For the fourth edition of the Dynasty Cup football tournament of East Asia, the Japan, titleholder, welcomes the competition, matches taking place at the National Stadium (Tokyo) and the International Stadium in Yokohama.
The competition brings together the national selections of the South Korea, of China, Hong Kong, and of course the Japanese host.
The tournament brings together all the teams in one group, the team finishing first in the group won the Dynasty Cup.
A victory reported three points, a draw one point and a loss zero point.
Two-time winner and champion in the Dynasty Cup, the Japan has one goal in mind: be ready for the biggest event in its history, the organization of the World Cup in 2002 jointly with South Korea. In this regard, the qualification for the next World Cup in France is already a success, even if the journey was arduous, with this victory in the third round of the Asia zone against Iran (3-2 victory in overtime, thanks to the golden goal). But no matter which way, the important thing for the Japanese selection is to qualify for the next World Cup 1998, first qualifier in its history in the World Cup. This Dynasty Cup is thus the beginning of ideal preparation, and no doubt that coach Takeshi Okada, former glory of the Japanese selection, will benefit from this competition to solidify its group and see the new Japanese phenomenon of 21 years, Hidetoshi Nakata.
For South Korea, the challenge is the same as the Japan: put everything in place for the biggest football event in four years. Qualified without hesitation for the 1998 World Cup by finishing first in group B before the Japanese selection (6 wins, 1 draw, one defeat, 19 goals scored for seven cashed), the Red Devils will play their fifth World Cup finals and continue to garner experience against the other nations of the world. After a few years of scarcity, the men of coach Cha Bum-kun emerging from a victorious King's Cup, and now want to reclaim a title already won in the first edition.
Facing the South Koreans and the Japanese, China and Hong Kong seem more indented, but not ambition fail in this tournament.
The Chinese selection, under the orders of the English coach Bob Houghton, was unable to succeed to qualify for the France World Cup, finishing third in group A behind Saudi Arabia and the Iran. Winner of the Dunhill Cup 1997, friendly tournament involving inter alia the Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Finland, the Great Wall has tasted the sweet scent of victory, and now wants to take against selections even stronger as South Korea and the Japan.
For Hong Kong, the ambition to compete and beat the great nations of the Asian zone is still the order of the day. Eliminated in the first round in qualifying for the next World Cup (Hong Kong finished last of group F behind South Korea and the Thailand), the results of the Hong Kong selection does not argue for next embellishment. This Dynasty Cup is the way for men to coach Sebastian Araujo to learn again and again, for a next day finally compete and know the taste of a victory in a tournament worthy of the name. Like the previous edition, the Hong Kong selection is represented by the Hong Kong League XI, football team composed entirely of players who plays in the first division of the Hong Kong Championship, included foreigners.
March 1, 1998, the fourth edition of the Dynasty Cup begins.
The first match of the day is already a poster, South Korea against the Japan. The International Stadium of Yokohama is full of 59,000 spectators, the referee gives the kickoff of the encounter, and eighteen minutes pass when Masashi Nakayama opened the score and raises a cry of joy in the stands of the stadium. The Japan led 1-0, but caught two minutes later by South Korean striker Lee Sang-Yoon. 1-1, everything is to be redone for the Samurai Blue. Half time is piped on this score of parity, and the match file slowly but sharing points, surely when Shoji Jo arises in the 89th minute and mark the second goal of the Japanese selection. The Red Devils can do most anything, and the Japan won the three points for the victory.
In the other game of the day, China faces the Hong Kong selection. The 22 players to neutralize in the first period, but in the second half, the defender of Dalian Wanda FC Zhang Enhua found the fault at the 59th minute and gave the victory to the Great Wall. First game and already a victory, the Chinese selection is not here to joke.
Three days later, the Japan can already take a serious option on the title by winning his match against Hong Kong. 50,000 spectators are present in the International Stadium to encourage the Samurai Blue, and they scream of pleasure when the young prodigy of twenty-one Hidetoshi Nakata opened the score at the 22nd minute. Twelve minutes later, Dale Tempest, English striker of 35-year-old, even for the Red and White. The stands did not expect, but blow of relief two minutes later when the Saudi Arabian referee whistle a penalty for the Japan. Nakata soars and wrong once again Hong Kong goalkeeper. The time to congratulate, and the defence of the Red and White cash a third goal four minutes more later (Tadatoshi Masuda). The stadium includes colors and congratulates his players when half time is piped. But the men of the Japanese coach Takeshi Okada are hungry for goals, Hiroshi Nanami regia supporters at the 71st minute, before his teammate Wagner Lopes completes the task at the 85th. Score final 5-1 for the Samurai Blue, who intend to retain their title at the end of the tournament.
The same day, South Korea has no choice but victory against China. The Thai referee gives the kickoff, and Li Bing, striker of Sichuan Guancheng FC, quiet South Korean passions at the 16th minute. Thunderclap for the Red Devils to score and already three far from a new sacred Dynasty Cup! The end of the first period, and the Chinese selection regret yet these three minutes, where Choi Sung-Yong equates at the 39th until Lee Sang-Yoon scored his second goal of the competition (42nd). Halftime, the Red Devils now lead 2-1! [|i]The Great Wall[|i] pushes back to the score, but the South Korea does not break, and at the end of regulation time, the Red Devils prevail and may still believe in the final victory.
On 7 March, the last two games of the tournament will decide the winner of the fourth Dynasty Cup.
Japan, with two wins in two games, faces a Chinese selection that must absolutely win to always hope. Decidedly this tournament is full of surprises, and one of them is named Li Bing, which marks a double during this match and allows the Great Wall to take the three points for the victory.
With three points in the ranking, South Korea must also win against Hong Kong selection to return to the level of the Japan and China. But the Red and White have heart, and the match quietly moves the sharing of points, when Choi Yong-Soo completed hopes Hong Kong and wrong the opposing goalkeeper in stoppage time. Score final 1-0 for the Red Devils, what outcome!
At the end of the competition, three teams have six points in the ranking: Japan, South Korea, and China. But with a better goal difference, the Japan finished first in the group and won for the third consecutive time the Dynasty Cup.
With 3 goals scored during the competition, the Chinese striker Li Bing was topscorer of the Dynasty Cup 1998.
