List of Asian Cup champions

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Previous champions of the Asian Cup football tournament which begins Friday in Australia:

2011: Japan (at Qatar)

2007: Iraq (at Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam)

2004: Japan (at China)

2000: Japan (at Lebanon)

1996: Saudi Arabia (at United Arab Emirates)

1992: Japan (at Japan)

1988: Saudi Arabia (at Qatar)

1984: Saudi Arabia (at Singapore)

1980: Kuwait (at Kuwait)

1976: Iran (at Iran)

1972: Iran (at Thailand)

1968: Iran (at Iran)

1964: Israel (at Israel)

1960: South Korea (at South Korea)

1956: South Korea (at Hong Kong)

(Overall titles: Japan 4, Iran 3, Saudi Arabia 3, South Korea 2, Israel 1, Kuwait 1, Iraq 1).