Although Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam are neighbours, coordinating such an event across borders inevitably creates problems -- four organising committees, four media centres, as well as the extra costs.

Add into the fray a coup in Thailand, and raising awareness of the tournament in countries where English Premier League football reigns supreme, and the Asian Football Confederation has its work cut out.

But bin Hammam is quick to dispel any doubts, happy with what he has seen eight months away from the showpiece event.

"Of course a single host is always easier to manage but we feel that we are making good progress with the logistics for the coming event," he told AFP, singling out Indonesia and Vietnam for particular praise.

"As far as Indonesia and Vietnam are concerned, we are very satisfied. The two organizing committees have, to date, fulfilled their commitments towards the AFC," he said.

"As far as Malaysia is concerned, we are happy about the preparation, but the awareness of the competition is not yet here at the street level.

"But in the last week we have had very positive meetings with the Ministry of Tourism and other government authorities to promote Asian Cup as part of 'Visit Malaysia 2007'.

"We hope that our competition will be top of their agenda and we will continue to work with them here in Malaysia."

The ousting of Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a military-led coup in September, and concern over the readiness of Bangkok's stadium, led to jitters about whether the country would be fit to co-host the event.

But AFC Secretary General Peter Velappan travelled to Bangkok last month to meet key officials, including new Sport and Tourism Minister Suvit Yodmanee, and came away with assurances that everything was on track.

"Of course Thailand has been affected by the change in government," said bin Hammam.

"But they have met the initial deadline of 15 November with a renewed government guarantee, and we have assurances that in January 2007, all promises will be delivered in terms of the facilities improvements.

"So yes, I am confident that everything will run smoothly and that we will be proud of the competition."

The AFC announced in 2003 that the 2007 competition would be held in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region after adopting a rotation policy for hosting the Cup, similar to world football's governing body FIFA.

It will be the first time that ASEAN has held the competition since 1984 when Singapore played host.

Having experienced the challenges that come with having more than one country co-host the event, bin Hammam is no hurry to do it again.

"In future years, we hope to work with a single host if the infrastructure can be provided," he said.

Sixteen teams will go into the hat on December 19 for the draw in Kuala Lumpur, including defending champions Japan, Australia for the first time, and World Cup finalists South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

They will be slotted into four groups of four.

The tournament will open in Bangkok on July 7, with semi-finals played in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur before Jakarta hosts the final on July 29.