Asia’s memorable World Cup
The World Cup approaches its semi-final round this week minus any African or Asian contenders, but Asian teams did much better than I thought they would. I do not think I was the only observer who erred on the side of pessimism before the tournament started with a record five Asian teams. Saudi Arabia managed to get its first victory in the event since 1994 when Salem Al-Dawsari scored in the fifth minute of added time to secure a win against lacklustre Egypt. Al-Suqour (the Falcons) finished third in their group behind Russia and Uruguay.
Egypt finished with no points and might have had a better World Cup if their best player, Mohamed Salah, did not have to hurry back from his injury. Justice was, however, served in Egyptian minds when Russia knocked Spain out of the competition in the round of 16.
Spain was a major disappointment, with its only victory a 1-0 win over Iran. While I had predicted that Iran would be Asia’s best hope to get to the knockout stage, they did not have a bad tournament despite finishing behind Spain and Portugal. The highest-ranking Asian team still managed a draw against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and they beat Morocco, who had qualified for the World Cup without conceding a goal in six matches.
The Socceroos exited the competition with only one point. Nevertheless, Australia did gave the French some headaches and deserved credit for a valiant effort in a 2-1 loss against one of the favourites to win it all this year. They also managed a draw against a good Denmark side, so it was not a total disappointment and the Aussies can be proud of their team.
South Korea’s second goal against Germany was a heartbreaker for me as Die Mannschaft were my team and their 2-0 humiliation at the hands of the Taegeuk Warriors shocked the world. The Koreans not only got the result of their lifetime but made a lot more Mexican friends as Germany’s first-round exit, their first in 80 years, put Mexico into the knockout stage. The Mexicans, however, did not make it past Brazil in a match that was arguably the best in the stage that was played out last week.
That brings us to East Asia’s best side and a favourite the world over, Japan. I had scratched them from having any chance to qualify from their group that included Colombia, Senegal and Poland, but the Blue Samurai proved me and many critics to be wrong.
The ageing Japanese side with the likes of the iconic Keisuke Honda, 32, and skipper Makoto Hasebe, 34, played very well with Takashi Inui, the 30-year-old Eibar attacking midfielder, and Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa, 29, to secure their place in the last 16.
Many will say with some justification that the Blue Samurai were lucky to get to the round of 16, advancing only for having received fewer yellow cards than Senegal in Group H, an unprecedented World Cup tiebreaker. They also took a lot of heat when they basically stopped playing in the last 20 minutes of their final group match, knowing they were through to the next round as long as Senegal did not score in its match. Luckily, their gamble paid off.
But for most of the tournament, the Japanese displayed an attacking mindset and never-say-die spirit that served them well. They even went up 2-0 up against Belgium before the Europeans, 58 places above Japan in the Fifa rankings, roared back. Even then, it took a 94th-minute goal to finish the Blue Samurai.
Heartbroken but still gracious, the tearful Japanese fans could still be seen cleaning up the Rostov Arena after their last game against Belgium while their team left their changing room spotless, along with a note saying “Spasibo” (Russian for thank you) to show their gratitude toward their hosts. Such class from the Japanese fans and their team have impressed the world and won the hearts of football fans all over, including mine.
As you read this there are just four teams left to contest the semi-finals later this week. Nevertheless, the Asian sides that took part did not disappoint us this year. Japan’s admirable exit was additional grounds for pride.
Too bad that that Rabio, the “psychic” octopus who correctly predicted the results of Japan’s first three World Cup group matches, will not be able to see the final game. He was turned into sashimi even before the Belgium match. Our Japanese friends do like their seafood.