After three episodes featuring two-legged knockout ties, we start our first group stages today! Specifically, we are beginning Asian first round qualifying. All 48 teams on the continent are split across six groups of eight, with the top two progressing to the second round. This is how the draw went:
If you followed last year's DWC, you may remember that this round of qualifying led to some utter carnage, including the largest score ever seen in the DWC.
Today we are following Groups A & B, so let's start, sensibly, with Group A:
Group A (South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Bahrain, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, East Timor, Guam)
You would expect the top two seeds (who have both been a play-off away from a DWC finals) to be fairly comfortable in this group, although there is a small chance someone else can spoil the party. Interestingly, Indonesia and Singapore were in the same group in the first-ever DWC qualifying group, two years ago.
South Korea certainly made light work of the group, winning every match to secure qualification early on. However, an early 3-0 defeat to Bahrain set the tone for a difficult campaign for Indonesia, who got sucked into a fierce three-way battle with Bahrain and Syria for the other qualification spot. The remaining four teams were left to carve out their own mini-league, with poor Guam failing to record a point.
Coming into the final few games, Bahrain's 3-1 win over Syria put them in the best position for qualification, although a decent run by Indonesia put them in a decent position to catch them. However, the penultimate round of games saw Syria see off Indonesia 3-0, leaving all three teams in play going into the final round of games. Below is a slideshow of some of the best goals of the group thus far.
Today we are following Groups A & B, so let's start, sensibly, with Group A:
Group A (South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Bahrain, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, East Timor, Guam)
You would expect the top two seeds (who have both been a play-off away from a DWC finals) to be fairly comfortable in this group, although there is a small chance someone else can spoil the party. Interestingly, Indonesia and Singapore were in the same group in the first-ever DWC qualifying group, two years ago.
South Korea certainly made light work of the group, winning every match to secure qualification early on. However, an early 3-0 defeat to Bahrain set the tone for a difficult campaign for Indonesia, who got sucked into a fierce three-way battle with Bahrain and Syria for the other qualification spot. The remaining four teams were left to carve out their own mini-league, with poor Guam failing to record a point.
Coming into the final few games, Bahrain's 3-1 win over Syria put them in the best position for qualification, although a decent run by Indonesia put them in a decent position to catch them. However, the penultimate round of games saw Syria see off Indonesia 3-0, leaving all three teams in play going into the final round of games. Below is a slideshow of some of the best goals of the group thus far.
And here is the table with one match left to play:
The very bad news for Indonesia is that they have to beat South Korea in their final game to have any chance of qualification. The bad news for Syria is that whilst they should beat Singapore, Bahrain play Guam in their final game, meaning they are virtually assured of qualification.
Still, nothing is ever certain in football, so let's see what happens.
Indonesia vs South Korea
The expected became inevitable as South Korea stormed into a 2-0 lead, Kim Jin-Su and former Middlesbrough man Lee Dong-Gook on target. However, Indonesia were actually the better team, and Ezechiel N'Douassel headed a goal back. He got his second to level the tie, but it was in added time and a 2-2 draw confirmed Indonesia's elimination and South Korea's unbeaten record.
Singapore vs Syria
Singapore came into this group as third seeds, so their poor position must be seen as a disappointment. Syria, meanwhile, had no real expectation of qualification, so even if they falter at the last they can be proud. They claimed a 2-0 win through Raja Rafe and Mo Babouli goals, to put pressure on Bahrain...
Guam vs Bahrain
Poor old Guam... battered in this group, and almost certain to leave with no points. Bahrain, meanwhile, just have this game to win in order to secure a surprise qualification. And it looked like a big win was likely when Mohamed Hussain put them ahead from the spot in the 35th minute. However, Guam held firm, and Bahrain failed to add to their lead. However, Guam never had any goal threat of their own, and a nervy 1-0 secured Bahrain's progress!
So here is the final table:
Still, nothing is ever certain in football, so let's see what happens.
Indonesia vs South Korea
The expected became inevitable as South Korea stormed into a 2-0 lead, Kim Jin-Su and former Middlesbrough man Lee Dong-Gook on target. However, Indonesia were actually the better team, and Ezechiel N'Douassel headed a goal back. He got his second to level the tie, but it was in added time and a 2-2 draw confirmed Indonesia's elimination and South Korea's unbeaten record.
Singapore vs Syria
Singapore came into this group as third seeds, so their poor position must be seen as a disappointment. Syria, meanwhile, had no real expectation of qualification, so even if they falter at the last they can be proud. They claimed a 2-0 win through Raja Rafe and Mo Babouli goals, to put pressure on Bahrain...
Guam vs Bahrain
Poor old Guam... battered in this group, and almost certain to leave with no points. Bahrain, meanwhile, just have this game to win in order to secure a surprise qualification. And it looked like a big win was likely when Mohamed Hussain put them ahead from the spot in the 35th minute. However, Guam held firm, and Bahrain failed to add to their lead. However, Guam never had any goal threat of their own, and a nervy 1-0 secured Bahrain's progress!
So here is the final table:
Group B (Uzbekistan, Iran, Qatar, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Brunei, Northern Mariana Islands)
Despite being third-ranked in this group, the expectation has to be that Qatar will find a way to progress - as star man Xavi has been joined by other big names Gabi, Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o and Nigel de Jong. Uzbekistan were surprisingly close to qualification last time, but may well be edged out by an Iranian side containing not one, but two ex-Fulham players (Andranik Teymourian and Ashkan Dejagah).
