As the matches get underway, what better place to start than with a clash between the group’s top two seeds? Kazakhstan hosted Tajikistan heavy favourites with the bookmakers, but they can’t find a way through, and a sucker-punch arrives in the final minute when Kazakhstan’s Stamenkovic mis-controls a ball in the box, and Fathullo Fathulloev (great name) prods in the winning goal. Mouchid Ly was handy for South Asia last year, and his finish earned Bangladesh a 1-1 draw with Hong Kong. Sri Lanka got an early goal against Cambodia, but a red card halfway through the first half allowed Cambodia back into the game as they claimed a 2-1 win. The most impressive win of the opening round came as Kuwait thrashed Afghanistan 7-1, exploiting their opponents’ very weak back line.
Afghanistan appear to be in for a tough time, and a 3-1 home defeat to Cambodia doesn’t change that impression. That’s two wins for Cambodia, but the sides they’ve beaten have both been beaten 7-1 elsewhere – Sri Lanka getting thumped by Bangladesh as Leonel Saint-Preux grabbed a hat-trick. Kuwait looked set to claim another good win, going 3-1 up on Tajikistan. However, they went down to 10 men and Tajikistan pulled one back, making for a nervy final few minutes, but Kuwait held on for a 3-2 victory. Kazakhstan were cruising at 2-0 up against Hong Kong, Andrei Arshavin (yes, him) with both assists. But again they were undone by late goals as Hong Kong struck twice in the final 10 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw.
Bangladesh continued this with a 3-1 win over Afghanistan to make it 10 points from 12, but they couldn’t usurp Kuwait at the top of the table as they beat Sri Lanka 4-0. Hong Kong claim their third draw, once again coming back late with a 82nd-minute penalty ensuring a 1-1 draw with Tajikistan. Cambodia battled hard against Kazakhstan, but ultimately lost 3-1.
The group’s three cricketing nations suffered cricket scores in the next round. Bangladesh were 1-1 with Kazakhstan after 3 minutes, but that was the high point as they lost 5-1. It was even worse for Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, who lost 9-0 to Hong Kong and 7-1 to Tajikistan respectively. Kuwait weren’t quite as dominant, but they still won comfortably against Cambodia, 4-2 the score.
Kuwait faced their biggest challenge yet to their perfect record as they hosted Kazakhstan. Amine Chermiti gave Kuwait the lead, but Kazakhstan scored twice in the final 20 minutes to earn a 2-1 win and open up the group. From the top to the bottom as point-less Afghanistan and Sri Lanka met, and Sri Lanka justified their low seeding as they lost 6-2. Elsewhere, Hong Kong fought off a brave Cambodian comeback as they won 3-2, whilst Tajikistan could only have themselves to blame as they gave away two penalties as they lost 2-1 to Bangladesh. It means that at the halfway stage the group looks like this:
Would this pressure tell on Kuwait? Not really, they crushed Afghanistan 9-0, with Yousef Nasser getting five and missing a penalty. Cambodia also racked up the goals as they beat Sri Lanka 7-1. Tajikistan once again frustrated Kazakhstan, who were in control of their clash, but could only draw 1-1. This meant Hong Kong and Bangladesh’s match gave both sides a good chance to close the gap to the qualification spaces, and in a very tight game the only goal came from Bangladesh’s Saint-Preux.
Bangladesh haven’t given up yet, though, as they beat Afghanistan 6-0 thanks to a hat-trick from centre-back Rafa. However, they can’t close the gap as Kazakhstan recover from conceding early to beat Cambodia 4-1. Kuwait showed why they appear set to win this group as they eviscerate Sri Lanka, 13-0 a new record for DWC qualifying (I think...). Meanwhile, Tajikistan and Hong Kong, now in their own wilderness of mid-table, played out an entertaining 3-3 draw.
The big match in the group came next, as Bangladesh hosted Kazakhstan, desperately needing a win to stay in the fight. Gohou and Tomasov struck to put Kazakhstan 2-0 up at the break, but Ly pulled one back to set up a tight final half hour. Kazakhstan held strong, and their 2-1 win virtually secured their qualification. It also confirmed Kuwait as qualifiers to the next round, and they celebrated with a 5-1 win over Cambodia. Meanwhile, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka suffered their usual heavy defeats, losing 8-2 and 3-0 to Hong Kong and Tajikistan respectively.
Kazakhstan’s win over Bangladesh had put Kuwait through, and Kuwait return the favour, as their 4-1 win over Bangladesh ensured Kazakhstan would qualify; it also confirmed Kuwait as group winners. Kazakhstan didn’t need the help though, as their own 4-1 win, over Afghanistan, would have done the job. Hong Kong once again racked up a big win as they put 7 unanswered goals past Sri Lanka, whilst Cambodia claimed a 2-1 win over Tajikistan.
Final standing
Highest average ratings: Fahad Al-Enezi (KUW) 8.64; Nasser (KUW) 8.54; Chermiti (KUW) 8.14
Next time
That’s another two strong-looking sides through to the next round of Asian qualifying. We return to Europe, meaning we’ll see someone join Poland in qualifying for the DWC finals. After France’s dramatic coq-up, Spain will be feeling nervous.