Which teams now stand between the Socceroos and the glory of the Asian Cup? Today is the fifth matchday of the qualification process… and our rivals have begun to emerge.
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Lebanon’s unfortunate withdrawal from the Asian Cup Qualifier Group D provided the Qantas Socceroos with a surprisingly easy passage through the qualification process. Having beaten Bahrain in the first match, Australia’s defeat of Kuwait in Sydney on 16 August ensured the Socceroos were the first team to qualify for the 2007 Asian Cup. But Asian competition is fierce, as we recently learnt in Kuwait. Buoyed by our qualification, the Socceroos went down 0-2 in the return leg against a tough Kuwaiti side played in oppressive heat.
Elsewhere in Asia, more than 20 other Asian nations have been battling it out to make it through to the final tournament, to be jointly hosted by Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia next July. Now, the picture of the final countries is becoming clear. Joining Australia as confirmed qualifiers are Qatar, United Arab Emirates, three-time champions Saudi Arabia and reigning champions Japan; while heavyweights Korea and Iran also have one foot in the door. For others though - such as 2004 hosts and finalists China - there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Pain for Bahrain
Bahrain, Australia’s opponents tonight will be desperate to win to avoid a last-ditch play-off against Kuwait. After a semi-final appearance at the 2004 Asian Cup and a near-miss in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, Bahrain were among the first seeds in this qualifying campaign - ahead of such nations as Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. However, the loss to Australia at home in February, together with a 0-0 draw away to Kuwait and Kuwait’s recent victory over Australia, has put them on the back foot. Unless they beat the Socceroos tonight, Bahrain will face a must-win tie against Kuwait next month to qualify.
In Group A, Japan and Saudi Arabia have streaked through, ahead of Yemen and India. The two sides have scored a combined total of 24 goals and conceded just two. The Saudis have a perfect record after four matches, one of only two teams in the qualifying tournament with this claim. Though Japan lost to the Saudis, their two defeats of Yemen mean that due to the six-point deficit and head-to-head results the Japanese cannot be overtaken.
Group B is more even, though both Korea and Iran are still close to qualification. Syria are struggling to keep in touch with the top two, and unless they win away against Korea today, they are out. The group also contains whipping boys Chinese Taipei, who have conceded 19 goals in four matches without scoring one.
Group C is even tighter, though the United Arab Emirates have already qualified. Oman sit in second, five points ahead of Jordan. Below them, Pakistan have lost all their matches. Though mathematically still possible, for Jordan to qualify they need Oman to draw or lose at home to the UAE, then beat Oman by more than three goals in their final mach – a very unlikely scenario.
Elsewhere in Asia, more than 20 other Asian nations have been battling it out to make it through to the final tournament, to be jointly hosted by Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia next July. Now, the picture of the final countries is becoming clear. Joining Australia as confirmed qualifiers are Qatar, United Arab Emirates, three-time champions Saudi Arabia and reigning champions Japan; while heavyweights Korea and Iran also have one foot in the door. For others though - such as 2004 hosts and finalists China - there’s still plenty of work to be done.
Pain for Bahrain
Bahrain, Australia’s opponents tonight will be desperate to win to avoid a last-ditch play-off against Kuwait. After a semi-final appearance at the 2004 Asian Cup and a near-miss in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, Bahrain were among the first seeds in this qualifying campaign - ahead of such nations as Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. However, the loss to Australia at home in February, together with a 0-0 draw away to Kuwait and Kuwait’s recent victory over Australia, has put them on the back foot. Unless they beat the Socceroos tonight, Bahrain will face a must-win tie against Kuwait next month to qualify.
In Group A, Japan and Saudi Arabia have streaked through, ahead of Yemen and India. The two sides have scored a combined total of 24 goals and conceded just two. The Saudis have a perfect record after four matches, one of only two teams in the qualifying tournament with this claim. Though Japan lost to the Saudis, their two defeats of Yemen mean that due to the six-point deficit and head-to-head results the Japanese cannot be overtaken.
Group B is more even, though both Korea and Iran are still close to qualification. Syria are struggling to keep in touch with the top two, and unless they win away against Korea today, they are out. The group also contains whipping boys Chinese Taipei, who have conceded 19 goals in four matches without scoring one.
Group C is even tighter, though the United Arab Emirates have already qualified. Oman sit in second, five points ahead of Jordan. Below them, Pakistan have lost all their matches. Though mathematically still possible, for Jordan to qualify they need Oman to draw or lose at home to the UAE, then beat Oman by more than three goals in their final mach – a very unlikely scenario.
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