An early draw against Maldives set some Qatari alarm bells ringing, and they began to chime louder as their team struggled to low-scoring wins as Iran and Uzbekistan flew out of the blocks. This became a full-blown crisis as defeats to their two rivals left Qatar in fourth, behind Maldives. Changing Eto'o for Youssef Al Arabi up front helped, as he began notching goals as Qatari slowly began a comeback, aiming to catch Uzbekistan who had been thumped 7-1 by Iran.
However, Iran and Uzbekistan failed to drop points against the rest of the group, and when Qatar faced Iran a second time they needed a win to keep their tiny hopes alive. Iran stormed 2-0 up, but a Dejagah red card was followed by two Al Arabi strikes as Qatar drew level. There was to be no winner, alas, and the 2-2 draw meant that Qatar were eliminated as Iran and Uzbekistan sealed their progress. Uzbekistan's 2-0 win over Qatar rubbed salt into the wounds and meant they went into the final round of fixtures with a chance to catch Iran at the top of the table.
Despite being third-ranked in this group, the expectation has to be that Qatar will find a way to progress - as star man Xavi has been joined by other big names Gabi, Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o and Nigel de Jong. Uzbekistan were surprisingly close to qualification last time, but may well be edged out by an Iranian side containing not one, but two ex-Fulham players (Andranik Teymourian and Ashkan Dejagah).
An early draw against Maldives set some Qatari alarm bells ringing, and they began to chime louder as their team struggled to low-scoring wins as Iran and Uzbekistan flew out of the blocks. This became a full-blown crisis as defeats to their two rivals left Qatar in fourth, behind Maldives. Changing Eto'o for Youssef Al Arabi up front helped, as he began notching goals as Qatari slowly began a comeback, aiming to catch Uzbekistan who had been thumped 7-1 by Iran.
However, Iran and Uzbekistan failed to drop points against the rest of the group, and when Qatar faced Iran a second time they needed a win to keep their tiny hopes alive. Iran stormed 2-0 up, but a Dejagah red card was followed by two Al Arabi strikes as Qatar drew level. There was to be no winner, alas, and the 2-2 draw meant that Qatar were eliminated as Iran and Uzbekistan sealed their progress. Uzbekistan's 2-0 win over Qatar rubbed salt into the wounds and meant they went into the final round of fixtures with a chance to catch Iran at the top of the table.
Crucially, Uzbekistan host Iran in their final game, whilst the remaining six sides play out dead rubbers.
Uzbekistan vs Iran
Iran deserve their top spot in the group, as they have blown away the competition generally, particularly spurred on by 22 goals from Karim Ansarifard, and a sublime series of free kick goals and assists from LB Ehsan Hajsafi. Mohsen Mosalman put Iran ahead, but they were soon down to 10 men as Ansarifard spoiled a great campaign with two yellows in the first 25 minutes. However, Iran continued to shine and they eventually led 3-0.
That wasn't it, however, and Uzbeki strikers Esmael Goncalves and Sardor Rashidov set each other up for goals to make it 3-2. As the final minute came by, Goncalves struck again, but the final score of 3-3 was enough to ensure Iran top the group.
Elsewhere, Northern Mariana Island's squad is so poor, their third-choice CB is their second-choice keeper. He had to start as his side lost 2-0 to Bangladesh. NMI should at least reflect that their biggest loss here - a whopping 11-0 to Uzbekistan - is still less than their record 19-2 loss to Saudi Arabia last year. Qatar racked up 7 against Brunei, including 3 for Al Arabi, taking his tally to 15 in 7 starts. Finally, a last-minute penalty from Ghana international Jonathan Quartey earned Maldives a 2-1 win over Mongolia.
This all leads to this final table:
Uzbekistan vs Iran
Iran deserve their top spot in the group, as they have blown away the competition generally, particularly spurred on by 22 goals from Karim Ansarifard, and a sublime series of free kick goals and assists from LB Ehsan Hajsafi. Mohsen Mosalman put Iran ahead, but they were soon down to 10 men as Ansarifard spoiled a great campaign with two yellows in the first 25 minutes. However, Iran continued to shine and they eventually led 3-0.
That wasn't it, however, and Uzbeki strikers Esmael Goncalves and Sardor Rashidov set each other up for goals to make it 3-2. As the final minute came by, Goncalves struck again, but the final score of 3-3 was enough to ensure Iran top the group.
Elsewhere, Northern Mariana Island's squad is so poor, their third-choice CB is their second-choice keeper. He had to start as his side lost 2-0 to Bangladesh. NMI should at least reflect that their biggest loss here - a whopping 11-0 to Uzbekistan - is still less than their record 19-2 loss to Saudi Arabia last year. Qatar racked up 7 against Brunei, including 3 for Al Arabi, taking his tally to 15 in 7 starts. Finally, a last-minute penalty from Ghana international Jonathan Quartey earned Maldives a 2-1 win over Mongolia.
This all leads to this final table:
That was a lot of action! South Korea, Bahrain, Iran and Uzbekistan will be back much later in the second round of Asian qualifying, but next time we see the initial action in South America as the giant qualifying group there gets underway!