2018 Asian World Cup Qualifiers Ups and Downs

As the groups of the World Cup Qualifiers are completed (except for Africa with one match-day left) we will take a look at the ups and downs of each group. Countries in bold will be participating in the 2018 World Cup, while the countries that are underlined, are in the playoffs.

Asia

 In the Asian qualifiers there are two groups of six teams in this round. The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the World Cup, the 3rd place teams from Group A and B have a play-off match against each other. The remaining teams can't qualify for the World Cup. 

Group A

1. Iran 22 points
2. South Korea 15 points
3. Syria 13 points
4. Uzbekistan 13 points
5. China 12 points
6. Qatar 7 points

Ups

• Iran were the first nation to qualify for the 2018 World Cup as they took the top spot in Group A and only conceded two goals, with Aliereza Beiranvand having eight clean sheets. A main reason for Iran's success was their solid back line and forwards. Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi were lethal in front of goal as they both scored a combined total of seven goals. 
• Syria were the surprise package in Group A as they took the playoff spot with shocking wins over China, Uzbekistan, drew South Korea and tied Iran twice. Despite the on going war in their nation, Syria played with a huge amount of passion, as they were forced to play their home matches in Malaysia. The player to watch on Syria was Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) forward Omar Al Soma who scored three goals in four matches. 
• Although China struggled in the beginning of the qualifiers, they started to shake the group with 1-0 victories over South Korea and Uzbekistan and finished one point below a playoff spot. A player to watch is Werder Bremen forward Zhang Yuning who is only 20 years old and could potentially be the key for China to reach the 2022 World Cup.

Downs

• It was deja vu for Uzbekistan as they were two points short of a World Cup spot and lost to Syria on goal difference. Uzbekistan will have to improve their midfield and have more clinical strikers since they only scored six goals in ten matches. As in the 2014 Qualifiers they were one point away from the World Cup, it will be tough for Uzbekistan to mentally prepare for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
• In the first five matches, the Chinese struggled to get something going as they didn't score for four matches in a row. China had a lack midfield players who could control the game, and get them going forward.
• The 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar were under a lot of pressure to achieve something in these qualifiers however they weren't prepared. Qatar lost crucial matches to Uzbekistan, Syria and China and conceded 15 goals.

Group B

1.  Japan 20 points

2. Saudi Arabia 19 points

3. Australia 19 points

4. United Arab Emirates 13 points

5. Iraq 11 points

6. Thailand 2 points

Ups

• Saudi Arabia qualified to the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Saudi Arabia had a decent midfield as Nawaf Al-Abed scored five goals and got three assists to help them qualify. The 27 year old will definitely be the player to watch for Saudi Arabia in the 2018 World Cup. 
• Japan had another successful qualifying campaign with crucial wins over Saudi Arabia, Australia, and the UAE. Hertha Berlin winger Genki Haraguchi scored four goals and 22 year old Stuttgart forward Takuma Asano sent Japan to the World Cup in a 2-0 win over Australia.
• Australia had a very strong midfield as Aaron Mooy had nine assists and an 85% pass accuracy rate. Hertha Berlin winger Mathew Leckie scored three goals and scored the winning goal against Thailand to conform a playoff spot.
• Despite Iraq finishing in 5th place, they prove that they were no push overs with two draws over Australia and Japan and a shocking win over the UAE. Al Dhafra (UAE) forward Mohannad Abdul-Raheem scored five goals and Iraq scored in nine out of the ten matches. 

Downs

• The 2015 Asian Cup Champions Australia were expected to reach a World Cup spot. However the Socceroos drew Thailand and Iraq 2-2 and 1-1, and will need to improve their back line if they want to reach the World Cup.
• Although the UAE started with a 2-1 win over Japan, they were unable to get the ball rolling. With heartbreaking defeats to Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan and a 1-1 draw against Thailand, it will be tough for the UAE to mentally prepare for the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. The UAE also lacked a midfielder who could control the game, and give the UAE more scoring opportunities. 
• For Thailand, it was a huge achievement to make it to the Asian 3rd Round in the qualifiers. However they struggled at the back and going forward as Thailand only scored six goals and conceded 24 goals.