World cup first round goes to Asian teams

Asians teams are the best performers in the first round of group stage in 2010 football world cup. From Asian qualifiers, Australia and Japan qualified from group 1 while South and North Koreas qualified from group 2. New Zealand qualified by beating Bahrain in Asia-Oceania play-off. They are the best performers when compared to their FIFA rankings.

South Korea reached semi-finals in 2002 world cup while Japan (2002), Saudi Arabia (1994) reached second round in world cup but North Korea reached quarterfinals in 1966 world cup. But, Asian teams failed miserably in 2006 football world cup. But, they are surprise performers in the first round of group stage in South Africa.

Performance of Asian teams in 2010 FIFA World cup:

Asian teams in 2010 world cup:

1. Australia (Group D): Best performer in Asian qualifying group struggled against Germany, best team in tournament. This group D team has best rank among Asian teams but worst performer among Asian teams. Tim Cahill succeeded in earning red card. Is it due to Germany’s brilliance or Australia’s poor performance?

Note: 20th ranked team lost to 6th ranked team (Germany).

2. South Korea (Group B): Best performer among Asian teams and even topped group B ahead of Argentina on goal difference. Fast paced Koreans thrashed aged Greeks in a one-sided match. Park Ji Sung scored wonderful solo goal. They can even progress to quarterfinals as there are no strong teams in group A.

Note: 47th ranked team defeated 13th ranked European team (Greece) by 2 goals.

3. Japan (Group E): Best chance to advance to second round as they have beaten strong-Cameroon squad. They have good chance even if they drew with Denmark. They can even progress to quarterfinals as there are no strong teams in group F.

Note: 45th ranked teams defeated 19th ranked African team (Cameroon) in Africa.

4. North Korea (Group G): Lowest ranked team (105) in this world cup won everyone’s heart including South Koreans with their fighting spirit till last second of match. They narrowly missed draw against Brazil in an entertaining game. These Koreans have potential to upset Portugal/Ivory Coast.

Note: Who predicted this kind of performance from 105-ranked team against world number one team?

5. New Zealand (Group F): Another low ranked team drew with Slovakia and earned first point in world cup in their history. They created sensation by beating Serbia in a warm-up game. They already won hearts of their countrymen.

Note: 78th ranked team drew with 34th ranked European team (Slovakia).

FIFA should increase Asian quota and do justice for us. At least 2 Asian teams will reach last 16 and one team can even go to quarterfinals. Is it not enough for us to request for another berth in 2014 Brazil world cup?