Singapore were fairly poor last time round, and the realistic challengers to the top two might be North Korea, who made up the majority of last year’s East Asia side. The remaining sides appear unlikely to mount a serious challenge, but you never know.
The group’s top two seeds met in Kolkata, and India took a 3rd-minute lead through Keane’s penalty. Just before the break Juanmi’s Callejon’s volley was deflected in to equalise, and in the second half Saudi Arabia pulled away to win 3-1. Brunei and North Korea both claimed good 2-1 away victories over Chinese Taipei and Palestine respectively. The most impressive result of the round was Singapore’s 5-0 win over Northern Mariana Islands (hereafter referred to as NMI for my own sanity).
NMI proved they were an early contender for the group’s wooden spoon as they followed that result up with a 6-0 loss to Palestine, for whom Fahed Attal grabbed four goals. Taipei didn’t help their chances against Saudi Arabia by getting a 12th-minute red card, and they too lost 6-0. Singapore claimed a 4-0 win over Brunei, meaning that India’s 2-0 win over North Korea was the tightest match of the round.
Singapore appeared set for another good result when they went 2-0 up against Palestine in 15 minutes, but Attal continued his hot streak to land a great hat-trick, for a 3-2 Palestinian win. Saudi Arabia continued impressively with a 4-0 win over Brunei, whilst North Korea cruised to a 4-1 win over Taipei. India had a lot of fun against NMI, Berbatov claiming four of the goals in a 10-0 mauling.
Saudi Arabia bounced back with a 6-1 win over Palestine (Jebor hat-trick), whilst India won by the same scoreline against Taipei (Gregory Nelson hat-trick). Both sides were happy to see Singapore drop two points in North Korea with a 1-1 draw, although it could have been all three had Yu-Song not missed a late penalty. Meanwhile, Brunei could only beat NMI by a measly 7-2.
India hosted North Korea, desperately needing to restart their qualification push. However, they were held to a 1-1 draw after Yu-Song cancelled out Manu Lanzarote’s opener. The top two spaces drifted further away as Saudi Arabia and Singapore both won 5-0, against Taipei and Brunei respectively. 5-0 was also the score as Palestine beat NMI.
With the top four playing the bottom four, there were few shocks in the next round of matches. North Korea beat Taipei 5-0 (Choe Ju-Song hat-trick), whilst Saudi Arabia beat Brunei 4-1. Berbatov and Keane both bagged hat-tricks as India beat NMI 11-0, and Singapore had the toughest time, only beating Palestine 2-0.
Saudi Arabia travelled to NMI next, could they beat their own record? They could not, as they only won 9-0. Pathetic. Callejon claimed a paltry four goals from the match. Was he even trying? That terrible result for Saudi Arabia does confirm their qualification, however. Keane also bagged four goals as he led India to a 4-1 away win over Palestine. This didn’t close the gap to Singapore, however, as they won 4-0 over Taipei. Meanwhile, North Korea had to come back from behind to crawl past Brunei 2-1.
And so, it comes down to the final match of the season, with India and Singapore tied on points (goal difference 13 in India’s favour), and North Korea just behind. Singapore host North Korea, and both teams give it everything. Ramazotti gives Singapore a 33rd-minute lead, but North Korea equalise in freakish fashion as Hyon-Uk’s cross floats over the keeper and in. In the 71st minute North Korea have a penalty, but Sunny is able to parry Yu-Song’s tame effort. It proves crucial, as the game ends 1-1 and North Korea are eliminated. Will Singapore join them? India just have to draw against Taipei, and two goals in the opening 10 minutes eases them along to a 4-2 win that sees them confirm their qualification. Saudi Arabia finish an excellent group for them in slightly muted fashion, only drawing 1-1 away to Palestine. Meanwhile, NMI *double takes* win their final match! They beat Brunei 3-1 to give this group one last weird twist.
Highest average ratings: Victor Ayala (KSA) 8.29; Keane (IND) 8.13; Lanzarote (IND) 8.05
Next time
What another thrilling group in Asian qualifying. Singapore probably can’t believe how they let that slip, whilst Robbie Keane led India to a thrilling late escape. And Northern Mariana Islands won a game! Wow. Anyway, next time it’s the final instalment of the second round of African qualifying.