Asian Qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup Finals: The Final Sprint and Dramatic Moments

(Baonghean.vn) - Twelve Asian teams are preparing for the seventh round of matches in the race to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.We can't be complacent because there are only 4 rounds left in the race.

Despite the rise of football in Asian countries, teams like Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and South Korea have shown consistent performance and regular appearances at the World Cup. In his second stint as head coach of the Chinese national team, Marcello Lippi achieved a remarkable feat by defeating South Korea, and Chinese fans have high expectations that they will repeat this feat against Iran.

Provisional standings after 6 rounds. Photo: Internet

The game of Iran, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.

In Group A, while the top teams suffered defeats, South Korea lost to China and Syria beat Uzbekistan, making the race for the two direct qualification spots to Russia and one play-off spot even more intense and exciting.

In this context, Iran seized the opportunity to widen the gap with second-placed South Korea to 4 points. Coach Marcello Lippi led the Chinese national team to an excellent 1-0 victory over strong South Korea at home. Coupled with Uzbekistan, currently in third place, unexpectedly suffering a 0-1 defeat away to Syria, leaving them with 9 points, Syria and China, with 8 and 5 points respectively, have revived their hopes.

This time, Marcello Lippi's team must travel to the home ground of the group leaders Iran with the task of at least earning one point. If they suffer a defeat, their chances will almost certainly be over, as South Korea and Uzbekistan will only have to play against weaker opponents Syria and Qatar at home.

Coach Marcello Lippi just pulled off a "shocking" feat, but that was at home. This time, with the element of surprise gone, it will be difficult for China to achieve anything on foreign soil. In our opinion, Iran, South Korea, and Uzbekistan are more likely to compete for the two direct qualification spots to Russia, even though China has shown a resurgence since Marcello Lippi took charge in the last two matches.

Farewell Thailand

Japan and Saudi Arabia are proving too strong for the rest of the teams, both with 13 points, 3 points ahead of third-placed Australia. This round is especially crucial as Australia will have a very important home game against the UAE, who are close behind with only one point less.

Any team that loses will face immense difficulties in the battle for the top three spots in the group. Australia is not in good form, having drawn consecutively with the two bottom-ranked teams, Thailand and Iraq, but in this match, Australia is in a desperate situation and playing at home, so they know what they have to do.

Thailand is highly likely to bid farewell to their 2018 World Cup dream early. Photo: Internet

Clearly, playing at home, Japan and Saudi Arabia will be determined to secure all three points against their two bottom-placed opponents, Thailand and Iraq. This is undoubtedly the time for the Asian "giants" to accelerate and secure a direct ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand is the "powerhouse," but when competing on the continental stage, they suddenly seem weaker than ever. It wasn't until the fifth matchday that coach Kiatisuk Senamuang's team secured their first point after a 2-2 draw against Australia.

This time, facing Japan, a team that Thailand had already lost heavily to 0-4 in the first leg in Bangkok, not to mention that Thailand would be without their captain and defender Theerathon Bunmathan due to a suspension.

But regardless of the lineup, Kiatisuk's team is still considered the underdog against the host nation, Japan. If Japan wins, it would mean Thailand faces the risk of becoming the first team to be officially eliminated.

If Australia earns points at home against UAE (which is highly likely), Thailand will be at least 10 points behind the top three teams, with only three rounds remaining after tonight's match on March 28th. At that point, Kiatisuk and the Thai people's dream of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup will officially be over.

AT