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
FIFA World Cup Ranking, 2018
Source: FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking, 2018Viet Nam News NEW DELHI — As the FIFA World Cup starts in Russia from this week, here is how Asian countries are ranked by the global football body. The FIFA World Cup begins today and countries across the world are gearing up for it. Only three Asian countries – Australia, South Korea and Japan have qualified to compete for the world’ most coveted trophy in football. On the global ranking, Australia is the only country from Asia that figures in the top 50. Australian team named Socceroos is ranked 36. The Socceroos are in Group C with France, Peru and Denmark. South Korea is ranked 57 and is the only Asian country that has qualified nine times for the world cup. It is also the only Asian country to win the most entertaining team award at 2002 FIFA world Cup. Two players from the team were also voted members of the MasterCard All Star Team, the only Asians to be voted in. South Korean team is in Group F with Germany, … [Read more...] about FIFA World Cup Ranking, 2018
Việt Nam know how to resist West Asian rival at Cup
Viet Nam News Football HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese head coach Park Hang-seo said Việt Nam were in a tough grouping at the 2019 Asian Cup, but his players had experience facing strong rivals. Việt Nam are in Group D at the tournament, along with three West Asian teams, including Iran, Iraq and Yemen, following a draw held late Friday in Dubai. “We’ve been grouped with one of the strongest teams in Asia – Iran. Iraq and Yemen can be very tricky teams to face, but our players have experience playing West Asian teams,” Park said on the AFC website after the ceremony. The South Korean coach noted that in the past, his squad overcame and drew even with several teams from that region. In the Asian Cup qualifier, Việt Nam grabbed two draws against Jordan. In the 2018 World Cup qualification, Việt Nam were also in the same group with Iraq. They allowed Iraq to equalise 1-1 in the last seconds of the first leg and lost with the … [Read more...] about Việt Nam know how to resist West Asian rival at Cup
Vietnam qualify for eighth straight Women’s Asian Cup
Vietnam have made it to the finals of the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup for the eighth consecutive time after beating Myanmar 2-0 in Hanoi on Tuesday. Vietnam have made it to the finals of the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup for the eighth consecutive time after beating Myanmar 2-0 in Hanoi on Tuesday. Vietnam has played host to Group D of the qualification tournament, in which 21 teams have fought for eight spots to the finals to be held in Jordan in April 2018. During Tuesday’s clash, the hosts let the Burmese dominate most of the first half as they only needed a draw to advance, while the guests had to win at all costs. Myanmar did have a chance to take the lead in the 27th minute, when midfielder New Pham was one on one with goalie Kieu Trinh but lifted her shot onto the bar. After the half-time break, the hosts accelerated the game, with midfielder Tuyet Dung dribbling through two Burmese defenders to net the opener in the 54th minute. In the 74th minute, Tuyet Dung forced … [Read more...] about Vietnam qualify for eighth straight Women’s Asian Cup
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