AUSTRALIA

UZBEKISTAN
J ORDAN
LEBANON I.R. IRAN KOREA REPUBLIC
J APAN
QATAR
IRAQ OMAN
Official Programme
3
Dear friends of Asian football,
It is with great pleasure that I take the opportunity to address you ahead of
the decisive fourth round of Asian qualification matches for the 2014 FIFA
World Cup. I am certain that we will witness football of the very highest
quality when the 10 teams still remaining on the road to Brazil compete for a
place in FIFAs flagship competition.
In this final round of qualifying, we will see an exciting line-up, as five former
World Cup participants have reached the last 10 together with five potential
newcomers, two of whom Jordan and Lebanon have already made history
by reaching this stage for the first time.
FIFA has so far carried out more than 120 Goal projects designed to develop
football on the continent. The progress of Asian teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola
World Ranking, in qualifying and in the FIFA World Cup finals, is proof that
our efforts are bearing fruit.
However, this development would not have been possible without the strong
commitment of the AFC and the member associations. In my numerous trips to
Asia over the past years, I was able to see for myself how well the development
work is progressing thanks to tireless efforts of the AFC.
The evolution of the member associations of the AFC has been such that they
have proven themselves to be excellent hosts of various FIFA tournaments,
which of course includes the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea
Republic. In 2012 for example, Japan will be hosting the FIFA U-20 Womens
World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup while the FIFA Futsal World Cup will
take place in Thailand.
On this note, I wish everyone an enjoyable final round of the Asian qualifiers
for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the best of luck to all the teams.
For the Game. For the World.
Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA Message
Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA President
Dear friends,
It is time for Asias finest to head into the final round of qualifying for a place
in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and earn the right to line up at world
footballs biggest festival.
After a number of surprises and shocks, goals and golden moments in the
first three qualification rounds, the field has been whittled down to 10 of
the strongest teams in Asia. With four-and-a-half slots available in the
tournament proper for our teams, the competition promises to be intense and
breathtaking.
While some pre-ordained regulars like Japan, Korea Republic and Australia
secured their place in the final round of qualifying, first-timers were also out
in full force to leave their mark.
The qualification of Jordan and Lebanon and the ouster of traditional giants
Saudi Arabia proved that no team can take its place for granted as the gap
between the nations is being bridged at a fast pace. This bodes well for the
overall continental game.
Uzbekistan pulled off a sensation by emerging as the group winners after
defeating Asian champions Japan in the third round to provide further
evidence of the fast emerging level playing field in Asia.
Iraq, meanwhile, are once again showing glimpses of the same talent and
depth that saw them lifting the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 and all this makes for
excellent news for the fans out there.
I would like to wish the teams the very best in their quest while reminding
them about the importance of fair play and respect for opponents. Let football
in all its glory take centre stage!
Zhang Jilong
AFC Acting President
FIFA Executive Committee Member
5
AFC Message
Zhang Jilong
AFC Acting President
ON THE ROAD
TO RI O
Asias journey towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup nals continues
into the nal stretch as the continents leading teams seek to
further enhance a reputation on the global stage that has been
steadily improving
1938 Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia)
1954 Korea Republic
1966 DPR Korea
1978 Iran
1982 Kuwait
1986 Korea Republic, Iraq
1990 Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates
1994 Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia
1998 Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Iran
2002 Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China
2006 Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Iran
2010 Korea Republic, Japan, DPR Korea, Australia
he final countdown for a berth at the 2014 FIFA World
Cup finals begins in earnest once again as 10 of the
continents leading nations set their sights on a place
in the final draw for Brazil and a shot at the biggest prize in
sport.
In total, 12 different nations have represented Asia at the
FIFA World Cup since the tournament began back in 1930 and
since then the continents performances at the FIFA World Cup
has seen a steady improvement when Asias representatives
have gone face-to-face with the games finest exponents.
The involvement of the Dutch East Indies in the 1938
FIFA World Cup was auspicious mainly for its status as the
continents first-ever appearance in the competition, with the
South East Asians eliminated in the first round by Hungary.
It took almost another two decades before the continent
was represented again, with Korea Republic progressing to the
finals in Switzerland in 1954.
But Asian football truly arrived on the scene eight years later
in England when DPR Korea, led by the goal scoring of Pak Do-
ik, captured the imagination with a run to the quarterfinals
that saw the legendary Eusebio and his Portuguese team mates
given a major fright.
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Asias presence at the FIFA
World Cup was guaranteed, with the allocation of places
increasing from one to two for 1986 as Korea Republic
returned for the first time since 1958, to be joined by Iraq.
While the Iraqis are still chasing a follow-up appearance at
the tournament, the Koreans laid down a marker that has seen
the country become a consistent qualifier since, including the
co-hosting of the tournament in 2002 with Japan.
For all of Koreas consistency, though, it was debutantes
Saudi Arabia who, in 1994, became the first team since the
North Koreans to qualify for the knockout stages, with Saeed
Owairans wonder-goal against Belgium playing a major role
in taking the Middle Eastern nation into the last 16.
Eight years later marked the most auspicious occurrence
to date for the Asian game when Korea Republic and Japan
co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup, with both reaching the
knockout phase for the first time.
Japan were eliminated in the second round by a Turkey
side that would go on to reach the semi-finals, where they
were joined by a Korea Republic team that was swept along
on a wave of patriotic enthusiasm that ensured the best-ever
performance by an Asian team to date at the FIFA World
Cup.
Those performances were followed in 2010 by another stellar
showing by the Japanese and Koreans in South Africa as both
once again reached the knockout phase this time for the
first time on foreign soil only to be eliminated by Paraguay
and Uruguay respectively.
T
ON THE ROAD
TO RI O
Asias journey towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup fnals
continues into the fnal stretch as the continents leading
teams seek to further enhance a reputation on the global
stage that has been steadily improving
Asias FIFA World Cup qualifiers
At a g l a n c e
Hidetoshi Nakata starred for Japan at
the 1998 FIFA World Cup fnals while
Saudi Arabias Sami Al Jaber (above)
represented his country at four FIFA
World Cup fnals.
orea Republics record of qualifying for the fnals of
the FIFA World Cup remains unparalleled in Asian
football as the nation sets sights on qualifying for a ninth
time in total and an eighth consecutive fnals.
The most recent edition of the tournament, in South
Africa in 2010, saw the Taeguk Warriors shake of any
lingering suggestions of underachievement at the FIFA
World Cup as Huh Jung-moo led the national side into the
knockout phase.
