A short preview on the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification third round in Asia - Matchday 2

The first matchday has concluded and now will be the second matchday. However, after seeing how the first went, the second has become increasingly unpredictable due to somewhat shocking results and the surprising demonstration of Middle Eastern/West Asian football powers. The 7 September series will really ratify if these West Asians are really a problem for those remainders.

Group A

South Korea vs Lebanon

South Korea has already faced Lebanon in the second round, with the Koreans prevailed after a goalless draw and a hard-fought home win. South Korea is willing to repeat the same performance against the same opponent, as Lebanon has never defeated, nor even a draw, against South Korea on Korean soil, with just only a goal scored here. Better remember, South Korea has agreed to host this fixture instead, due to Lebanon's inability to host home games owing to the devastating August 2020 Beirut blast.

That's said, South Korea blew up its fortune with a whacky goalless draw at home to Iraq in spite of totally crushing the Iraqis by possession and shots. This, in turn, has ruined South Korea's home advantage status, as the Koreans now finding themselves in dire need of a win to avoid a potential calamity in their World Cup run, having qualified for every edition since 1986.

Yet, Lebanon has proven it is not an easy team to beat either. Though facing the UAE, a team with somewhat similar strength to Iraq, far away from home, the Lebanese held on with a goalless draw. Therefore, Lebanon is determined to show that they didn't come to the third round by luck, and facing South Korea will be a good chance to speak out that Lebanon is capable of every dream, in spite of Lebanon itself is far inferior to Iraq.

South Korea's talisman Son Heung-min will be much the key player of the Taeguk Warriors, even though he has been totally blocked in the game against Iraq, given his importance. Lebanon's hope lies in Mostafa Matar, the young 25 years old custodian whose heroic forms rescued Lebanon with a point in the Emirati soil.

Iraq vs Iran

Iraq and Iran are neighbours and also classic rivals as the two countries have demonstrated at least some level of abilities and even continental successes. The upcoming fixture will be a tough test for both, especially given how the duo battled each other in the second round.

Iraq has lost its home advantage due to unrest and is scheduled to meet Iran in the capital of Qatar. That doesn't mean Iraq will lose its tempo, since Iraq has been familiar with playing away from home. In fact, Iraq inflicted Iran with a 2-1 defeat in Amman, Jordan, which is the best example. The Iraqis have also performed better than expected despite the absence of two main goalkeepers on the national side in the game against South Korea, where Iraq heroically drew 0-0 in Seoul.

Iran has beaten Syria 1-0 in the first match but the performance has not achieved the desired standard as the Iranian team had to see off Syria via a defence error. Iran is, still, a major football power in Asia and has just reclaimed its first place in AFC standing following the win, combined with Japan's shock loss to Oman at home. Iran really wants to prove that they deserved the World Cup more than anyone else, and is looking to the game against Iraq with a level of optimism.

On the Iraqi side, Ahmed Ibrahim Khalaf is the soul of Iraqi defence and also responsible for laying Iraq's successful defensive ground that gave them a goalless draw to South Korea away. Meanwhile, Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh was the sole scorer for Iran in the team's 1-0 win over Syria, also his second goal in 2021 for Iran.

Syria vs United Arab Emirates

Syria and the UAE will meet for the first time ever in a World Cup qualifying since 2008 when Syria won one and drew one, though the UAE, not Syria, would progress to the final round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, before failing to qualify. The match would happen in Amman, Jordan, largely due to security reasons in Syria.

Syria's internal upheaval proved to be a rupture as it was responsible for Syria's 0-1 loss to Iran in the matchday one. Syria is likely to re-boost its campaign, though the already fragmented squad has led to Syria being unable to utilise the full capability. This, in turn, is something manager Nizar Mahrous must try to find and reconstruct before the game against the UAE start. Syria, still, has been sometimes called an unpredictable opponent, due to the team's ability to pull out a surprise in need.

The UAE, meanwhile, has been a complete disappointment on the team's first match when the UAE could not manage to score a goal against already laid down Lebanon. This has also greatly hampered the UAE's reputation, as Bert van Marwijk's side will have to travel to Jordan in a somewhat nervous sentiment. The UAE has a better squad, but in the tie against Syria that is so hard to understand, the UAE will need to be fast enough.

Omar Kharbin will be Syria's leading striker in the game that Syria must have to win, as he has been an energetic forward and the only bright light in Syria's defeat to Iran. Meanwhile, top scorer Ali Mabkhout will be likely the marksman of the UAE though he has failed to bring out the promise form against Lebanon.

Group B

China vs Japan

Both China and Japan will come to this game with a lot of pressure following the two's unpromising performances in the first matchday. Historically speaking, interestingly, this will be the first time the two meet in a World Cup for 42 years, when China emerged victorious against Japan 1-0 back then. Though, the fixture will be a do-or-die game for them.

