FACTBOX-Soccer-2007 Asian Cup facts and figures

BANGKOK, July 2 (Reuters) - Facts and figures about soccer's Asian Cup ahead of the 2007 edition this month.

* The 2007 Asian Cup will be co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam from July 7-29.

* The opening match will be staged in Bangkok and the final will be in Jakarta. Vietnam and Malaysia will host the semi-finals.

* The four co-hosts, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, qualified automatically for the finals.

* The remaining 12 places were decided by a qualifying tournament, played over six rounds.

* The successful nations were Australia, Bahrain, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

* The tournament was first held in 1956. It was staged every four years until 2004 but the 14th edition has been brought forward to 2007 to avoid clashing with the Beijing Olympics.

* Iran, Japan and Saudi Arabia have won the title three times each. South Korea have won twice while Kuwait and Israel have won once.

* Australia are favourites for the 2007 Asian Cup despite competing in the tournament for the first time. Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 after previously playing in the Oceania Football Confederation.

* Previous Asian Cup hosts and champions: Year Host Champions 1956 Hong Kong South Korea 1960 South Korea South Korea 1964 Israel Israel 1968 Iran Iran 1972 Thailand Iran 1976 Iran Iran 1980 Kuwait Kuwait 1984 Singapore Saudi Arabia 1988 Qatar Saudi Arabia 1992 Japan Japan 1996 United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia 2000 Lebanon Japan 2004 China Japan