MANY TEAMS HAVE SPLIT UP
Phase 3 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia has 18 teams, divided into 3 groups. Each group (6 teams, each team plays 10 matches) has 2 teams directly qualifying for the finals and 2 teams are eliminated. Iran, Uzbekistan (Group A), South Korea (Group B) and Japan (Group C) are the most successful teams so far, each team has 10 points after 4 matches, creating a clear gap compared to the team right behind them. 80% chance of a ticket to the World Cup finals is in their hands. If they continue to win in the upcoming matches, the above teams can be completely assured.
On the other hand, each group only has 2 teams that actually stop, the 2 teams in the middle of the group will continue to compete in the 4th stage to compete for the remaining 2 World Cup spots, or the play-off spot (Asia has a total of 8 and a half tickets to the 2026 World Cup). Therefore, even in the case that there is no hope of reaching the top 2 in the group, the teams will still fight to the end in each match, because there are too many doors waiting for them. The overall view after 4/10 matches only shows which teams are full of hope to get tickets to the World Cup soon, but does not show which teams will be eliminated.
The Indonesian team (right) is about to face two strong opponents, Saudi Arabia and Japan.
In Group C, Australia is currently in second place (with a direct ticket to the World Cup), while the bottom two teams (eliminated positions) are Indonesia and China. However, the gap between the bottom two teams and Australia is only 2 points, which can be reversed after any match. And this race has 6 rounds left. This is just a small example showing that no team has lost hope at this time.
China's team has raised hopes of advancing after beating Indonesia in the 4th round.
Indonesia is the only representative of Southeast Asian football still participating in the race for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. In fact, Indonesia is also the best Southeast Asian team ever in a World Cup qualifier. The 0-0 draw with Australia was the only match Indonesia played at home, the remaining 3 were away matches, of which Indonesia drew 2, all when leading. No Southeast Asian team has ever played on par with all opponents like that, during the 4 matches in the period when FIFA started distributing tickets for the World Cup finals.
ZBEKISTAN, INDONESIA HAVE HOPE
The problem is not that they are “not eliminated yet”. Indonesia still have a lot of hope, at least in terms of reaching the fourth round of the qualifying round. A bit of coincidence: Indonesia is actually the only Southeast Asian team to have ever participated in the World Cup. That was in 1938, when they were a Dutch colony, called the Dutch East Indies.
In tonight's match (14.11), as long as they don't lose in Qatar, Uzbekistan will take a big step forward to strengthen their hopes of appearing in the World Cup for the first time. Qatar will have to face UAE 5 days later, when Uzbekistan will only have to face the bottom team DPRK. UAE is also an extremely important opponent for Uzbekistan and it is likely that those teams will share points with each other.
Along with Uzbekistan, Jordan is the other "strange bird" flying high in this qualifying round (currently second in Group B, behind South Korea). Iraq - Jordan will be the most important match in this series. They are tied on points, below South Korea and far ahead of the remaining teams. Whoever wins the Iraq - Jordan match will have a high chance of following South Korea into the World Cup finals.
Indonesia is quietly preparing for two consecutive difficult matches, both at home, against Japan (7pm on November 15) and Saudi Arabia (November 19). These will likely be two "lifetime" matches for Indonesian football. Saudi Arabia "broke down halfway", having to replace coach Roberto Mancini with Herve Renard before this series of matches.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-doi-tuyen-indonesia-thay-tro-hlv-shin-tae-yong-truoc-2-tran-de-doi-185241113221452337.htm
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