The final round of the World Cup AFC qualifiers took place Tuesday and here, we have the lowdown on each team competing for a place in Russia.
From key men to best World Cup finishes, we have you covered.
AUSTRALIA
NICKNAME: The Socceroos
STADIUM: Various
KEY PLAYER: Tim Cahill. The 36-year-old is still his country’s talisman and captain despite his advancing years. He will be desperate to secure Australia a place at the World Cup, a stage he has enjoyed three times previously.
HOW THEY GOT THIS FAR: Qualifying has so far been straightforward for Australia, who won seven of eight matches in Group B of the last round – their only hiccup a loss to Jordan. The 2015 Asian Cup winners will be expected to advance to the World Cup proper, such is their dominance on the continent.
DID YOU KNOW? Australia boasts the record for largest win and most goals scored by a player in a single match thanks to their 31-0 win over American Samoa in World Cup qualifying back in 2001. Archie Thompson netted 13 goals in that game.
LAST WORLD CUP: Brazil 2014
WORLD CUP BEST: Round of 16 – Germany 2006
JAPAN
NICKNAME: Samurai Blue
STADIUM: Saitama Stadium 2002
COACH: Vahid Halilhodzic
KEY PLAYER: Maya Yoshida. Although not a regular for his club Southampton, Yoshida remains a pivotal part of a Japan back four that was unbeatable in the last round of qualifying.
HOW THEY GOT THIS FAR: Japan didn’t concede a single goal in the second round, a goalless draw with Singapore in the first game of the group the only blotch on their winning record. From there they went from strength-to-strength, easing past Cambodia, Afghanistan and Syria.
DID YOU KNOW? Japan qualified for their first World Cup in 1998 and have appeared at every tournament that has followed since.
LAST WORLD CUP: Brazil 2014
WORLD CUP BEST: Round of 16 – 2002 and South Africa 2010
SAUDI ARABIA
NICKNAME: The Falcons
STADIUM: King Fahd International Stadium
COACH: Bert van Marwijk
KEY PLAYER: Mohammed Al Sahlawi. The Al Nassr forward has been devastating in qualifying, leading the way with 14 goals in just eight matches for his country.
HOW THEY GOT THIS FAR: Saudi Arabia topped Group A with an unbeaten record that included six wins and two draws in their eight matches. They have finally found some stability under Van Mawijk, who is looking to lead the country to a fifth World Cup.
DID YOU KNOW? The Saudis have played 13 World Cup matches, winning two, drawing two and losing nine.
LAST WORLD CUP: Germany 2006
WORLD CUP BEST: Round of 16 – USA ‘94
UAE
NICKNAME: The Whites
STADIUM: Sheikh Zayed Stadium
COACH: Mahdi Ali
KEY PLAYER: Omar Abdulrahaman. Yes, Ahmed Khalil is the main goal threat and officially the continent’s best player but it is the Al Ain playmaker who can turn a game on its head. His key goals against Saudi Arabia and Malaysia prove his importance.
HOW THEY GOT THIS FAR: The UAE finished second behind Saudi Arabia in Group A, their 1-1 draw against the Falcons in their final game securing passage to the next round. The Saudis were the only team to defeat the Whites in the second round of qualifying and will be hoping for a kind draw as Mahdi Ali looks to lead this golden generation to a World Cup.
DID YOU KNOW? The UAE has two World Cup goalscorers – Khalis Ismail and Ali Thani Jumaa. Ismail’s strike was the first, coming against eventual winners West Germany in a 5-1 defeat in 1990.
LAST WORLD CUP: Italia ‘90
WORLD CUP BEST: Group stage of Italia ‘90
IRAQ
NICKNAME: Lions of Mesopotamia
STADIUM: Basra Sports City
COACH: Abdul Ghani Shahad
KEY PLAYER: Humam Tariq. A genuine natural talent, Tariq has floundered somewhat over the past couple of years. On his day, however, he has the raw ability and trickery to pose a threat to any opposition.
HOW THEY GOT THIS FAR: Somewhat surprisingly, Iraq were beaten to spot in their group by Thailand but managed to progress as one of the four best runners-up from the second round.
DID YOU KNOW? The national team’s supporters are best known for singing “O Victorious Baghdad” at games. It goes…
Always remains High, O Victorious Baghdad,
And to see your eternal Glory, O Victorious Baghdad,
O Victorious Baghdad, O Victorious Baghdad,
LAST WORLD CUP: Mexico ‘86
WORLD CUP BEST: Group stage – Mexico ‘86
THAILAND
NICKNAME: The War Elephants
STADIUM: Rajamangala Stadium
COACH: Kiatisuk Senamuang
KEY PLAYER: Teerasil Dangda. One of the country’s most celebrated players, Dangda is tasked with leading his side to an unlikely World Cup appearance. His spell on loan at Almeria in Spain easily makes him one of the most experienced players in the side.
HOW THEY GOT THIS FAR: Thailand are at this stage thanks to an unbeaten campaign that brought four wins and two draws in round two. They are the lowest ranked team remaining in qualifying from Asia and have punched well above their weight thus far.
DID YOU KNOW? Thailand stunned regional heavyweights South Korea 2-1 in 1992 after their opponents had made two consecutive World Cups. It announced Thai football as a competitive nation in Asian football.
LAST WORLD CUP: None
WORLD CUP BEST: None
