2011 Asian Cup football tournament kicks off in Doha

2011-01-08 11:12:36 GMT2011-01-08 19:12:36 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English

Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Shaojin)

Zhang Jilong(R), vice-president of AFC chats with Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, the newly elected vice-president of FIFA during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Tao Xiyi)

The national flag of Qatar is seen during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Shaojin)

A local elder and a young boy of Qatar chant Arabic poems during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Shaojin)

Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup football tournament at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, Jan. 7, 2011. (Xinhua/Chen Shaojin)