+x+x+xNo there has been virtually no power shift. Two of Asia's strongest teams Saudi and Iran were knocked out in the first round. Despite getting to the R16 Australia is still in decline, as is possibly Korea, only Japan continues to consistently produce players who are good enough for the big European leagues. African is in a similar boat to us, some teams improving, others in decline, but overall they are stronger simply because they produce many more players who play in the best leagues in Europe. Both confederations are well behind Europe, and the top 2 or 3 teams in South America. Let me help you. Yes way behind the big 5-6 countries in Europe & only the top 2 in Sth America. Japan beat Germany & Spain & took Croatia to a penalty shootout Sth Korea beat Brazil Saudi Arabia beat Argentina Australia beat Denmark & pushed Argentina. True But Japan lost to Costa Rica Saudi and Iran didn't make it out of the group Korea got belted 4-1 by Brazil Aussies got belted 4-1 by France Iran conceded 6 goals against England Qatar lost every game Morocco are the only non European and South American team to make the QF None of the above proves anything, except that world cups like any football competition can yield unexpected results. Both Japan and Korea made the knock out stages in 2010, so with the addition of Australia the performance is only slightly better than compared to 2010. For us to definitively say that there is a power shift towards Asia and away from Europe and other confederations then we (AFC) would need to repeat this performance at least two more times and have some representation in the QFs. What's apparent however is that the top Asian teams are competitive with every team outside of the top 6 of Europe and top 2 of South America. I would include Croatia , Denmark, Uruguay , possibly Portugal among that cohort. But is this a new development? In 2018 Iran drew with Portugal and beat Mexico. Japan beat Colombia. South Korea beat Germany. There doesn't appear to be any significant shift towards Asia. Our regions best sides are still very competitive (as they have been for 20+ years) but still a run or two below the worlds best sides. Additionally there's still a massive gulf between Europe's mid tier sides and Asia's, for example the UAE who finished sixth in qualifying would struggle to beat bar a few teams in Europe. For anyone to say the power has shifted 'away' from Europe you would need 4 world cups in a row where a European team did not win the world cup I would of said the power has shifted from Africa to Asia but Morocco have shown that clearly is not true - Africa for the 4th time in the confederations history has a team in the QF Bar South Korea (when they were hosting the world cup - which probably doesn't count for as much) an Asian side has never made it past the rd of 16..... i kind of stand by we 'under-performed' this world cup esp West Asia which considering it was in their backyard they didnt have a single nation make it out is a disgrace. It was 'unlucky' Japan had 'such a hard' run essentially played 3 top teams beat 2 with drew (lost on Pens) however with the lost to Costa Rice kind of shows they dont have much upfront when they are expected to go out and win a game - but they are the 'best' national side in Asia has and i reckon if they had Qatars Group they would of topped it - beat USA in the next round - it was such a 'waste' having Qatar host the world cup in a sense they we such a disappointment and embarrassment we couldnt 'really' build any credibility from this world cup without at least 1 side going deep in to the competition. Im proud of how Australia did, but the AFC as a whole did pretty poorly looking at it with a bit of hindsight and i think it has put to bed this argument we are 'under-rated' or disrespected by other confederations in general
these Kangaroos can play football -
Ange P. (Intercontinental WC Play-offs 2017)
KEEP POLITICS OUT OF FOOTBALL
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