While the Koreans fell in the Round of 16 to a Uruguay
side that went on to reach the semifnals, progress beyond
the group stages of the competition was the frst time the
nation had managed to advance on foreign soil.
Of course, the countrys greatest achievement remains
their performance in 2002 when, as co-hosts with Japan,
Guus Hiddinks team made an astonishing charge to the
last four.
Prior to the co-hosted event, the Koreans had never won a
game at the FIFA World Cup, with draws against Spain and
Bolivia in 1994 and Belgium four years later, among the
countrys best results since their frst appearance in 1954.
But victories over Poland and Portugal gave the Koreans a
boost in the group stages, qualifying them for the knockout
phase as group winners.It was in the Round of 16 that the
freworks started to fy. An emotional win over Italy thanks
to Ahn Jung-hwans extra-time winner was followed by
a penalty shootout success over Spain, a win that ensured
Korea Republic went further into the tournament than any
other Asian nation before them.
Defeat at the hands of Germany and a loss against Turkey
in a thrilling third place play-of gave the Koreans fourth
place at the FIFA World Cup, a feat that will continue to
be one of the highlights of Asian football for many years
to come.
Those achievements, though, raised the bar for the team
four years later and, under Dutchman Dick Advocaat, the
K
AS AN EVER-PRESENT AT EACH FIFA WORLD CUP
FINALS SINCE MEXICO IN 1986, KOREA REPUBLIC
GO INTO THE FINAL PHASE OF QUALIFYING FOR
BRAZIL 2014 AS ONE OF THE FAVOURITES TO
PROGRESS ONCE AGAIN
KOREA
REPUBLIC
11
and, in his place, came former Gyeongnam
FC coach Cho Kwang-rae, who oversaw an
injection of youth into the squad for the
fnals of the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar in
January 2011.
Despite their strong record in qualifying
for the FIFA World Cup, the Koreans have
struggled in recent years to match that
dominance in the continental championship,
with the country not claiming the title
since the second of their two back-to-back
wins in 1960.
The Qatar edition was to be no diferent,
although Chos squad played some of the
tournaments most attractive football as the
Koreans fnished third, with youngsters Koo
Ja-cheol and Ji Dong-won impressing.
Koo, who moved to Bundesliga side Vf
Wolfsburg soon after the tournament, was
the tournaments
leading goal scorer
with fve goals,
one more than Ji,
who in turn made
a move to English
Premier League side
Sunderland.
Chos tenure,
however, came to an
abrupt end when,
following defeat at
the hands of Lebanon
in the third phase of
qualifying for Brazil
2014, he was sacked
and replaced by Choi
Kang-hee as nerves
over the countrys
hopes of qualifying
for the fnals became
frayed.
After reinstating a
number of senior players who had been left
on the sidelines under Chos rejuvenation
of the team, Choi safely steered his nation
through the fnal qualifying match against
Kuwait to keep alive Koreas hopes of yet
another trip to the greatest tournament of
them all.
Koreans fell just short.
Korea kicked of the tournament with
their frst-ever win on foreign soil at a FIFA
World Cup with a 2-1 win over Togo that
came courtesy of a Lee Chung-soo free
kick and a long range strike from Ahn and
followed up with a
1-1 draw with 1998
champions France.
But defeat in their
fnal group match
against Switzerland
left the Koreans
stranded, just missing
out on a place in the
last 16.
The lessons of that
performance were
heeded four years
later, however, when
despite opening the
campaign with a
2-0 win over Greece
and a 4-1 defeat at
the hands of Lionel
Messis Argentina,
the Koreans advanced
with a 2-2 draw in a
pulsating clash with
Nigeria in Durban.
That set up the meeting with the
Uruguayans, who emerged the victors due
to a pair of goals from Luis Suarez, the
second coming just 10 minutes from time.
Huh chose to stand down as head coach
in the aftermath of the FIFA World Cup
13
Lee Jung-soo
ugged central defender Lee Jung-soo has established himself as one of
the most accomplished defensive players in Asian football even though
international recognition has come relatively late in his career.
The 31-year-old was not part of Koreas squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
fnals as he steadily worked his way through a number of K-League clubs, playing
for FC Seoul and Incheon United before winning the domestic title with Suwon
Bluewings in 2008.
A move to Japan soon followed and stints with Kyoto Purple Sanga and Kashima
Antlers saw him impress in the J.League and earn himself a prolonged run in the
national team.
He shone at the FIFA World Cup fnals in 2010, scoring from set plays in the win
over Greece and the 2-2 draw with Nigeria before leaving Japan to join Al Sadd
in Qatar, where he was instrumental in the clubs run to glory in the 2011 AFC
Champions League.
R
he man known as The Lion King has long been the pin-up boy of Korean
football, but former Pohang Steelers and Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-
gook is now in the veteran stage of his career.
Lee returned to the national side with the arrival of Choi Kang-hee and will,
somewhat surprisingly given his longevity, only be taking part in the qualifying
tournament for the FIFA World Cup fnals for the second time.
The 33-year-old has been selected for two FIFA World Cup squads, featuring
in the 5-0 loss against the Netherland in France in 1998, while also appearing
twice against Argentina and Uruguay in 2010. He was not selected for 2002
by Guus Hiddink while injury kept him out of 2006.
Lees record at both international and club level is impressive. He won the
Asian Club Championship title with Pohang in 1998 as a 19-year-old and in 2000
he was top scorer at the AFC Asian Cup. He was also top scorer in the 2011 AFC
Champions League as he helped Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the fnal. He also
has two K-League titles to his name, in 2009 and 2011.
T
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
hoi Kang-hee successfully
steered Korea Republic into
the final phase of qualifying for the
FIFA World Cup finals after being
brought in to replace Cho Kwang-
rae, who was sacked following a
defeat at the hands of Lebanon.
Choi brings a vast amount of
experience at club level in both
Korean and Asian competitions to
the role, having led Jeonbuk Hyundai
Motors to the AFC Champions
League in 2006 and, subsequently,
coached the club at the FIFA Club
World Cup the same year.
The 53-year-old goes into the job
having won the K-League title last
season with Jeonbuk while also
taking the club to the final of the
AFC Champions League again last
year, where they lost to Al Sadd
from Qatar.
