With just three matchdays remaining in the second round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup, Sport360 takes a look at five major talking points from the games just played and those still to come.
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1. Things are looking up for UAE
What a difference a week makes. Now progression to the final round of qualification is back in the hands of Mahdi Ali and his men. After all the fuss Saudi Arabia made about going to Palestine, they got their wish of a neutral venue and could only draw. Those two dropped points make all the difference.
As expected UAE made short work of Timor Leste – less their Brazilian contingent – at home and are now just three points behind the leaders. Next comes a trip to Malaysia (handy for the Al Ahli contingent that can then make the three hour flight to Guangzhou for the second leg of the Asian Champions League final) against an opposition that is in all kinds of trouble. The Tigers have no coach and no confidence with a goal difference of minus 24. There will also be no fans. The game will be played behind closed doors as a punishment after crowd trouble in an earlier tie with Saudi Arabia. UAE have only overconfidence to be wary of at the moment; however this should be as comfortable an away trip as it is possible to get in Asia.
2. Qatar are so close
Only two teams are perfect so far in this second round. South Korea are one, Qatar the other. It almost certain that the latter will defeat Bhutan on Tuesday. If that happens then a draw between Hong Kong and China will see the Maroons secure first with two games to spare – that would be a fine achievement and increases confidence ahead of the much trickier final round.
The game in Hong Kong is going to be fascinating. Whichever team loses can almost certainly say 'zaijian' to their chances of finishing second. With political tensions between Beijing and the Special Administrative Region high off the pitch, then it promises to be quite a night. Qatar's evening, in contrast, should be comfortably boring and predictable.
3. Syria are still on course for the final round if…
They win in Singapore and that promises to be a fascinating game. Singapore have been going reasonably well in qualification, better than some expected given some of the issues that have surrounded the team in recent months and years.
Syria will have to find a way past goalkeeper Izhan Mahmud. He was outstanding in June as Singapore went to Japan and pulled off a shock 0-0 draw. He was almost as good on Thursday despite Japan's 3-0 victory, where the Samurai Blues showed their true class.
Singapore see Syria as an opportunity to add to the ten points already collected. A win would go down very well indeed and would even give Singapore a chance of finishing second. Syria are not going to go to Japan and win the final game so second spot is the best they can do to keep their hopes of being one of the best four runners-up alive. They have to win in the city state. The earlier match between the two, played in the neutral venue of Oman, ended in a narrow 1-0 win for the west Asians. Something similar would do this time.
4. The big boys are looking comfortable
Australia, Japan, Iran and South Korea all won and all will be in the final round. Australia may still be a point behind Jordan after losing there last month but the Socceroos are confident of defeating the men from Amman in the final game at home. Japan are top of their group and, in effect, just a home draw against Syria in the last group game – a team the Samurai Blue beat 3-0 just last month – will suffice. Team Melli have yet to fully find their rhythm in qualification so far but now find themselves in top spot following a 3-1 win over Turkmenistan. Carlos Queiroz's men took an early lead then conceded after the break but soon hit back to take the points. South Korea are perfect after five games and have yet to even concede a goal. Assuming the Taeguk Warriors win in Laos on Tuesday – a pretty safe assumption to make – then it is likely their progression will be confirmed.
5. Iraq have their work cut out
The Desert Foxes did not even play in this round – the group has been reduced to four teams given Indonesia's suspension – but they have serious work to do. When the draw was made, the reaction in Baghdad was one of relief with three Southeast Asian teams and then Taiwan. Iraq reckoned without the improving Thailand and the War Elephants are now sitting pretty eight points clear at the top of the group. OK, Iraq have two games in hand and have to host the Thais but it means that the 2007 Asian champions have to win all three of their remaining games to take top spot. Beating Thailand at home is not a foregone conclusion as this young team has players such as Teerasil Dangda, Chanatip Songkrasin and Charyl Chappuis are some of the best players around. Despite the eight point gap, Iraq can still finish top but it will not be easy.
