With a record 6 teams, Asia resets goals for World Cup
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Australia’s win over Peru within the intercontinental playoffs this week assured an unprecedented six groups from the Asian confederation on the World Cup, giving the continent a possibility to repeat the success of 2002 when it first staged soccer’s marquee occasion.
South Korea reached the semifinals and Japan made it to the Spherical of 16 after they co-hosted the event in 2002, however Asia has under-performed in each version since.
Within the first World Cup within the Center East, Europe, with 13, would be the solely continent with extra groups represented.
Qatar’s internet hosting of the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 event has added to Asia’s regular computerized 4 qualification spots crammed by Saudi Arabia, Japan, Iran and South Korea.
“That is certainly Asia’s time and there’s no higher approach to underline this celebration than with the qualification of a report six groups on the FIFA World Cup for the primary time in our historical past,” Asian Soccer Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa stated. He’s hoping 2022 will present a marked enchancment from Asia’s efficiency in 2018.
With simply over 5 months to go, indicators are blended.
Japan was shaping up as the most effective hope. A slender 1-0 loss at residence to Brazil on June 6 was sandwiched between 4-1 victories over Paraguay and Ghana. On Tuesday, nevertheless, Hajime Moriyasu’s males misplaced 3-0 at residence to Tunisia.
“The end result was disappointing,” Moriyasu stated, however he added that the friendlies had given him a possibility to strive completely different formations. “This may assist sooner or later and I’ll use this as a springboard to enhance.”
Japan begins and ends Group E in opposition to Germany and Spain with the center sport in opposition to Costa Rica, which edged New Zealand on Tuesday for the final of the 32 spots within the draw for Qatar.
Saudi Arabia completed above Japan and Australia in qualifying however misplaced earlier this month to Colombia and Venezuela, two groups that didn’t qualify from South America. It leaves Saudi Arabia’s opening Group C sport in opposition to Argentina trying ominous.
“The gamers are drained after an extended season and the coach (Herve Renard) has been attempting completely different methods and we hope to get the profit from that,” Saudi Arabia’s federation president Yasser Al-Mishael stated. The Saudis plan to have six or seven extra friendlies. “September’s coaching camp will probably be centered on correcting errors and getting ready for the World Cup.”
Iran has to face England, america and Wales in Group B, however the crew’s solely sport since securing qualification was Algeria in Doha on Monday and resulted in a 2-1 defeat. The crew from Qatar, which has by no means appeared on the World Cup earlier than, has not seen a lot worldwide motion in any respect.
The Australians have been up and down. After profitable 11 straight qualifying video games within the second spherical and begin of the third spherical of Asian qualifying, the Socceroos registered only one victory in seven video games to complete third of their group.
The Socceroos beat United Arab Emirates 2-1 in an Asian playoff final week. Six days later on the similar stadium in Qatar on Monday, the Socceroos certified for a fifth straight World Cup after edging Peru, the fifth-place crew in South America, 5-4 on penalties.
The reward is a spot in Group D and video games in opposition to defending champion France, Tunisia and Denmark.
South Korea, showing at a tenth successive World Cup, began its buildup with a heavy 5-1 loss to Brazil in Seoul on June 2. Outcomes improved because the Taeguk Warriors beat Chile 2-0, drew 2-2 with Paraguay after which defeated Egypt 4-1.
The South Koreans, who beat Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain on a outstanding run to the semifinals at residence in 2002, will probably be enjoying in Group H in opposition to Uruguay, Portugal and Ghana in Qatar.
“The most important constructive to take is how the gamers reacted in opposition to Chile after the defeat in opposition to Brazil and the way they fought again from 2-0 down in opposition to Paraguay,“ South Korea coach Paulo Bento stated. ”We nonetheless have work to do.”
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