Choi has signed an 18-month deal
with the Korea Football Association,
an arrangement which is expected
to see him return to Jeonbuk once
the qualifying tournament for Brazil
2014 has been completed.
C
Choi Kang-hee
Lee Dong-gook
PORTUGUESE COACH CARLOS QUEIROZ IS
IN CONFIDENT MOOD AS IRAN SET THEIR
SIGHTS ON REACHING THE FINALS OF THE
FIFA WORLD CUP AFTER MISSING OUT ON
SOUTH AFRICA 2010
I.R. IRAN
W
ith appearances at the fnals of three FIFA World
Cup, only Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia
among Asian nations have appeared at the games greatest
tournament on more occasions than Iran.
But after missing out on a place in South Africa in 2010,
the desire to return to the fnals of the FIFA World Cup
burns bright for the Iranians, especially after seeing their
national team once again miss out on silverware at the
AFC Asian Cup last year.
Irans run at the tournament was halted yet again by the
Koreans as an extra-time strike by Yoon Bitgaram denied
Iran a place in the semifnals, a stage of the competition
they have not reached since 1996.
Astonishingly, it was the fourth tournament in a row
that the Iranians had been denied in the last eight by the
Koreans and having been drawn to face the eight-time
FIFA World Cup qualifers in Group A, Team Melli will be
looking for revenge.
In the time since, however, there have been a number
of signifcant changes for the Iranians, the most notable
of which has been the arrival of new coach Carlos Queiroz
following the departure of Afshin Ghotbi.
Queiroz is the frst high-profle foreign coach to take
charge of the team and the Iranians have beneftted from
16 17
will be confdent of making a major
impression in the battle for the four-and-
a-half places available in Brazil.
Of course, I think Group A will be very
competitive and I can see at the end all
the candidates have a chance but I think
if we are well prepared Im very confdent
that Iran has a good chance to qualify, said
Queiroz.
What is important at the end is to be
frst or second with more points than the
other teams, it doesnt matter if you win
or draw. Of course, there are some special
games and Im very confdent we can
improve and we can be more accurate and
efcient.
We need to think about the games we
have in front of us and come up with a
very accurate and complex ambitions to
prepare for Iran.
This is a great
opportunity for the
country and for
the team but we
can only do it if
we come up with a
proper preparation
programme.
The form of his
team in the build-
up to the qualifers
has put Queiroz in
a confdent mood
that Brazil 2014 can
register as Irans
fourth FIFA World
Cup appearance.
I think we have
a good chance, we
have a good team,
we have the players
but the most
important thing now is the preparation
plan to support our goals and our dreams
on this road to the World Cup 2014, he
said.
This is what we need to concentrate on
now and thats what we need to focus on,
to prepare the Iranian national team.
his organisation both on and of the pitch
as the Portuguese has made the Iranians a
better-drilled outft.
The fruits of those labours were on
display in the third round of qualifying as
Iran cruised through to the fnal phase with
an unbeaten record
alongside Qatar and
ahead of Bahrain
and Indonesia.
The most eye-
catching result
for Queirozs
team during the
penultimate round
of qualifying came
against Bahrain as
six diferent players
put their name on
the score-sheet in
a 6-0 win at the
Azadi Stadium.
His team, like
Ghotbis before him,
continues to be built
on the solidity of
central defensive
partnership Hadi
Aghili and Seyed
Jalal Hosseini with Javad Nekounam and
Andranik Teymourian providing the graft
in midfeld and Ali Karimi the creativity in
the attacking third.
With young star Karim Ansarfard all but
sure to come to the fore as the qualifying
tournament unfolds, Queiroz and company
Javad Nekounam
ith a wealth of experience and talent, dynamic midfelder Javad Nekounam
has anchored the Iran team for much of the last decade, playing a key role
in steering the nation to the fnals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
The 31-year-old signed for Osasuna in the aftermath of the FIFA World Cup in
Germany having previously played for Pas in Iran and served short stints with Al
Wahda and Al Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
He has established himself as a regular at the heart of the team after spurning
others from throughout Europe to move to Spain while also making more than 100
appearances for Team Melli.
W
Karim Ansarifard
urrently the hottest talent in Iranian football, striker Karim Ansarifard has
been likened to arguably his most famous and illustrious predecessor in the
countrys attacking line, Ali Daei.
Hailing from Ardabil, the same city as Daei, the comparisons with the former
Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin forward have followed Ansarifard since early
in his career, when he was signed by the Saipa club during Daeis time there as
manager.
Although just 22, Ansarifard is widely considered the next superstar of Iranian
football and he has already attracted interest from clubs in Germany and
England.
C
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
ell-travelled Portuguese
coach Carlos Queiroz took
over at the helm of the Iran team
following Afshin Ghotbis resignation
in the aftermath of the AFC Asian
Cup finals in Qatar at the start of
2011.
The former Real Madrid,
Manchester United and Portugal
coach has brought a renewed
sense of professionalism to the set-
up, utilizing hisvast experience of
the global game to overhaul how
the team functions.
Queiroz encouraged veteran
playmaker Ali Karimi to come out of
international retirement to feature
once again for the national side
and his record in charge has seen
Iran reach the final phase without
defeat.
The 59-year-old has previous
experience working at national level
in Asia, having coached the United
Arab Emirates during the late 1990s
while he also steered Japans
Nagoya Grampus to the final of the
Asian Cup Winners Cup in 1996.
W
Carlos Queiroz
A RUN TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE 2011
AFC ASIAN CUP CONFIRMED UZBEKISTANS
STATUS AS ONE OF ASIAS LEADING SIDES,
BUT NOW THE CENTRAL ASIANS MUST DO
IT ALL AGAIN TO SECURE A MAIDEN TICKET
TO THE FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS.
UZBEKISTAN
U
zbekistan have consistently been the strongest team
out of the Central Asian nations following the break-
up of the Soviet Union, but have so far stumbled during
their four previous appearances in World Cup qualifers
since joining the AFC in 1994.
But after reaching the semi-fnals of the 2011 AFC Asian
Cup and topping their third round group ahead of Asian
champions Japan, Uzbekistan are out to make history with
a maiden World Cup appearance in Brazil the ideal setting
at which to announce themselves on the world stage.
After gaining independence in 1991, Uzbekistan
proclaimed themselves as a new nation on the footballing
map after winning the gold medal at the 1994 Asian
Games in Japan before the countrys U-20 team qualifed
for the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2003.
