A short preview on the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification third round in Asia – Matchday 7

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA had made a radical change, allowing nations to schedule games in January and February 2022, and this could be very necessary to speed up the upcoming World Cup qualification. Asia, in particular, has some benefits from such a schedule, but, how far will it go? Let's move by groups.

Group A

Iran vs Iraq

Iran's surprising resurgence in the third round, which Iran u-turned its second round misery, has really put the Group A into a closer conclusion that Iran will be able to achieve a place in Qatar. Although scepticism remains high throughout Iran's real quality when it comes to the World Cup, having never survived the group stage before, but right now, Iranians could focus to an early celebration.

Contrast to Iran, its neighbouring rival Iraq has been unable to demonstrate the same form it used to be in the second round, being winless after six matches, including two heavy defeats to powerhouses Iran and South Korea earlier (both 0-3). To make the matter worse, Iraq's frequent wage crisis has led to the departure of Dick Advocaat and the new manager, Montenegrin Željko Petrović, is still hurrying to race within the time limit for his tactical adoption.

Further worse, Iraq's complete annihilation in the FIFA Arab Cup earlier, when the most successful team in the tournament knocked out of the competition with a 0-3 defeat to Qatar leads Iraq to travel to Tehran with an uneasy feeling. The Iranians have always been a fearsome force at home soil throughout every WCQ, and therefore, while Iran can think about another three points, Iraq at least will need to contain Iranian clout if it ever wants to return to the race.

With Iran's talisman Sardar Azmoun unable to take part due to being infected with COVID-19, Iran can still rely on Mehdi Taremi, who is going into the form with goals scored in recent Portuguese Liga games of FC Porto. Meanwhile, all of Iraq's hope will depend on Manchester United's new young star, Zidane Iqbal, whose debut in the Champions League against Young Boys created a massive phenomenon.

Trivia: Iraq had suffered three-nil defeats over three times in 10 recent matches.

United Arab Emirates vs Syria

Already faced each other in the most recent FIFA Arab Cup, the UAE, which triumphed over Syria 2-1 in that encounter, knew that their home return would be a chance to examine what has gone wrong for the Emiratis in the qualification.

This comes with no surprise, despite being in third, the UAE's performance is overall a massive disappointment. Except for the win away against Lebanon, the UAE has been toothless in all of their previous five games, unable to demonstrate what they should have done for. That Arab Cup wasn't exactly a successful one as the UAE ended its campaign with a humiliating 0-5 loss to rival Qatar, but with few potential replacement, Bert van Marwijk was still assigned with hope to change the fate of the struggling Emiratis in the run for a World Cup debut since 1990.

Lucky for the UAE, though, Syria is really into a severe crisis of confidence. The Syrians had just bowed out of the Arab Cup in an agonising fashion, losing to Mauritania 1-2. Coupling with the current form in their qualification (D2, L4), a huge wall is being built up upon the Syrians, with the team being just the shadow of its former self in the previous qualification.

It was the string of disappointment in the WCQ led to the firing of Nizar Mahrous and reappointment of the team's 2011 Asian Cup manager, the Romanian Valeriu Tița. While Syria failed miserably in the Arab Cup earlier, there has been encouraging signs, notably when Syria beat Arab powerhouse Tunisia 2-0. Charging with the aim to restore Syria to the right direction, the Romanian boss will have to improve the Syrian defence, the weakest link of Syria, if it ever wants to move forward as the World Cup debut appears to be a distant future for Syria.

Ali Mabkhout has fired the net in the UAE's first win in the qualification, a penalty over Lebanon, and he is likely to be seen as the hope of the lacklustre Emiratis. Oliver Kass Kawo was responsible in Syria's famous 2-0 win over Tunisia, scoring one goal and is eager to repeat the same form when the 20-year old is assigned.

Trivia: Syria has replaced over 13 managers, which mean the shortest span of every manager working for the Syrian side is just 0,5-1 year.

