Asia's hopefuls aiming for another good showing
By Ian Griffiths Whilst pundits galore are, rather unsurprisingly, postulating that Ronaldinho and his fellow precociously talented Brazilians look certain to retain their world crown when July's final rolls around, given the plots and sub-plots that always influence the world's greatest football tournament, it would appear foolhardy to rule out all but a few of the teams who will be vying for glory in the heat of Germany.
Whether or not any list of possible winners would include Asia's five representatives is somewhat questionable. Given the presence of Brazil and, amongst others, Germany, with crucial home advantage, England, buoyed by the likes of Wayne Rooney, the gifted Argentineans and a fabulous Holland side so astutely led by the youthful Marco van Basten, it would seem that this global campaign may yet prove a bridge too far for Japan, Iran, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
However, even if Asia's quintet of hopefuls are, by general consent, out of the reckoning to land the big prize, this summer's competition represents another glorious opportunity for Asian football to inch ever nearer to becoming a big time player amongst the sport's leading lights - something the continent's footballing superstars have been doing with amazing regularity at previous World Cup get-togethers.
Asia's first brush with success came at the 1966 World Cup in England when Korea DPR – or North Korea as the country was then known - shocked all and sundry by beating high-flying Italy 1-0 courtesy of Pak Do-ik's famous first-half strike at Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park.
The Korean marvels went on to secure second place in their group, ensuring both Italy and Chile's early departures, before eventually bowing out 5-3 to a Eusebio-inspired Portugal in the quarter-finals – mind you, they even had a 3-0 lead in that game.
Fast-forward twelve years and Argentina was the setting for Iran's tremendous 1-1 draw with Scotland in Cordoba, Iraj Danaifar's equalising goal all but eliminating Ally McLeod's 'Tartan Army'.
Mexico in 1986 witnessed Korea Republic, an outfit about to make their sixth World Cup finals appearance, come close to upsetting the applecart as the east Asians secured a highly creditable 1-1 draw with Bulgaria, gave much-fancied Italy a huge fright before losing 3-2 and emerged with a great deal of praise despite going down 3-1 to eventual champions Argentina.
The 2002 World Cup co-hosts were once again to the fore at USA '94 when successive draws against Spain (2-2) and Bolivia (0-0) followed by an agonising 3-2 defeat at the hands of Germany, saw Kim Ho's charges, with their heads held high, narrowly fail to qualify for the competition's knock-out phase.
Meanwhile Saudi Arabia, Asia's other contender in the United States, enjoyed a memorable debut World Cup campaign as they reached the last 16 in sumptuous fashion. Having lost 2-1 to Holland in their opening Group F game in Washington, the 'Sons of the Desert' then put themselves back into contention with a 2-1 success against Morocco courtesy of strikes from Sami Al Jaber and Fuad Amin.
Needing to win against Belgium to ensure their progress, Saeed Owairan weaved his way past a handful of despairing Belgian challenges before despatching the ball beyond the reach of Michel Preud'homme, to score what is still hailed as one of the finest ever World Cup goals and seal an all important 1-0 win for the impressive Saudi team.
France '98 was the stage for arguably Iran’s finest World Cup moment as the Persians beat the United States 2-1 in a game given extra spice due to the political tension surrounding the two nations. Despite that famous win, losses to Yugoslavia and Germany forced the Iranians to catch an early flight home.
Four years on and it was the turn of Korea Republic, again, and Japan to excel, this time in their own backyards. With the world watching on, the two Asian powerhouses enjoyed unprecedented success thanks to a string of performances that owed much to a subtle blend of skill and incredible determination.
Japan, with current West Bromwich Albion midfielder Junichi Inamoto at his glittering best, opened with a 2-2 draw against Belgium and then beat Russia and Tunisia to reach the next phase only for heartbreak to follow as Turkey's slender 1-0 victory shattered Japanese dreams.
The Koreans fared somewhat better. Two group wins (against Poland and Portugal) and a draw propelled Guus Hiddink's heroes further than they had ever been before. Italy were duly despatched in the last 16, then Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals. Germany in the last four proved to be, however, too big a test for Asia's latest World Cup upstarts.
Despite all these momentous World Cup occasions, it would undoubtedly be a major surprise if an Asian side were to mount the podium as winners in Berlin on July 9.
Not that Asian football aficionados should be disappointed if their continent does not supply the latest global champions. Given the way Asia's brand of the beautiful game is establishing itself, there are bound to be several proud moments for fans to savour in Germany.
Ian Griffiths is espnstar.com's Manchester-based correspondent who keeps a keen eye on Asian football, especially Asian players in Europe. http://www.espnstar.com/studio/studio_coldetail_1675829.html
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April 30, 2006, 02:11:19 PM