Uzbekistan then fnished third behind Saudi Arabia and
Korea Republic in the fnal round of World Cup qualifers
ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany before losing to
Bahrain on the away goals rule in the play-ofs.
The Uzbeks then endured a disastrous 2010 campaign
with only a solitary win against Qatar and a draw against
Japan leaving Uzbekistan at the bottom of their group,
which also contained Australia and Bahrain.
But at the AFC Asian Cup at the start of last year,
Uzbekistan showed signifcant signs of a turnaround,
topping their group with an unbeaten record as goals from
Server Djeparov and Odil Akhmedov secured a 2-0 win
over hosts Qatar, while Djeparov and Maksim Shatskikh
were on target as Abramovs side recorded a 2-1 win over
Kuwait.
A 2-2 draw with China ensured Uzbekistans place at
the top of the group ahead of Qatar as Akhmedov and
Alexander Geynrikh netted.
Ulugbek Bakaev then scored twice in three second half
minutes against Jordan in the quarter-fnals as Uzbekistan
recorded a 2-1 win to fnally reach the last four following
quarter-fnal exits in 2004 and 2007.
Uzbekistan, though, were unceremoniously dumped out
by Australia in the semi-fnals as the Socceroos scored
six unanswered goals and Uzbekistan eventually fnished
fourth after being edged out 3-2 by Korea in the third
place play-of - although the result was still their best ever
performance in the continental championship.
A convincing 7-0 aggregate win over Kyrgyzstan secured
Uzbekistan their place in the third round of qualifers for a ffth
consecutive World Cup qualifying campaign.
And Abramovs charges won fve of their six games while
conceding just one goal in their draw with Japan to ease through
20 21
an increasing number of Uzbekistans
national team have moved overseas with
midfelder Azizbek Haydarov playing for
Al Shabab Al Arabi in the United Arab
Emirates, while the likes of Ahmedov, Sanjar
Tursunov, Vagiz Galiulin play in Russia.
Djeparov remains the heartbeat of the
side behind lone striker Geynrikh, with
the Middle East based playmakers range
of passing and vision earning the former
Bunyodkor midfelder a second AFC Player
of the Year award in 2011 after also landing
the prize in 2008.
Highly-rated Ahmedov, who spent
this season on loan in Russia with Anzhi
Makhachkala after attracting considerable
interest from across Europe and the Middle
East following his showing in Qatar at the
start of last year, and Haydarov provide a
solid central midfeld
pairing.
L e f t - s i d e d
midfielder Kapadze,
who plays in the UAE
Pro League with Al
Sharjah, is closing
in on becoming
the first player to
win 100 caps for
Uzbekistan.
P a k h t a k o r s
G e y n r i k h has
assumed the leading
frontman role, while
versatile Ukraine-
based veteran striker
Shatskikh ofers an
additional option
going forward either
up front or on the
left side of a fve-
man midfeld.
Experienced Bunyodkor goalkeeper
Ignatiy Nestervov who missed the defeat
by Australia in Qatar ofers a safe pair of
hands between the posts, with midfelder
Viktor Karpenko often deployed at right-
back after deputising in the role at the
2011 AFC Asian Cup.
ahead of the Asian champions from a group
which also contained DPR Korea and Tajikistan.
Maksim Shatskikh scored as Uzbekistan
recorded a 1-0 away win over Tajikistan on
Matchday One before Japans Shinji Okazaki
struck in the second half to cancel out Server
Djeparovs early opener
in Tashkent.
A solitary goal
from Alexander
Geynrikh midway
through the frst
half as Uzbekistan
extended their
unbeaten start with
a win over DPR Korea
in Pyongyang, while
Timur Kapadzes
strike at the start
of the second half
proved the diference
between the sides in
the return fxture in
Tashkent.
Sanjar Tursunov,
Odil Akhmedov and
Geynrikh were all on
target in the 3-0 win
over Tajikistan on
Matchday Five before Uzbekistan rounded
of their unbeaten campaign in style as
Aleksandr Shadrins goal midway through
the second half secured a 1-0 win over
Japan at Toyota Stadium.
With Djeparov plying his trade in Saudi
Arabia with domestic champions Al Shabab,
Server Djeparov
wo-time AFC Player of the Year Server Djeparov played a central role as in
Uzbekistans run to the semi-fnals of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup after also
helping his country reach the quarter-fnals in both 2004 and 2007.
Djeparov won the Uzbek League title on six consecutive occasions with
Pakhtakor before he joined big-spending Bunyodkor. And in his frst season in
2008 Bunyodkor reached the semi-fnals of the AFC Champions League and won
the double to earn Djeparov his frst AFC Player of the Year award. An eighth
Uzbek League title soon followed in 2009 before Djeparov joined K-League side
FC Seoul in mid-2010. Djeparov helped FC Seoul win the 2010 K-League title.
After helping Uzbekistan to the semi-fnals of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, he left
for Saudi Arabias Al Shabab in July 2011. A second AFC Player of the Year award
followed at the end of 2011 before Djeparov landed another domestic crown as Al
Shabab won the 2011/12 Saudi League title.
T
Odil Ahmedov
dil Ahmedov spent the 2011/12 season on loan from Uzbek side Pakhtakor
with big-spending Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala.
He was named Uzbekistan Player of the Year in 2011 ahead of Djeparov after
an eye-catching display at the AFC Asian Cup. He scored twice and played
every minute in Qatar, with his long range strike against hosts Qatar one of the
goals of the tournament.
His display in Doha attracted interest from across Europe and the Middle East
and he joined Anzhi in February 2011 to play alongside former Barcelona striker
Samuel Etoo. The tough-tackling midfelder was named Anzhis Player of the
Year for 2011 ahead of former Chelsea midfelder Yuriy Zhirkov.
O
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
unyodkor coach Mirdjalal
Kasimov replaced Vadim
Abramov following the 1-0 opening
day defeat by Iran in the final
round of qualifying for the 2014
FIFA World Cup. Former national
team captain Kasimov returns for
a second spell in charge of the
Uzbekistan national team having
served as assistant at the 2007
AFC Asian Cup before taking
full charge of the side between
September 2008 and March 2009.
Following his retirement in 2005
after establishing as a legend for
his country, the former playmaker
led Bunyodkor to the semi-finals
of the 2008 AFC Champions
League before taking over the
national team reigns for the first
time. And Kasimov will remain as
Bunyodkor coach having returned
to the club in 2010, with the four-
time Uzbekistan champions having
secured a place in the quarter-
finals of the AFC Champions
League for the first time since
2009.
