 2004 |
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2002 | 2002 |
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Sep 2004 | Nov 2004 |
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Nov 2004 | Dec 2005 |
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2006 | 2007 |
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March 2007 | June 2008 |
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June 2008 | February 2009 |
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February 2009 | January 2011 |
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January 2011 | February 2011 |
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June 2011 | July 2011 |
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August 2011 | January 2013 |
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January 2013 | December 2014 |
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December 2014 | January 2015 |
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March 2015 | August 2015 |
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September 2015 | September 2017 |
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September 2017 | November 2017 |
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November 2017 | January 2019 |
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March 2019 | August 2019 |
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August 2019 |
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Preceded by 1980 Kuwait ![]() |
Asian Champions 1984 (First title) 1988 (Second title) |
Succeeded by 1992 Japan ![]() |
Preceded by 1992 Japan ![]() |
Asian Champions 1996 (Third title) |
Succeeded by 2000 Japan ![]() |