We're really firing through qualification now. France became the 12th team to secure their passage to the Draft World Cup finals, and today two more Asian teams will do the same.
This is how the final round of qualifying has gone so far:
This is how the final round of qualifying has gone so far:
South Korea and Iran are already through, whilst Iran will play the third-placed team in today's group to see who represents Asia at the Intercontinental play-offs.
I've really been looking forward to this group. China have long been the outstanding side in Asian qualifying, but they struggled quite a lot in Round 1, finishing second behind the now-eliminated India. Both Thailand and Saudi Arabia joined China in qualifying for last year's tournament, whilst last year Uzbekistan made the play-offs. Meanwhile, Japan are very strong this year, due to the addition of J-League teams. Bahrain shocked everyone to qualify from Round 1, but this may be a stretch too far for them.
Fernando Torres isn't known for his heading, but two of them put Japan 2-0 over Saudi Arabia. Bafétimbi Gomis halved the deficit, but Torres got his hat-trick by putting away the rebound to his own penalty. Gomis scored again, but Japan hung on for a 3-2 win. Thailand laboured to a 2-2 home draw with Bahrain, whilst China were much more comfortable as they beat Uzbekistan 4-1.
I've really been looking forward to this group. China have long been the outstanding side in Asian qualifying, but they struggled quite a lot in Round 1, finishing second behind the now-eliminated India. Both Thailand and Saudi Arabia joined China in qualifying for last year's tournament, whilst last year Uzbekistan made the play-offs. Meanwhile, Japan are very strong this year, due to the addition of J-League teams. Bahrain shocked everyone to qualify from Round 1, but this may be a stretch too far for them.
Fernando Torres isn't known for his heading, but two of them put Japan 2-0 over Saudi Arabia. Bafétimbi Gomis halved the deficit, but Torres got his hat-trick by putting away the rebound to his own penalty. Gomis scored again, but Japan hung on for a 3-2 win. Thailand laboured to a 2-2 home draw with Bahrain, whilst China were much more comfortable as they beat Uzbekistan 4-1.
Japan and China played out a fascinating tactical battle which looked to be heading for a scoreless draw until the 76th minute when China's Hulk perfectly tucked away a volley to earn his side the win. Uzbekistan also won by a single goal, Kakha Makharadze drilling in a low shot to beat Bahrain. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia ensured every team had at least a point as they beat Thailand 2-0.
Hulk set up Cédric Bakambu for two goals, which proved enough to give China a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia. Uzbekistan lead Thailand by a single goal, but Jajá Coelho equalised before Darko Tasevski fired Thailand ahead. Tasevski then picked up a red card, but Diogo struck to seal a 3-1 win. Elsewhere, Japan could only draw 0-0 with Bahrain.
Despite going down to 10 men late in the game, Bahrain hung on for another 0-0 draw, this time a highly impressive one against China. Gomis struck twice to fire Saudi Arabia to a comeback 2-1 win over Uzbekistan. Torres also scored twice, putting Japan 2-0 up on Thailand. However, they couldn't hold on, and eventually drew 2-2.
Jo's powerful header looked like it might be enough to earn Japan victory over Uzbekistan. But in the 87th minute Uzbekistan were awarded a penalty. Marko Simic, who had scored two fine free kicks so far, took it - but it was saved! Japan were able to claim their first win since their opening match as a result. Hulk also missed a penalty as China played Thailand, but his side still came through 2-0 victors. Meanwhile, an outrageous early goal from Mahmood Abbas put Bahrain ahead against Saudi Arabia, who could only draw 1-1 despite dominating the rest of the game.
Jo's powerful header looked like it might be enough to earn Japan victory over Uzbekistan. But in the 87th minute Uzbekistan were awarded a penalty. Marko Simic, who had scored two fine free kicks so far, took it - but it was saved! Japan were able to claim their first win since their opening match as a result. Hulk also missed a penalty as China played Thailand, but his side still came through 2-0 victors. Meanwhile, an outrageous early goal from Mahmood Abbas put Bahrain ahead against Saudi Arabia, who could only draw 1-1 despite dominating the rest of the game.
It's been very scrappy, this is the table so far:
China look good to secure qualification for their third DWC, but after that it looks like anyone could still make it.
Thailand's Diogo opened the scoring just 68 seconds their match with Bahrain, and it proved to be the only goal as Bahrain's little unbeaten run ended. China scored from two free kicks to beat Uzbekistan 2-0, but the big match saw Japan visit Saudi Arabia. André Carrillo marked his first appearance of the group by putting Saudi Arabia ahead, a lead which Giuliano doubled. It ended 2-0 to Saudi Arabia, and it could have been three had Christian Ramos not missed a late penalty.