Lebanon vs South Korea

Since the 2014 WCQ, Lebanon and South Korea found itself pitting each other for over the next two WCQs, with this one being no exception. While the Koreans have a clear advantage over the Lebanese throughout history, Lebanon has recently proven to be a stern opposition, which is seen by how it survived to the last round despite being clearly disadvantaged by issues relating to the inter-Korean crisis itself.

Lebanon comes to the encounter with a huge pressure ahead, as the team starts to lose its steam it used to be in early phase of the qualification. To make the matter worse, Lebanon has suffered losses twice at home, but with one goal-margin. To overcome such a task like South Korea will require the Lebanese to overwork 200% in order to win, like how they did back in 2014 WCQ, when Lebanon beat South Korea 2-1. That could be impossible, but a point will hold the Koreans from going to Qatar.

Meanwhile, South Korea travels to Lebanon knowing that just another win will put themselves onward. Since that shock defeat away to Lebanon as well, the Koreans have made a sweet revenge in the 2018 qualifiers with a 3-0 win, however their away result against Lebanon in WCQs isn't really a complete advantage overall (2W, 3D, 1L). The recent goalless draw in the second round is a reminder that Lebanon is pretty much an edgy opponent that should not be overlooked. Therefore, if the Koreans ever want to get three points, they need to have their finish done, like how they demolished Iraq 3-0.

Lebanon will welcome the return of Hassan Maatouk, the inspirational captain as well as the country's top scorer in the fight against South Korea, having netted Lebanon's only goal in the country's 1-1 draw in the 2014 WCQ. South Korea can expect from Kwon Chang-hoon, who is returning to prominence with two goals against Moldova and Iceland in friendlies as South Korea won with 4-goal margin.

Trivia: every Lebanon's game sees no more than an average of 0,5 goal per match.

Group B

Japan vs China

Two East Asian neighbours, Japan and China, will gear up as the situation has turned in just two months, as both teams acquire points and necessary gains to move somewhat forward. However, the upcoming fight may put an end of this progression to one of them.

The win over Australia in October really steered the Japanese forward, and in November alone, Japan u-turned from being threatened not qualifying, into now sitting in second place, with away wins against Vietnam and Oman, the latter had stunned Japan at home earlier. Hajime Moriyasu, now dubbed "lucky manager" by media and fans due to somehow he always found his luck when his team is facing difficult time, may want to tell that Japan did not take the second for luck, but rather by its own will. For this reason, the Japanese have summoned almost every strongest men for their upcoming tasks to qualify for Qatar edition, especially when it will face the powerful Saudi Arabia in February, all Japan's games will be played at home soil.

China had a disappointing draw against Oman before surprised by gaining an important 1-1 draw to Australia despite being overpowered by the Aussies, a reason why the Australians are now pending on a potential firing of its manager. Sitting fifth with five points, however, Li Tie's hope to see China progress to World Cup is facing an uphill task when Japan is the upcoming opponent. Since 1998, when China last beat Japan, the result has been negative for the Chinese (5D, 8L). The former 2002 World Cup participant understands so well that China's hope lies deeply on how the outcome to be played in Japan, as only a win can keep China in the run. Anything but a win will be the end of China's World Cup return, even if it can beat Vietnam in February.

As Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah returned to Africa for the AFCON, Takumi Minamino has emerged as a choice for Liverpool, and he doesn't disappoint with five goals in January and a skilful display, a good perpetration for the campaign. Meanwhile, with Wu Lei is frequently benched in Espanyol, Li Tie can expect much from former Eredivisie talisman, Zhang Yuning, who is the key striker in China's lacklustre form.

Trivia: most of Japan's games have an goal average of just 0,75, a below standard due to the defensive play Japan applied under Moriyasu.

