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Asian nations started their journey in FIFA World Cup since 1938 when Indonesia became first to participate.
South Korea reached semi-finals in 2002 which is the best performance from any AFC nation so far. They reached quarterfinals once and second round twice. North Korea also reached quarterfinals once. Japan reached the second round three times but failed to progress further but they still impress critics with their football skills. Australia and Saudi are the other two teams who managed to cross group stage one time each. Tim Cahill from Australia is the top scorer from Asia. He scored total five goals in the World Cup.
This year we have seen a record five AFC nations participation. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Australia, South Korea and Japan managed for Russia 2018.
#5 Saudi Arabia
Group A - Russia, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Egypt
Matches:
14th June, 2018: Russia 5 - 0 Saudi Arabia
20th June, 2018: Uruguay 2-1 Saudi Arabia
25th June, 2018: Saudi Arabia 2-1 Egypt
Saudi Arabia reached Russia 2018 to qualify for their fifth FIFA World Cup and first since Germany 2006. It was not an easy group and difficult for Saudi to qualify from group A for the next round but fans were expecting some good fight from the team. They played well against Germany just before the World Cup in a practice match where they lost the game by 2-1 but showed some good character on the pitch. But the Green Falcons started their campaign in the worst possible way in the World Cup 2018. They faced a humiliating defeat against the host by 5-0 in Moscow. Amidst of huge criticism, they came back stronger in the second match and narrowly lose the game against Uruguay. And in the last group match, Saudi Arabia won their first World Cup match since 1994 thanks to Salem Al-Dawsari’s goal in the final minute of stoppage time against Egypt.
Overall not so bad performance by Saudi as it could have been worst after that 5-0 defeat.
#4 Australia
Group C - France, Denmark, Peru, Australia
Matches:
16th June, 2018: France 2 - 1 Australia
21st June, 2018: Denmark 1-1 Australia
26th June, 2018: Australia 2-0 Peru
Australia is the only nation from Asia that failed to secure a win in this World Cup. But they were competitive in all three matches that they have played. Against France, the score was 1-1 until conceding an own goal in 80th minute. In next match against Denmark, they were definitely missing a finisher. They were good in the midfield but no one was able to convert it in the attacking third. Australia could have won the match and the whole situation in the group could have been changed but unfortunately, that did not happen. Peru played exceptionally well in the last match and defeated them by 2-0.
Not so good performance by Australia in this World Cup.
#3 Iran
Group B - Spain, Portugal, Iran, Morocco
Matches:
15th June, 2018: Morocco 0 - 1 Iran
20th June, 2018: Iran 0-1 Spain
25th June, 2018: Iran 1-1 Portugal
Iran were in a tough group with Spain, Portugal and Morocco but they managed to get four points which was not enough though to reach the knockout stage. Morocco conceded an own goal in 95th minute in Group B's first match against them. Iran gained all the confidence from that match and went to play with Spain in next. They defended well in that match and conceded only one goal in an unlucky manner. In their last match, the equation was simple. They had to win to qualify for the next round. The match was drawn 1-1 but it could have gone either way in any other day.
The overall performance of Iran is really commendable. They would definitely get more respect from outside Asia as well going forward.
#2 South Korea
Group F - Sweden, Mexico, South Korea, Germany
Matches:
18th June, 2018: Sweden 1 - 0 South Korea
23rd June, 2018: South Korea 1 - 2 Mexico
27th June, 2018: South Korea 2 - 0 Germany
Korean will remember this World Cup forever. They have started their campaign with two narrow defeats against Sweden and Mexico. But in the last match, the situation was so interesting that still any of the team could qualify for the next round. It was difficult to believe that Korea would defeat the World Champions Germany but Korean players had other plans. They stunned the world and won the match against Germany by 2-0. Whole football world was in shock.
Overall "not so bad and not so good" performance by South Korea. If they converted some easy chances in first two games, we can see them in the second round.
#1 Japan
Group H - Colombia, Japan, Senegal, Poland
Matches:
19th June, 2018: Colombia 1 - 2 Japan
24th June, 2018: Japan 2 - 2 Senegal
28th June, 2018: Japan 0 - 1 Poland
Japan is the only team which qualified for the Round of 16 from Asia. They got through instead of Senegal because they had received fewer yellow cards.
Japan showed some potential against Colombia and Senegal but the real show came when they faced Belgium in Round of 16. Japan vs. Belgium was one of the best matches of this tournament which would be remembered for some time. Japan was 2-0 up against mighty Belgium and then Belgium came back stronger and won it by 3-2 with an injury-time goal. Football lovers from all over the globe are appreciating Japan's effort. They proved everyone wrong who was expecting an easy win for Belgium.
The match against Belgium would be written in Japan's football history for sure. They have lost the game but won the heart.
