Last time Hungary were highly impressive in securing their qualification for the Draft World Cup finals. They join Scotland, Croatia, England, Zambia, Italy and Libya.
You may notice that all the sides mentioned above are from either Europe or Africa. Today we get qualifiers from a third continent, as we start the final round of qualifying in Asia! The 12 qualifiers from Round 1 are split into two groups of six, where the top 2 from each automatically qualify, and the 3rd-placed teams will face a play-off to get into the Intercontinental play-off.
This is the draw, ordered by world ranking:
You may notice that all the sides mentioned above are from either Europe or Africa. Today we get qualifiers from a third continent, as we start the final round of qualifying in Asia! The 12 qualifiers from Round 1 are split into two groups of six, where the top 2 from each automatically qualify, and the 3rd-placed teams will face a play-off to get into the Intercontinental play-off.
This is the draw, ordered by world ranking:
Today we cover Group A, and frankly I have no idea how it's going to go. The six teams all could qualify. If pushed, I would say that Kuwait don't look as strong as they did last year, and that Malaysia might also be a little behind the other teams. Anyway, let's crack on!
Malaysia were made to rue a missed penalty in their opener against Iran, as their opponents came through to win 2-0. Kazakhstan's Antonio Rukavina also missed from the spot - against Kuwait - but he was lucky enough to put away the rebound, and his team went on to win 2-1. The most impressive performance in the opening round of fixtures, however, was South Korea. They were irresistible as they thumped India 4-1.
Malaysia were made to rue a missed penalty in their opener against Iran, as their opponents came through to win 2-0. Kazakhstan's Antonio Rukavina also missed from the spot - against Kuwait - but he was lucky enough to put away the rebound, and his team went on to win 2-1. The most impressive performance in the opening round of fixtures, however, was South Korea. They were irresistible as they thumped India 4-1.
India bounced back in style, levelling their goal difference with a 3-0 defeat of Kazakhstan. Iran crept past Kuwait 1-0 thanks to Ashkan Dejagah. South Korea also kept up their perfect start, coming from a goal down to beat Malaysia 3-1.
Karim Ansarifard scored and missed a penalty as Iran beat India 1-0. The two sides with no points met, and they looked set to both get off the mark as the score was 1-1. However, Kuwait's Eudes Dagoulou picked up a second yellow, and with 10 minutes remaining Malaysia were given a penalty, which was put away by Gonzalo Cabrera for a 2-1 win. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan and South Korea played out a 0-0 stalemate.
Two powerful headers from Tim Cahill helped India to a 3-1 win over Kuwait, whilst there were long-range goals all-round as Kazakhstan beat Malaysia by the same scoreline. South Korea hosted Iran, and it looked like South Korea were heading for their second goalless draw, until the 86th minute when Lee Myung-Joo curled an effort home to win it 1-0 for South Korea and end Iran's perfect start.
Two powerful headers from Tim Cahill helped India to a 3-1 win over Kuwait, whilst there were long-range goals all-round as Kazakhstan beat Malaysia by the same scoreline. South Korea hosted Iran, and it looked like South Korea were heading for their second goalless draw, until the 86th minute when Lee Myung-Joo curled an effort home to win it 1-0 for South Korea and end Iran's perfect start.
Iran and Kazakhstan played out a spectacular match, with both sides going at it. Iran led twice, but Kazakhstan came back twice, and a poor clearance from the otherwise-brilliant Ehsan Hajsafi allowed Rangelo Janga to score his second of the game, and win it 3-2 for Kazakhstan. This should have allowed South Korea to open a gap at the top of the table, but they somehow crashed to a 4-0 defeat to Kuwait, their opponents' first points of the group. It wasn't the only surprise, as Tiago Gomes' volley was enough to earn Malaysia a 1-0 victory over India.
This is the table halfway into the group:
It remains very tight, with the exception of Kuwait. Although going by previous groups (most notably Libya), we certainly can't rule them out just yet.
It looked like South Korea had grasped all three points from their visit to India thanks to Kim Jin-Su's curling free kick in the 88th minute, but five minutes later Ahmed Jahouh struck to grab the equaliser. Kazakhstan missed a 2nd minute penalty against Kuwait, and were made to pay as they went down 2-0. Iran were also wasteful in front of goal, and eventually lost 3-2 to Malaysia in a free-flowing game. These results meant there were only five points between top and bottom now.
