Kuala Lumpur: We opened with Tehran’s iconic Azadi Stadium and closed with Abu Dhabi’s stunning Zayed Sports City Stadium, while featuring a further 14 venues in between, but the-AFC.com’s Great Grounds of Asia series has now come to an end.
In case you missed it, though, we’ve compiled a list of all 16 for you to sift through. After doing so, please let us know which is your favourite ground in Asia and feel free to tell us your best memory from that particular stadium on our social media accounts.
East Zone
Saitama Stadium 2002 (Tokyo)
The first venue we featured from the East was Japan’s Saitama Stadium 2002, where Urawa Red Diamonds won the 2007 AFC Champions League.
http://www.the-afc.com/2018-fifa-world-cup/great-grounds-of-asia-saitama-stadium-2002
Seoul World Cup Stadium (Seoul)
Seoul World Cup Stadium, meanwhile, was host of arguably the most significant match ever staged in Asia, the opening game of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
http://www.the-afc.com/korea-republic/great-grounds-of-asia-seoul-world-cup-stadium
Tianhe Stadium (Guangzhou)
Guangzhou Evergrande’s Tianhe Stadium has been among the most prominent grounds in recent years as its tenants have twice lifted the AFC Champions League trophy inside.
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/great-grounds-of-asia-tianhe-stadium
Stadium Australia (Sydney)
Australia were crowned AFC Asian Cup champions after an extra-time win over Korea Republic at Stadium Australia in 2015.
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/great-grounds-of-asia-stadium-australia
Workers’ Stadium (Beijing)
Built as one of China’s Ten Great Buildings in 1959, Workers’ Stadium boasts a colourful history.
http://www.the-afc.com/china-pr/great-grounds-of-asia-workers-stadium
ASEAN Zone
National Stadium (Kuala Lumpur)
Just a stone’s throw from the Asian Football Confederation’s headquarters is the impressive National Stadium, where Malaysia play their home games.
http://www.the-afc.com/malaysia/great-grounds-of-asia-national-stadium-bukit-jalil
Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok)
Rajamangala Stadium was the scene for inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain being crowned kings of the continent.
http://www.the-afc.com/2018-fifa-world-cup/great-grounds-of-asia-rajamangala-stadium
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (Jakarta)
One of the continent’s biggest shocks took place at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta when Iraq won the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
http://www.the-afc.com/indonesia/great-grounds-of-asia-gelora-bung-karno-stadium
My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi)
Vietnam’s greatest footballing moment occurred at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium as a 1-1 draw with Thailand in 2008 secured the regional AFF Championship title.
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-cup-2017/great-grounds-of-asia-my-dinh-stadium
Central & Southern Zone
Azadi Stadium (Tehran)
One of the most imposing grounds in Asia, Azadi Stadium is regularly packed out by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s passionate fans.
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/great-grounds-of-asia-azadi-stadium
Salt Lake Stadium (Kolkata)
Among the venues for the upcoming 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, Salt Lake Stadium hosts one of the most passionate derbies in football between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
http://www.the-afc.com/fifa-u-17-world-cup-2017/great-grounds-of-asia-salt-lake-stadium
Pakhtakor Stadium (Tashkent)
Never has the AFC Champions League seen a quicker goal than Sebastian Soria’s for Lekhwiya at Pakhtakor Stadium after just seven seconds.
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/great-grounds-of-asia-pakhtakor-stadium
West Zone
King Fahd International Stadium (Riyadh)
The striking King Fahd International Stadium is used by three of Saudi Arabia’s biggest club sides as well as the national team.
http://www.the-afc.com/saudi-arabia/great-grounds-of-asia-king-fahd-international-stadium
Zayed Sports City Stadium (Abu Dhabi)
In less than two years’ time, Zayed Sports City Stadium will play host to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final.
http://www.the-afc.com/asian-cup-2019/great-grounds-of-asia-zayed-sports-city
Khalifa International Stadium (Doha)
Three years later, Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium will be among the hosts for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
http://www.the-afc.com/qatar/great-grounds-of-asia-khalifa-international-stadium
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium (Al Ain)
And finally, Al Ain’s futuristic Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium is a sight to behold from both inside and outside.
http://www.the-afc.com/afc-champions-league-2017/great-grounds-of-asia-hazza-bin-zayed-stadium
Source: the-afc.com