I think the fact Africa didnt step up at home wont be helping them get any extra spots. Good to see Europe stumble outside of home. Last time there were 6 European quater finalists. The only non European nations to get that far were the big two South American teams, (who played Non European teams). This time there are only 6 in the round of 16, and because they all play each other there will be 3 European quater finalists.
If all the South American teams can do so welll in Africa, wonder how they will do in 4 years time.

So far ALL the South American teams are through (Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and most likely Chile) all topping their groups.
And Ghana is the only team (with heaps of dumb luck and favours from refs) and Ivory Coast unlikely to progress with goal difference of 7 to make up.

I wonder Oceania will get 1.0 instead of 0.5 since Australia and NZ both made to the WC twice in a row (although very unlikely as NZ is the only country to qualify every time with ease)

Sorry probably wasn't clear enough, I meant to say that wasn't one of the reasons that Asia let Australia join the confederation that it would help strengthen their position to petition FIFA for an additional place with Asian teams doing well and it being such a large confederation?

I understand that there wasn't to be a trade off, I just thought it was part of a ploy to strenthen their position to bargain.

Edited by Tyson_85: 25/6/2010 02:07:52 PM

The trade off wasn't a gain of a spot, rather a re-tasking of play-off games. In 2002 the fifth placed Asian team (Iran) played off against the best ranked second place European team (Rep. of Ireland). Now the system is that with Australia leaving OFC and entering Asia is the Asian 5th best play off against OFC best, Bahrain and NZ in 2010.
There has been no net loss or gain of half spots.

I think its just about right, I don’t think North America deserve 3.5 spots though,

Its just a ploy by Fifa to make sure the US are represented in the WC.

If Fifa were smart they should give that extra spot to Asia and hope China start getting their house in order.

what a game! and they say no one was gonna score a freekick with that ball...
honda = god

As I have stated on a number of occassions the power shift is slowly occuring whereby the middle ranking and demonstrably over rated European teams of Serbia, Poland, Austria Switzerland, etc will eventually fall well below the standard of the growing Asian powerhouses of Korea, Japan China and Australia. This is inevitable and unstoppable.

On that point isn't the Asian Federation pushing for another play at the WC?? Wasn't that one of the reasons that they let Australia into the Asian confederation??

i reckon the balance is perfect at the moment

Japan completely dominated and outplayed Denmark from start to finish. I don't understand why they cannot play like this in every game. Their passing and movement was as good as any top team in the world. Both Japan and SK deserve to go through and prove that their is quality in Asia.

I never considered the likes of Greece,Nigeria,Denmark,Cameroon etc being better than those 2 Asian teams in the first place but it was nice to see them both qualify as this only bodes well for AFC.

Add to the fact that we got 4 points from our group and that NZ didnt lose a game. Then AFC/OFC did extremely well. NK were fantastic against Brazil and for 40 minutes against Portugal as well...but the 7 goals will always be the negative from them. Either way it's been a good outing for AFC this world cup.

I was very worried that Japan was going to get creamed, but they have really turned it on.

Great for Asia, has been a really good world cup from the Asian teams and two teams going through when they werem't expected to is excellent.

I must admit I was very suprised by this result and Japan in general. I didn't think they were going to do anything at this world cup.

for my part I kinda hope Asia keeps getting underrated, I've made a nice little profit from Sportsbet ;)

But yeah it was ridiculous to have Japan and South Korea the underdogs for two of their games. Greece and Nigeria didn't stand a chance in my mind. Easy wins for the powerhouses of Asia.

And nice odds for me.

I think it is good for Asia too.

It is also good for Australia. Some football fans in this country don't recognise the qualities of the better Asian teams.

Asian football is probably improving more quickly, relative to Europe.

2 teams out of 4 getting to the next round is very good. So far Europe has only got 4 teams through out of 10 ( last two groups not counted because they are still undecided). People still argue that Europe should have more places at the expense of Asia/Africa/North America, but I think Asia is proving its worth.

Japan and South Korea through, we finished 3rd on goal difference and NZ missed out by a point - not a bad effort if we pretend that DPR Korea don't exist...


What do you think about the FourFourTwo article Japan Send Denmark Crashing Out?
JAPAN booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup after outstanding first-half free-kicks from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo sent them on their way to a 3-1 victory over Denmark.

Have your say.