It looked like South Korea had grasped all three points from their visit to India thanks to Kim Jin-Su's curling free kick in the 88th minute, but five minutes later Ahmed Jahouh struck to grab the equaliser. Kazakhstan missed a 2nd minute penalty against Kuwait, and were made to pay as they went down 2-0. Iran were also wasteful in front of goal, and eventually lost 3-2 to Malaysia in a free-flowing game. These results meant there were only five points between top and bottom now.
The top three may all have dropped points in the last round, but they each got back to business with a win. Iran flew past Kuwait 3-0, whilst South Korea beat Malaysia 3-1. Kazakhstan beat India 1-0 in the strangest possible way - a 25-yard backpass from India's former West Brom man Gianni Zuiverloon going past his goalkeeper Fran Dorronsoro and into the bottom corner.
Kuwait made it three wins in four as they beat Malaysia 2-0. South Korea nearly blew a 2-0 lead against Kazakhstan, having Yun Yeong-Seon sent off in the 89th minute and conceding in the 94th, but they held on for a 2-1 victory. Meanwhile, Iran battled hard to come back twice and claim a 2-2 draw from their visit to India.
South Korea have been very hard to beat, and as a result now stand one victory from qualification. Iran present a firm obstacle in their way... or at least, they should have. In the end, a brace from Tiago Marques lead South Korea to a very easy 3-0 win, and with it confirmation that they are the first Asian side to make this year's DWC! This result gave Kazakhstan the chance to move into second spot, and they took it firmly with a comfortable 3-0 win against Malaysia, a brace for Janga complemented by a goal for Andrey Arshavin. This left Kuwait and India to do battle, with an Indian win eliminating Kuwait, and anything else eliminating India. Despite the match being fairly even, India ruthlessly took their chances, and claimed an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Here is the table with one round of matches to go:
The crucial match sees Kazakhstan host Iran, with a win for the visitors securing their qualification. Any other result not only sees Kazakhstan through, but it also opens the door for India, who can leapfrog into the play-off spot if they beat Malaysia.
India vs Malaysia
A win is necessary for India, who have impressed this DWC campaign, but are on the verge of falling a bit short. Disaster struck in the 37th minute as centre-back Johnny Acosta missed a simple header, allowing Malaysian striker Fernando Márquez to fire past a static Dorronsoro. India had quite a few chances, and eventually got level as Manu Lanzarote fired in, but it proved too little too late, and a 1-1 draw confirmed India's elimination.
Kazakhstan vs Iran
So it's down to these two, who are both guaranteed at least a play-off berth, but who will both want full qualification. This was unsurprisingly a cagey affair, and first blood went to Kazakhstan when Arshavin's corner was headed home by Pedro Henrique. It got worse for Iran when they lost Markus Neumayr to a second yellow in the second half, but they did get level when Ansarifard poked home. It wasn't enough though, and just like India, Iran couldn't prevent a 1-1 draw. Which means Kazakhstan qualify!
India vs Malaysia
A win is necessary for India, who have impressed this DWC campaign, but are on the verge of falling a bit short. Disaster struck in the 37th minute as centre-back Johnny Acosta missed a simple header, allowing Malaysian striker Fernando Márquez to fire past a static Dorronsoro. India had quite a few chances, and eventually got level as Manu Lanzarote fired in, but it proved too little too late, and a 1-1 draw confirmed India's elimination.
Kazakhstan vs Iran
So it's down to these two, who are both guaranteed at least a play-off berth, but who will both want full qualification. This was unsurprisingly a cagey affair, and first blood went to Kazakhstan when Arshavin's corner was headed home by Pedro Henrique. It got worse for Iran when they lost Markus Neumayr to a second yellow in the second half, but they did get level when Ansarifard poked home. It wasn't enough though, and just like India, Iran couldn't prevent a 1-1 draw. Which means Kazakhstan qualify!
In the group's other game, South Korea came from behind to beat Kuwait 2-1 and consign their opponents to bottom of the table. Speaking of which, this is said table:
Kazakhstan will be considering their luck - last year to equalise the numbers I moved them into Asia (where - of course - the country actually is), and it has paid off with an inaugural DWC appearance! Of course, they were part of the Central Asia side which did make the finals two years ago, but this is a much bigger achievement. Iran will go into the play-offs looking to make the Intercontinental play-off.
Next time we go straight back to Europe to see who qualifies from Group F there. The first DWC winners Germany are top seeds in that group, can Bulgaria pull off a shock?
Next time we go straight back to Europe to see who qualifies from Group F there. The first DWC winners Germany are top seeds in that group, can Bulgaria pull off a shock?