B
Mirdjalal Kasimov
QATARS IMPENDING HOSTING OF THE FIFA
WORLD CUP FINALS WILL INCREASE THE
PRESSURE ON THE GULF STATE TO QUALIFY
FOR THE TOURNAMENT AHEAD OF THEIR
2022 DATE WITH DESTINY
QATAR
W
hen FIFA President Sepp Blatter pulled Qatars name
out of an envelope and displayed it up to the worlds
television cameras as the successful bidder for the hosting
of the 2022 FIFA World Cup fnals, the pressure on the
Qatar Football Association was automatically cranked up.
No nation has hosted the fnals of the FIFA World Cup
without having previously qualifed for the tournament and
the Qataris will be determined to ensure that they will not
become the frst to make their debut at the competition on
home soil.
That leaves the Qatar national team and all those associated
with it just two opportunities to book a berth at the fnals
and few would relish a make or break battle to book a spot
in Russia in 2018 without frst having progressed to Brazil
2014.
As a result, the pressure on coach Paolo Autuori and
his team will be immense when the fnal phase of Asias
qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup commences.
However, although the Qataris have never qualifed for
the FIFA World Cup, they went close to reaching the fnals
in France in 1998.
Then, with just one round of matches remaining, the
Dzemal Hadziabdic-coached team knew a win from their
meeting with Saudi Arabia would take them through to the
drawn in Marseilles several weeks later, only to lose out
thanks to a goal by Ibrahim Swaid.
That victory for the Saudis earned them a place in the
fnals while Iran took second in the group and a spot in the
playof for Asias remaining berth while the Qataris were
left to rue a number of missed opportunities earlier in the
25
Like table-toppers Iran, the Qataris emerged
without a defeat yet only registered two wins,
both against last-placed Indonesia.
Autuori oversaw Qatars fnal qualifying
match after taking over from his Brazilian
compatriot Sebastiao Lazaroni at the turn
of the year, becoming the fourth person to
occupy the position since the start of 2011.
The draw was balanced in both groups,
said Autuori recently. Generally speaking,
in such qualifers there are no easy groups
because all the teams have a chance and the
diferences are not that big.
We must prepare very well for the fnal
round because it is an important event for
us. All the matches will be very hard and
there will be no easy or strong teams.
Our group is strong as there are good
names like Uzbekistan, who defeated Japan
in front of their
fans, while Iran are
very hard to beat at
home.
Korea Republic
are well known for
their experience
and strength while
Lebanon proved to be
a good team especially
after qualifying to this
stage.
The Qataris will be
hoping former AFC
Player of the Year
Khalfan Ibrahim can
continue his scoring
streak after fnding
the back of the net
on four occasions in
the last six qualifers,
with three of those
coming in the two
meetings with Indonesia.
The pressure to deliver will be signifcant
but with Autuori a man who has won both
the Copa Libertadores and the FIFA Club
World Cup at the helm and a talented
squad, Qatar will be confdent of bringing
their FIFA World Cup absence to an end.
qualifying campaign.
Since then, Qatar have not managed to
go close. In qualifying for Korea and Japan
2002, they fnished fourth in their fve-team
group and four years later for Germany they
missed out on a place in the fnal round of
qualifying.
Qatar made it
into the fnal round
for South Africa
2010 but, as in the
qualifers for 2002,
they fnished fourth
in their group and
were well adrift of
Australia and Japan,
who took the slots
available at the
fnals.
Since then, there
have been moves
made to ensure
enough progress
with the national side
pushing Japan to the
brink of elimination
during the 2011 AFC
Asian Cup while the
Al Sadd club claimed
the AFC Champions League crown later the
same year.
Qatar sealed their place in the fnal phase
of qualifying for Brazil 2014 thanks to a 2-2
draw with Iran at the Azadi Stadium, which
ensured they took second spot in Group E, a
point ahead of Bahrain.
Sebastian Soria
ruguay-born striker Sebastian Soria has long been the pin-up boy of Qatar
football after choosing Qatar over the land of his birth.
The pacy and powerful forward was a member of Qatars gold medal winning
team at the 2006 Asian Games, which were held in Doha, and soon after he
became one of the key players in the full national side.
He joined Al Gharafa at the age of just 21 and soon after he was given citizenship,
prompting his eligibility for the national side.
He has since signed for Qatar Sports Club and led the line for Qatar at the 2011
AFC Asian Cup, when they reached the quarterfnals.
U
Khalfan Ibrahim
halfan Ibrahim emerged into the limelight at the tender age of 18 when he
was named the AFC Player of the Year in 2006, becoming the frst and so
far only Qatari to win the title.
The son of a former Qatar international, Ibrahim shone brightly as a teenager
and was part of the nations gold medal winning team at the 2006 Asian Games
but suffered several serious injuries hampered his development.
He eventually returned to full ftness and form, however, and he was a member
of the Qatari squad that reached the quarterfnals of the AFC Asian Cup and was
a winner of the AFC Champions League with Al Sadd last season.
K
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
idely travelled Brazilian
coach Paulo Autuori took
over ahead of Qatars final match in
the third round of FIFA World Cup
qualifying, replacing compatriot
Sebastiao Lazaroni.
Autuori is the fourth coach to fill
the role since the start of 2011,
with Bruno Metsu in charge until
the completion of the countrys
commitments at the AFC Asian
Cup before being replaced by
Milovan Rajevac, who steered the
team through the second round of
qualifying.
Rajevac, in turn, was succeeded
by Lazaroni, who was ousted
at the end of 2011 following a
disappointing performance at the
Pan Arab Games.
Autuori has worked extensively
in his native Brazil but also has
experience in Japan, where he
was Kashima Antlers coach, and in
Qatar with Al Rayyan. He also led
Sao Paolo to victory in the Copa
Libertadores and the FIFA Club
World Cup in 2005.
W
Paolo Autuori
LEBANONS PROGRESS TO THE FINAL PHASE OF
QUALIFYING IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST SURPRISES
IN THE RECENT HISTORY OF ASIAN FOOTBALL. BUT
CAN THEY RAISE THEIR GAME FURTHER STILL TO
COMPETE FOR A PLACE IN BRAZIL?
LEBANON
F
or much of the last 15 years, the primary boasts of
football in Lebanon have been the success of star
playmaker Roda Antar and the fact the nation hosted
the finals of the AFC Asian Cup in 2000.
