1980 AFC Asian Cup qualification

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 == * 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 == == 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 == There were 91 goals scored in 31 matches, for an average of 2.94 goals per match. 5 goals 4 goals 3 goals 2 goals 1 goal == 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