Asia's quartet of World Cup representatives failed to deliver a single victory four years ago and hopes of a turnaround in Russia are low, with continental powerhouses Japan and South Korea struggling for form. Asian anguish: Saudi Arabia's 5-0 thrashing by Russia got Asia's World Cup off to a terrible start. (AFP/Patrik STOLLARZ) Five nations qualified from the Asian confederation for the 2018 World Cup but Saudi Arabia's 5-0 thumping at the hands of the hosts in the tournament opener followed the pattern of miserable performances and results for Asian sides in Brazil. In the 16 years since Japan and South Korea hosted the tournament, with the latter reaching the semi-finals, they have each only made it beyond the group stages once, in 2010. Frenchman Philippe Troussier took Japan to the last 16 on home soil in 2002 but believes they have "no chance" of making the knockout phase this time despite avoiding the tournament favourites in their group. Japan sacked coach Vahid … [Read more...] about World Cup: Saudi thumping offers little hope for Asian upturn in Russia
Asia 2018 world cup qualifying
Thai football coach resigns after crushing World Cup bid DTiNews
The coach of Thailand's national football team has shocked fans by resigning from his post after leading the War Elephants through a disappointing 2018 World Cup bid. Kiatisak Senamuang, a former star Thai striker who has coached the team since 2014, announced the move on his Instagram account late Friday. "I am ceasing my role as head coach of the Thai national team," he wrote beneath a photo of the players. "I want to thank all footballers, everyone in my team and all football fans including my family, who have always supported me," he added. The move comes after Thailand endured a thrashing on the world stage as it failed to win a match in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers. It was only the second time Thailand has made it to the final qualifying round. But the team suffered especially brutal 4-0 and 3-0 defeats last month from Japan and Saudi Arabia respectively. Kiatisak, better known by his nickname "Zico" had garnered respect for steering the team to a host of regional … [Read more...] about Thai football coach resigns after crushing World Cup bid DTiNews
Vietnam suffer comprehensive defeat against Thailand in 2018 World Cup qualifiers
The Japanese coach of Vietnam, Toshiya Miura, has said he is looking forward to taking revenge on Thailand in their second leg in Hanoi on October 13 after losing 0-1 in their opener in the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers in Bangkok on Sunday. Experts said that it was a complete loss of Vietnam to their archrivals Thailand in terms of both tactics, the way of playing, and individual skills. Facing the disadvantage of an away game, the Vietnamese players resorted to tough play and it resulted in a red card – the second yellow card after the first one in the 49th minute to be exact – for defender Nguyen Minh Chau in the 72nd minute. In the 80th minute, the Thais opened the scoring after Pokklaw A-Nan entered the Vietnamese box and blasted a shot from 16 meters. During the match, Vietnam created only two chances to challenge Thai keeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool but they were just the random shots by goalkeeper To Vinh Loi to striker Le Cong Vinh in the front … [Read more...] about Vietnam suffer comprehensive defeat against Thailand in 2018 World Cup qualifiers
Vietnam to face Thailand tomorrow in 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers
Vietnam will take on host Thailand on May 24 in a match to start competition in Group F of the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers. Tuoi Tre that his players will stage an attacking formation on the Thai national stadium Rajamangala in Bangkok tomorrow to beat Vietnam to pocket all three points. However, he admitted that it is a difficult job because Vietnam are a tough rival, especially when the team are led by Japanese coach Toshiya Miura. Vietnam are strong in building solid defence for sharp counterattacks that can assault even stronger rivals, Kiatisak added. To prepare for the tournament, both Vietnam and Thailand had friendly games with North Korea this month and Vietnam had a 1-1 tie while Thailand lost 0-1 to the team coming from the northeast of Asia. The group F of the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers includes Iraq, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The format of the Asian qualifiers for 2018 World Cup It includes four rounds. The first round is for 12 … [Read more...] about Vietnam to face Thailand tomorrow in 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers
A breakdown of the 2018 World Cup qualifying groups in Asia
Gordon Savic, head of FIFA World Cup & Olympic Qualifiers displays a draw for Japan during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian qualifiers preliminary qualification round 2 in Kuala Lumpur on April 14, 2015. Photo: AFP The combined second round qualifying draw for 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup took place in Malaysia on Tuesday. Here is a breakdown of Groups E-H. Group E Four-times Asian champions Japan will be delighted with their Group E draw, with the scrap for second an open contest amongst the much weaker four. Syria look best placed to take the runners-up spot after some decent recent results, including wins over Jordan and Malaysia, but the war has ravaged the sport in the country. Singapore have stuttered badly under Bernd Stange, but did beat the Syrians 2-1 at home in Asian Cup qualifying last year and will be confident of beating Cambodia, the joint worst ranked side at 179 in the Asian draw. Afghanistan were 2013 South Asian champions and should battle Singapore … [Read more...] about A breakdown of the 2018 World Cup qualifying groups in Asia