Now, with progress to the final phase of Asias
qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in
Brazil, Lebanon and the countrys passionate football
followers have something more tangible to celebrate.
When coach Theo Bucker returned to the helm of the
team ahead of the third phase of qualifying for Brazil
2014, Lebanons involvement in Group B was seen as
barely making up the numbers against Korea Republic,
the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Six months later, however, Bucker had masterminded
three wins and a draw that brought with them a place in
the final round of qualifying, keeping alive Lebanons
unlikely hopes of a first-ever appearance at the finals
of the FIFA World Cup.
For the Lebanese the turnaround has been
astonishing.
Barely 18 months before, the national team had
been disbanded, playing twice in the first quarter of
the year and not reconvening again until a friendly
meeting with Kuwait in July 2011 after missing the
regional West Asian Football Federation Championships
in September 2010.
Heavy defeats at the hands of Kuwait and the UAE
in friendly matches as well as a loss against Oman
did not auger well for the Lebanese and then-coach
Emile Rustom, who was replaced after Lebanon had
managed to see off Bangladesh in the second round of
qualifying.
In his place came Bucker, an enigmatic German who
had previously led the team a decade earlier and who
instantly galvanized the squad.
I used to say that Lebanese football was not under
the carpet because if you lift the carpet you would
have seen it, said Bucker. But Lebanons football was
not under the carpet, it was under the ground.
I believe in the existing quality of the players, but
nobody found out how to use the qualities of the
players.
28 29
reached the second round of South Africa
2010 a 2-1 loss in Beirut, with Abbas Ali
Atwi scoring the decisive second.
Not even a 4-2 loss against the UAE in
the final group match could deny Lebanon
the opportunity of going through to the
next round and, in turn, sending the
Lebanese fans into raptures.
You live there and you look on the
streets and the people are enthusiastic,
says Bucker. They love football.
During the World Cup, they put the
flags from Germany, England, Brazil,
everywhere on their balconies. Why?
Because they dont have any team where
they can address their life to, regarding
football.
Now, suddenly, like a big explosion,
the whole country is upside down.
They really love
football so much
and I need, these
days, urgently,
someone who is
answering all the
messages I receive
on Facebook.
Its unbelievable
what has happened.
In previous years
I could go to the
airport just before
my flight, now I
have to leave an
hour earlier because
everyone wants to
take a photo or to
talk.
On one hand
its ok, but on the
other hand its
another demand
for the future because they believe we
are something and we have to live up to
our new position and we dont want to
disappoint our people.
The whole football situation is
becoming better but it takes a little bit
more, lets say facilities, structure.
Me, Im an old football player and
from this kind of feeling I had as an
old player I am coaching today. We are
working with a different philosophy
and my way of working with the team
and in the training session and in the
matches is different
to almost everyone
else. I dont believe
in working any
other way.
In the end, people
after any match
ask one simple
question: what is
the result? Whoever
is the coach, the
spectators, doesnt
count. This is all
that counts.
The new approach
paid dividends for
Bucker and his
team, but only after
a 6-0 thrashing
against Korea in the
opening match of
the third round of
qualifying. A 3-1
win against the UAE was followed by a
draw and a win over Kuwait that turned
the group on its head.
However, it was the next result that
really made all of Asian football take
notice as Buckers team handed a Korean
squad packed with players who had
Roda Antar
rguably Lebanons most famous footballing son, creative midfelder Roda
Antar made an impression early in his career, earning selection for his countrys
23-man squad for the hosting of the AFC Asian Cup fnals in 2000 despite being
just 20 years old.
He was soon on his way to Bundesliga side SV Hamburg from Tadamon Sur
and, although he struggled to establish himself as a regular member of the starting
line-up, he was picked up by SC Freiburg, where he continued to develop and
improve.
Antar made more than 100 appearances for Freiburg in all competitions before
join FC Koln, where he spent two seasons before moving to the Chinese Super
League, where he currently plies his trade for Shandong Luneng.
A
Youssef Mohamad
ow reaching the veteran stage of his career, 31-year-old defender Youssef
Mohamad returned to play in the Middle East with Al Ahli in the United Arab
Emirates at the start of the 2011/12 season after an impressive seven-year spell
in the Bundesliga.
Like Roda Antar, Mohamad featured in Lebanons 2000 AFC Asian Cup squad
as a 20-year-old and the pair were reunited in Germany when Mohamad joined
SC Freiburg in 2004, spending three seasons with the club.
In 2007, he signed for FC Koln alongside Antar, remaining with the club until
the end of the 2010/11 season and playing in excess of 120 times for the club
from the Ruhr region.
Mohamad was recalled to the national team with the arrival of Theo Bucker
after a fall out with the previous coaching staff and his performances in defence
have been instrumental in Lebanons success.
N
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
erman coach Theo Bucker is
in his second stint as head
coach of the Lebanon national team
having previously been at the helm
of the team in the aftermath of the
countrys hosting of the AFC Asian
Cup in 2000.
The 63-year-old, who had stints
at Borussia Dortmund and Schalke
04 during his playing career, has
worked throughout the Arab world,
coaching in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
as well as in Lebanon.
Bucker was serving as coach of Al
Ahed club in the Lebanese capital
Beirut when he was asked to take
over from Emile Rustom and his
methods have borne fruit where
others have failed.
Bucker has adopted Lebanon as
his home and his passion for both
the team and the country have
strengthened the bonds between
himself and the nations football
fans, who have hailed him for the
feat of steering the team to the final
phase of qualifying for the FIFA
World Cup for the first time ever.
