Asian World Cup Draw: Initial Thoughts
The big guns of Asia have finally been brought out to play in the battle to reach the 2010 World Cup and there are more than a few interesting match ups.
zoom - galleria While the top five seeds – Australia, South Korea, Japan, Iran and South Korea – have yet to take their first steps on the path to South Africa, their continental companions have been busy completing the first two stage which means that there are only 20 contenders for the 4.5 spots on offer.
Those 20 hopefuls have been split into five groups of four. The top two from each group will progress to the fourth round.
Group 1 – Australia, Iraq, China and Qatar.
Australia may have been the top seed but Asia’s new boys have been drawn in what is clearly the Group of Death.
Asian Cup winners Iraq were the ones from the third group of seeds that the big five wanted to avoid. The Socceroos lost 3-1 to the West Asians during the competition. Revenge would be sweet but will not be easy.
China are also tough opponents but will be dismayed about their luck. The Middle Kingdom crashed out in the first round of the Asian Cup and at the same stage during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup and are desperate not to fail again.
Qatar are the best of the lowest seeds. Jorge Fossati's team will be difficult to defeat in Doha and with their naturalised South Americans, will be capable of taking points from all their opponents.
Group 2 - Japan, Bahrain, Oman, Thailand
Japan will not be displeased with a draw that will bring back pleasant memories of the 2004 Asian Cup.
The East Asians faced, and defeated, all of their Group 2 opponents on their way to the continental title in 2004.
Bahrain just missed out on the 2006 World Cup and after a disappointing Asian Cup in the summer are likely to be battling with Oman for second spot in the second group.
That is not a given however as the tournament demonstrated that standards are rising all over the continent and while Oman also failed to progress to the knockout stage, they, like Thailand, should not be underestimated.
Group 3 South Korea, North Korea, Jordan and Turkmenistan
South Korea will be delighted with this draw and whichever foreign coach takes over the Taeguk Warriors will be confident of a place in the fourth round.
Turkmenistan and Jordan will not be easy places to go to but should provide few fears for Asia’s most successful World Cup nation.
Naturally, most eyes will be on the two clashes between North and South Korea, especially the one that will take place in Pyongyang.
The Korean peninsula could see two representatives in the final round of qualifying -as it did four years ago - but much depends on the DPRK's clashes with Jordan.
Group 4 Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Singapore, Lebanon
An interesting group and one that pits the Saudis with Uzbekistan after the two met in the Asian Cup. That entertaining quarter-final may have been won by the West Asians but their Central cousins were justified in feeling hard done by.
The pair also met during qualification for the last World Cup and will both expect to progress.
Lebanon are big outsiders while Singapore may be the leading south-east Asian nation but will struggle to take points off the two favourites especially away from home.
Group 5 Iran, Kuwait, UAE, Syria
Iran will be delighted with this all West Asian affair and it will be a major shock if Team Melli fails to progress.
A number of Iran’s stars play their club football in the UAE and the two nations are familiar foes.
Trips to nearby Kuwait and Syria will hold few fears for the likes of Nekounam, Teymourian and Karimi.
The battle for second looks much more open. UAE are perhaps the favourites but are still struggling for consistency while the other two contenders are among the weakest in the region.