Saudi Arabia vs Oman

After an impressive performance earlier, Hervé Renard's Saudi Arabia is now getting closer to the sixth World Cup appearance, which can be formalised if Saudi Arabia wins against its neighbour Oman. This task doesn't appear to be so difficult for the Saudis, given they are the host in the encounter. Saudi Arabia might have a poor performance in the Arab Cup in December, but that was because Saudi Arabia sent a merely Olympic-aged squad with little international experience, meaning its best players were rested.

To make the matter better, Saudi Arabia has already occupied top, being undefeated throughout the WCQ, and Renard's Saudi Arabia is hoping to continue that run, which can be a repeat of Saudi Arabia's successful 2006 WCQ, during that campaign, Saudi Arabia triumphed, including two impressive wins over another fellow powerhouse South Korea. The sense of unity is strong among the Saudi players and can be at best, the key for Saudi Arabia to move beyond, although a good reminder is Saudi Arabia, after the impressive 2006 WCQ, finished bottom in their group in Germany later on - which could be a repeat in Qatar 2022.

Oman, meanwhile, shows signs of stagnation after impressive displays in September and October, failing to secure a single win over East Asian opponents China and Japan, the latter was a much agonising home loss when Oman played well and held the ground for more than 80 minutes (Oman has beaten Japan in the previous fixture before that loss).

Considering Oman will have to face two uphill battles against Saudi Arabia and point-hungry Australia, Oman has more to be wary over. Branko Ivanković has really guided the Omanis forward a lot, including the country's impressive form in the earlier Arab Cup, but still, Oman's skilful style is unlikely to threaten stronger and experienced opponents like Saudi Arabia and Australia. If Oman ever wants to achieve something, it must hold out Saudi Arabia like how it did back in the 2014 WCQ, which Oman eliminated the Saudis in the qualification, though that will be hard for them.

In November's fixtures alone, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a capable defence that allowed Saudi Arabia to grab four points, and Salem Al-Dowsari deserved praise for preventing dangerous attacks from both Australia and Vietnam. Meanwhile, Arshad Al-Alawi has emerged as the new superstar of Oman despite being 21 years old, scored two goals in the Arab Cup as Oman reached the last eight.

Australia vs Vietnam

Australia goes to the upcoming fixture knowing that its inconsistency has crippled them from the first place, as Australia is now falling to third and is facing a dangerous prospect of playing playoffs, something it has experienced in the previous qualifiers. This is also following with the potential firing of its manager Graham Arnold, who is widely blamed for Australia's deterioration of performance.

To maintain at least an automatic spot to Qatar, Australia has no choice but to win at home against Vietnam in Melbourne, and the recent meeting which ended with a 1-0 win for the Aussies may boost some hope, as Australia can't hope for China and Oman to do something in their favour. Australia does also have their home power as well, being undefeated since joining the AFC in every WCQ, and it can also look at the talented women's side performance in the current Women's Asian Cup as an inspiration.

The Vietnamese head to Australia as the only side to be pointless out of six matches in this third round, and there is no guarantee that Vietnam would avoid the same situation when visiting Australia. Despite injuries have no longer been the team's concerns, the insecurity of the manager Park Hang-seo led him to ruthlessly excluded several experienced veterans from the side, despite this could cripple Vietnam even further.

Vietnam's bad luck has even extended into the recent regional AFF Championship, when they were knocked out by its arch-rival and eventual champions, Thailand, in the semi-finals. Then, there is another political factor that could affect the match, due to the Vietnamese diaspora in Australia has been historically apathetic or hostile to the side because of Vietnam War. Probably more disadvantages than advantages Vietnam will face, and with another defeat mean Vietnam will be officially eliminated from the qualification.

In the face of unprecedented challenge, Australia will welcome the return of Tom Rogic, a key strategist of the Socceroos and the architect of Australia's first nine points. Meanwhile, Park Hang-seo's Vietnam will have a new captain, Đỗ Hùng Dũng, who will replace Quế Ngọc Hải, with hope to refurbish the Vietnam side.