G
Theo Bucker
Date Match Date Match Date Match Date Match
UZBEKISTAN vs I.R. IRAN
LEBANON vs QATAR
QATAR vs KOREA REPUBLIC
LEBANON vs UZBEKISTAN
KOREA REPUBLIC vs LEBANON
I.R. IRAN vs QATAR
LEBANON vs I.R. IRAN
UZBEKISTAN vs KOREA REPUBLIC
QATAR vs UZBEKISTAN
I.R. IRAN vs KOREA REPUBLIC
3 Jun 2012
8 Jun 2012
12 Jun 2012
11 Sept 2012
16 Oct 2012
JORDAN vs IRAQ
JAPAN vs OMAN
OMAN vs AUSTRALIA
JAPAN vs JORDAN
AUSTRALIA vs JAPAN
IRAQ vs OMAN
JAPAN vs IRAQ
JORDAN vs AUSTRALIA
OMAN vs JORDAN
IRAQ vs AUSTRALIA
3 Jun 2012
8 Jun 2012
12 Jun 2012
11 Sept 2012
16 Oct 2012
I.R. IRAN vs UZBEKISTAN
QATAR vs LEBANON
KOREA REPUBLIC vs QATAR
UZBEKISTAN vs LEBANON
LEBANON vs KOREA REPUBLIC
QATAR vs I.R. IRAN
I.R. IRAN vs LEBANON
KOREA REPUBLIC vs UZBEKISTAN
14 Nov 2012
26 Mar 2013
4 Jun 2013
11 Jun 2013
18 Jun 2013
UZBEKISTAN vs QATAR
KOREA REPUBLIC vs I.R. IRAN
IRAQ vs JORDAN
OMAN vs JAPAN
AUSTRALIA vs OMAN
JORDAN vs JAPAN
JAPAN vs AUSTRALIA
OMAN vs IRAQ
IRAQ vs JAPAN
AUSTRALIA vs JORDAN
14 Nov 2012
26 Mar 2013
4 Jun 2013
11 Jun 2013
18 Jun 2013
JORDAN vs OMAN
AUSTRALIA vs IRAQ
I.R. IRAN
KOREA REPUBLIC
LEBANON
QATAR
UZBEKISTAN



I.R. IRAN KOREA REPUBLIC LEBANON QATAR UZBEKISTAN
AUSTRALIA
IRAQ
JAPAN
JORDAN
OMAN



AUSTRALIA IRAQ JAPAN JORDAN OMAN
S C H E DU L E GROUP A
GP W D L GF GA Pts
I.R. IRAN
KOREA REPUBLIC
LEBANON
QATAR
UZBEKISTAN
GP W D L GF GA Pts
AUSTRALIA
IRAQ
JAPAN
JORDAN
OMAN
GROUP B
BACK-TO-BACK APPEARANCES AT THE FIFA WORLD
CUP AND A RUNNERS-UP FINISH AT THE AFC ASIAN
CUP WILL SEE HOLGER OSIECKS SIDE GO INTO
THE FINAL ROUND OF QUALIFYING IN CONFIDENT
MOOD
AUSTRALIA
aving sufered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2011 AFC
Asian Cup fnal, Australias ageing band of household
names have more determination than ever to secure a
third consecutive FIFA World Cup fnals appearance.
With German coach Holger Osieck in the process of
evolving the side after Australia narrowly missed out a
frst piece of silverware since moving to Asia following
their dramatic extra-time defeat by Japan in Qatar at the
start of last year, Brazil 2014 realistically represents the
last chance for the likes of talismanic midfelder Tim Cahill,
colourful striker Harry Kewell, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer
and captain Lucas Neill to appear on the world stage.
When the 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup begins in
Brazil on June 12, Everton midfelder Cahill, A-League-
based Kewell and Al Jazira defender Neill will be in their
mid-30s while veteran Fulham custodian Schwarzer will
be just under four months away from turning 42.
An appearance by Schwarzer in Russia 2018 is not out of
the question given the extended shelf life of goalkeepers,
but for Messrs Cahill, Kewell and Neill, Brazil likely
represents the end of the road for the trio who have close
to 200 international caps between them prior to the start
of the fnal round of World Cup qualifers.
Schwarzer, who was the hero in the penalty shootout
against Uruguay during the qualifying campaign for
Germany 2006 that earned Australia a return to the World
Cup after an absence of 32 years, is himself set to reach
the 100 cap milestone for the Socceroos during the fnal
H
35
third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying
campaign due to a string of injures, but
made a timely return to form and ftness
during Evertons strong end to their
Premier League campaign in England.
He made his only start of the campaign
as Australia began the third round with a
nervous 2-1 win over Thailand in Brisbane
before coming of the bench for a late
cameo as the Socceroos stunned Saudi
Arabia in Dammam as Josh Kennedy scored
twice to secure a 3-1 win.
Those back-to-back wins handed
Australia the perfect start to life in Group
D after securing automatic passage to the
third round, and with further victories over
Thailand and Oman either side of a surprise
defeat by Oman in Muscat, the Socceroos
had secured their place in the fnal round
with relative ease.
M e l b o u r n e
Victorys Kewell
then made only his
second appearance
of the campaign
and put his name
on the scoresheet
as Australia scored
three times in four
second half minutes
to beat Saudi Arabia
4-2 in Melbourne
a defeat which
eliminated the Green
Falcons.
The likes of Luke
Wilkshire Mile
Jedinak, Carl Valeri
and Matt McKay all
racked up signifcant
mileage and minutes
during the third
round after playing central roles in Qatar,
while Matthew Spiranovic and ft-again
striker Josh Kennedy were also heavily
utilised by Osieck on the road to Brazil
after Australia felded the second oldest
squad at the FIFA World Cup in South
Africa.
round of FIFA World Cup qualifers.
Following Schwarzers heroics and John
Aloisis winning spot kick on a memorable
night in Sydney in November 2005, Cahill
then scored Australias frst goal at the
FIFA World Cup against Japan as Australia
reached the Round of
16 in 2006 before
narrowly falling to
eventual champions
Italy 1-0, in the same
year they joined
the Asian Football
Confederation.
The Socceroos then
secured a trip to
South Africa their
frst qualifcation
since switching from
Oceania but missed
out on a place in
the second round
on goal diference
despite beating
Serbia 2-1 thanks
to goals from Cahill
and Brett Holman.
And at the start
of 2011, Schwarzer,
Neill and Sasa Ognenovski, another of
Australias over 30 band who only made
his international debut two months earlier,
were the only players to play every minute
in Qatar, while Cahill and Kewell also
started all six games.
Cahill did miss the majority of the
37
Tim Cahill
T
owering Nagoya Grampus striker Josh Kennedy missed Australias run to
the 2011 AFC Asian Cup fnal after injury prevented the two-time J.League
top scorer from making the trip to Qatar.
But the 1.94m tall striker marked his return to the side with four goals in fve
games during the third round of World Cup qualifers which included a double
as Australia beat Saudi Arabia 3-1 in Dammam.
