The qualification for the 1980 AFC Asian Cup consisted of 18 teams in four groups. Eight teams from the top two of each group advance to the final tournament, joining hosts Kuwait and defending champions Iran.
Groups Group 1Group 2Group 3Group 4*
* Withdrew Iran qualified as defending champions Kuwait qualified as hosts
Qualification
Group 1
All matches played in the United Arab Emirates.
Group 2
All matches played in Bangladesh.
Iraq were originally drawn in this group but they withdrew before the start of the qualifiers.
Group 3 All matches played in Thailand.
Group allocation matches where winners were divided into separate groups. Singapore received a bye and was automatically allocated into Group 3B.
Group 3A
Group 3B
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
North Korea and Malaysia qualified for the final tournament.
Group 4
All matches played in the Philippines.
Qualified teams Team Qualified as Qualified on Previous appearance 13 June 1976 22 November 1979 0 (debut) 23 November 1979 0 (debut) 15 January 1979 0 (debut) 16 January 1979 0 (debut) 12 May 1979 0 (debut) 11 May 1979 29 December 1978 29 December 1978
Controversies In the 17 November match between Syria and Bahrain, the referee awarded a penalty to Bahrain. The Syrian head coach entered the pitch, threatening the referee, who stopped the match in the 75th minute. The play then restarted for another three minutes before entirely stopping due to more fighting. The committee initially awarded the match 3–0 in favour of Bahrain, but Syria threatened to withdraw; the committee adjusted its decision to a replay of the match on 25 November, but then Bahrain withdrew. All matches involving Bahrain were annulled.
Goalscorers
References
Morrison, Neil; Jovanovic, Bojan; Panahi, Majeed; Veroeveren, Pieter. "Asian Nations Cup 1980". RSSSF. "A-Cup: Singapore in Group Three" The Straits Times, 19 September 1978, Page 24 "Champions Iran out of Asian Cup final round" The Straits Times, 25 May 1979, Page 35