Asian Football - Marriage or Football?

Vietnamese midfielder Phan Van Tai Em got married July 22 - the same day his teram played and lost its Asian Cup quarter-finals match against Iraq in Bangkok. 

"He just didn't believe the team had a chance," coach Alfred Riedl said of Tai Em's booking his wedding day for the same day as the match. "It's very disappointing that he has no confidence in his team." 

Unfortunately history suggested that the player's lack of confidence was well-founded. Vietnam last made the tournament's knockout rounds in 1960.