Thailand's Diogo opened the scoring just 68 seconds their match with Bahrain, and it proved to be the only goal as Bahrain's little unbeaten run ended. China scored from two free kicks to beat Uzbekistan 2-0, but the big match saw Japan visit Saudi Arabia. André Carrillo marked his first appearance of the group by putting Saudi Arabia ahead, a lead which Giuliano doubled. It ended 2-0 to Saudi Arabia, and it could have been three had Christian Ramos not missed a late penalty.
Ramos made up for that penalty miss by scoring the opening goal against Thailand, as Saudi Arabia claimed a 3-1 victory. This meant that China could - incredibly - secure qualification in only their seventh game. They needed a win against Japan, and quickfire goals from Hulk and Paulinho looked to have set them up for victory. However, Jo pulled one back, and in the 82nd minute a free kick fell to Masato Morishige to blast home and earn a 2-2 draw for Japan. Elsewhere, Uzbekistan beat Bahrain 2-0 to swap places with their opponents in the table.
China's second attempt at qualification saw them face Saudi Arabia, but their opponents were in no mood for favours, and came away with a highly impressive 3-0 win that didn't really reflect an even match. Japan took their time, but eventually overcame Bahrain 2-0, whilst Thailand found Uzbekistan to be very accommodating as they won 3-0.
Surely China would make it through at the third attempt, this time against Bahrain? Well, no - two goalkeeping errors from Yan Junling put Bahrain 2-0 up, and China could only fight back for a 2-2 draw thanks to a late Hulk penalty. China were not the only team who could qualify in this round, as Saudi Arabia just needed to beat Uzbekistan to get through, and they thoroughly outclassed their opponents to seal a fantastic 5-1 win, and confirm that they have qualified for their second DWC! The group's other game saw Japan host Thailand in a key battle, and it was Japan who claimed a 2-0 victory that eliminated their opponents.
China's second attempt at qualification saw them face Saudi Arabia, but their opponents were in no mood for favours, and came away with a highly impressive 3-0 win that didn't really reflect an even match. Japan took their time, but eventually overcame Bahrain 2-0, whilst Thailand found Uzbekistan to be very accommodating as they won 3-0.
Surely China would make it through at the third attempt, this time against Bahrain? Well, no - two goalkeeping errors from Yan Junling put Bahrain 2-0 up, and China could only fight back for a 2-2 draw thanks to a late Hulk penalty. China were not the only team who could qualify in this round, as Saudi Arabia just needed to beat Uzbekistan to get through, and they thoroughly outclassed their opponents to seal a fantastic 5-1 win, and confirm that they have qualified for their second DWC! The group's other game saw Japan host Thailand in a key battle, and it was Japan who claimed a 2-0 victory that eliminated their opponents.
With one game to go, this is the table:
So it's all down to the China - Japan battle for the second qualification spot. China just need a point in their game against Thailand. If they slip up, then Japan need to beat Uzbekistan to have any hope of second place.
Thailand vs China
China have been exhibiting the most blatant case of clincher's disease seen in the DWC. Their fourth attempt at qualification isn't straightforward, as Thailand are a handy team. A beautiful curling strike from Hulk settled Chinese nerves, as they lead 1-0 at the break. Bakambu doubled the lead, before another couple from Hulk earned him the match ball and put the result well beyond doubt. Yannick Carrasco added a penalty, as a 5-0 win mean China finally seal victory, and in some style.
Thailand vs China
China have been exhibiting the most blatant case of clincher's disease seen in the DWC. Their fourth attempt at qualification isn't straightforward, as Thailand are a handy team. A beautiful curling strike from Hulk settled Chinese nerves, as they lead 1-0 at the break. Bakambu doubled the lead, before another couple from Hulk earned him the match ball and put the result well beyond doubt. Yannick Carrasco added a penalty, as a 5-0 win mean China finally seal victory, and in some style.
This made the Japan match irrelevant, which will be a relief as they struggled to a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia beat Bahrain 2-0 to ensure they deservedly win the group following five successive wins.
Final table
Final table
So, unlike the Group A, this group will provide no new faces at this year's DWC. Saudi Arabia will be wanting to put in a much better performance than last year, where their 7-0 defeat to France marked the biggest margin of victory in any DWC finals game. China went on a brilliant run to the semi-finals, but they haven't looked at the same level this year. Japan would love to join them in the finals, but they have a long way to go yet - they will have to beat Iran in a two-legged play-off, then get through the Intercontinental play-off.
Next time, we see how the penultimate group in Africa goes, where DR Congo and Egypt will both be expecting to qualify - but only one can.
Next time, we see how the penultimate group in Africa goes, where DR Congo and Egypt will both be expecting to qualify - but only one can.