China is the designated "host" though, in reality, they would play in Doha, where Team Dragon kicked off its World Cup quest in a humiliating 0-3 loss to Australia, a game that China did create plenty of chances but its strikers failed to find the net of Australia for even once, much to the anger of coach Li Tie in spite of having naturalised a number of players. This, in turn, piled more stress as the country seeks to bid for a place in Qatar and to end its misery process.

Japan suffered a shocking blow right at home soil when the team repeated its poor opening qualification back in four years ago with a shock defeat to Oman 0-1. This indirectly led to a crisis within the squad as Hajime Moriyasu's defensive tactics and the unusual set-up of players were the scenes of all criticism throwing upon him for this loss. It's clear that Moriyasu knew another loss and it would be the end of his coaching career with the Blue Samurai, a grave repercussion on Japanese football after making so much progress.

Team China is likely to keep faith in Elkeson as the Brazilian-born striker has managed to play an outstanding role in spite of the team ingenious 0-3 defeat to Australia and lack of coordination with Wu Lei, China's star in Espanyol. Japan, meanwhile, has been forced to take hope on Real Madrid-trained Takefusa Kubo, who had a delighted performance in Japan's bleak demonstration on the country's agonising home defeat to Oman.

Oman vs Saudi Arabia

Both Oman and Saudi Arabia will enter the game with themselves reaching the highest point. For the Saudis, its 3-1 home comeback against Vietnam extended the country's undefeated streak in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, while Oman has shocked Asia by beating mighty Japan right in Suita 1-0, therefore establishing itself a formidable underdog. Historically speaking, it is the first time the two will meet in a World Cup qualifying stage since the 2014 qualification, where Oman progressed at the expense of the Saudis following two goalless draws.

Oman's defeats to Qatar in the second round made a wrong impression that Oman would also face the same situation, but the stunning away victory over Japan has increased Oman's status in Asian football. The boys of Branko Ivanković has shown they could be very threatening when they were underestimated. This is helped by the fact that they would play home against Saudi Arabia, an opponent that is no stranger to the Omanis given common cultural relations. In fact, the 2014 qualification memories remain deeply strong and clear evidence of Oman being increasingly stubborn. Oman has a very much organised, disciplined squad than ever before, making them a real challenge.

Saudi Arabia has defeated Vietnam but not without having the Vietnamese sent off one player and two penalties, revealing many of Saudi Arabia's weaknesses. Hervé Renard realised or not, depending on circumstances. But against a team that is so familiar to Saudi Arabia like Oman, the risk is far higher. Looking at how Saudi Arabia struggled against a highly disciplined Vietnamese defence when being stunned with a shock goal lead from the visitors until the red card in 55', it became relevant that Saudi Arabia's arrogant attitude can be a double-edged sword against Oman.

Oman's lone scorer Issam Al-Sabhi in the match against Japan has given Oman's first-ever win against Japan, and his ability to threaten the opponent is pretty much relevant due to his speed and quick conduct. Saudi Arabia's Yasser Al-Shahrani shone in the game against Vietnam as the only true scorer in the Saudi victory, as well as creating chances against a highly defensive Vietnamese side.

Vietnam vs Australia

Vietnam and Australia have never faced each other, neither in friendlies or official competitions, so the 2022 World Cup qualification will be the first time ever for the two countries to test out. At the youth level, Australia and Vietnam have used to meet each other, with the Aussies hold a slight edge against the Vietnamese. In international achievement, however, Australia is far ahead of Vietnam, with five World Cup appearances, runners-up of the defunct Confederations Cup and one Asian title.

Vietnam has lost to Saudi Arabia in the country's historic debut to this phase but registered into history as the first Southeast Asian team to lead Saudi Arabia on Saudi soil, something Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar could not even achieve. Of course, Vietnam's defeat came only after the expulsion of one player due to handball that derailed the team's highly defensive organisation - a speciality style served by its coach Park Hang-seo for Vietnam's opponents. If Vietnam continues to maintain this kind of defence, it can prove to be difficult for Australia.

Australia has been forced to play away from home in Doha in September, but a convincing 3-0 win over China has boosted the morale after a horrible perpetuation plan. Ironically, Australia has made itself the most successful home team in the first matchday, as Japan, the UAE and South Korea failed to capitalise while Saudi Arabia and Iran struggled to bypass. The team will not have so much time to enjoy, however, as they will travel to Hanoi for the game against the hosts. How much has Australia learned from the country's two previous hard-fought qualifications (2014 and 2018) remain hung in balance, much to the frustration of Socceroos' boss Graham Arnold, who had already collided with the central government over the quarantine plan that prevented the Oz from playing the home game in September and possibly October as well, adding with the absent of a number of key players in the country's A-League.

Vietnam's young and skilful Nguyễn Quang Hải became the first Vietnamese to score in the final round with a thunderous strike that gave Vietnam the lead before failing 1-3 to Saudi Arabia and is likely to retain a place as the soul of the Vietnamese organisation plan. Australia's Awer Mabil has produced a highly successful performance against China, much to the pleasure of Danish club Midtjylland which would take part in the Europa League.