Kennedy moved to Germany in 2001 as an 18-year-old, joining Vf Wolfsburg
before signing for Nurnberg prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he made
substitute appearances against Japan and Croatia. Following the tournament,
he snapped his Achilles tendon and missed the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
But following an unsuccessful spell with Karlsruhe, Kennedy moved to Japan
in 2009 and fnished the 2010 season as the J.League joint top scorer before
again fnishing on top of the leagues scoring charts one year later.
Kennedy appeared twice for Australia at the 2010 World Cup but missed the
2011 AFC Asian Cup due to a back injury.
T
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
Holger Osieck, who was assistant
to Franz Beckenbauer when
Germany won the 1990 FIFA World
Cup, was appointed Australia coach in
August 2010 and led the Socceroos to
the 2011 AFC Asian Cup fnal.
In his native Germany, Osieck played
for Schalke 04, Eintracht Gelsenkirchen,
SSV Hagen, FC Mlheim and FC
Bocholt, although he never played in
the top-fight Bundesliga. Following
his retirement, Osieck worked under
Beckenbauer before spells as manager
of Germanys VfL Bochum, Fenerbahe
in Turkey and Urawa Reds in Japan.
He returned to Canada in 1999
after ending his playing career with
Vancouver Whitecaps to guide the
national team to victory in the 2000
CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Osieck worked for FIFA between
2004 and 2006 as chief of their technical
department before returning to Urawa in
2007 and leading the J.League side to
the AFC Champions League title.
He left Saitama in March 2008
following a poor start to the new
domestic season before succeeding
Pim Verbeek as Australia head coach
prior to the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
H
Holger Osieck
Josh Kennedy
im Cahill will be forever etched in Australias FIFA World Cup history after
becoming the frst Australian player to score at the fnals following his opening
goal against Japan in Germany 2006.
A boxtobox player with amazing aerial ability, Cahill had only made his Australia
debut two years earlier following changes to FIFA eligibility rules after he featured
for Samoa in a youth tournament.
Cahill helped Millwall reach the English FA Cup fnal in 2004 before joining
Premier League side Everton and would go on to establish himself as a cult hero
for the Toffees as well as Australia.
After featuring in all three games in Germany, Cahill fought off injury to help
Australia reach the quarter-fnals of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.
He was again central as Australia qualifed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup fnals
and scored against Serbia.
IRAQS SUCCESS AT THE AFC ASIAN CUP IN 2007 WAS
EXPECTED TO SEE THE MIDDLE EASTERN NATION
LAUNCH A SERIOUS CHALLENGE FOR A PLACE AT
THE FIFA WORLD CUP, BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT
FOR THE VETERANS OF THE NATIONS GOLDEN
GENERATION
IRAQ
ver since scaling the heights of their AFC Asian Cup
success in 2007, the clock has been ticking for Iraq
as the desire to notch up another appearance at the FIFA
World Cup fnals becomes increasingly frantic.
Victory over Saudi Arabia in Jakarta in 2007 delivered
the countrys frst-ever continental championship and
made headlines across the world as the war-ravaged nation
was heralded for triumphing over adversity.
Despite the well documented issues at home, Iraq have,
throughout the last decade, excelled at many levels in Asian
competitions, winning the AFC Under 19 Championship in
2000, reaching the semifnals of the Olympic Games in
2004 and winning the AFC Asian Cup three years later.
But the one achievement that is missing from the resume
of the current squad is an appearance at the FIFA World
Cup fnals. And, as age steadily catches up with the AFC
Asian Cup winning generation, the time to deliver on the
decade of promise is running out.
Iraq have qualifed for the FIFA World Cup once
before, reaching the fnals in Mexico in 1986 following
a playof win over Syria to join Korea Republic as Asias
representatives at the tournament, where they lost all three
matches against Paraguay, Belgium and the hosts.
That qualifcation came during a rich vein of form for
the Iraqis, which saw them dominate the game in the Gulf
alongside great rivals Kuwait. The two nations alternated
victories in the Gulf Cup tournament, with Iraq claiming
the title in 1979, 1984 and 1988.
After a relatively fallow period during the 1990s largely
due to the problems created in the nation in the aftermath
of the Gulf War Iraqi football witnessed a resurgence at
the turn of the millennium, kick started by the countrys
win at the AFC Under 19 Championship in Iran.
A 16-year-old Nashat Akram featured alongside the likes
E
41
41
A run to the quarterfnals of the AFC
Asian Cup fnals in Qatar in 2011 when
they lost in extra time in a pulsating clash
with Australia saw Iraqs defence of their
continental title come to an end, and now
all eyes are focused on fnally booking that
FIFA World Cup berth.
Wolfgang Sidka, who coached the team
during the AFC Asian Cup, steered the team
into the third round of qualifying before
being replaced by former Japan coach Zico
in the days before their frst game against
Jordan.
A loss at the hands of the Adnan Hamad-
coached Jordanians was soon forgotten
thanks to a comfortable win over Singapore
and back-to-back wins over China, both of
which came thanks to solitary strikes by
Mahmood.
Victory against
Jordan in their
return fxture and
a comprehensive
7-1 demolition of
the Singaporeans
sealed top spot in
the group for the
Iraqis, leaving them
in fne fettle going
into the fnal round
of qualifying.
Its now
important to work
and work and work,
said Zico following
the draw, which
has pit Iraq against
Japan, Australia,
Oman and Jordan.
The problem for
Iraq is that the
last two games are
against Japan and Australia in Australia
and thats difcult.
Our team has a lot of good experience
but now the team is more of a group, not
like individuals. Im very happy now because
the problem is that before we didnt have
time before to prepare.
of Emad Mohammad and goalkeeper Noor
Sabri in a team that would go on to form
the core of the national team for the next
decade and more.
The addition of the goal scoring talents
of Younus Mahmood added increased
potency to the team
that went on to
represent Iraq at the
Olympic Games four
years later.
The qualifying
tournament for the
FIFA World Cup
fnals in Germany in
2006 came too early
for this young band
of players, who fell
in the penultimate
round to Uzbekistan.
By the time the AFC
Asian Cup had come
around, though, the
Iraqis were ready to
spring one of the
greatest surprises
in the history of
the continental
championship, seeing
of Australia, Vietnam and Korea Republic
on the way to the title.
An appearance at the FIFA World Cup in
South Africa was the next target set for the
Iraqis, but a controversial loss against Qatar
in the penultimate round of qualifying
ended those hopes.
Every touch of technical mastery adds to
a beautiful harmony of comfort and design.
Washlet Function Auto Open and Close
Stick-type
Remote Control Soft Lighting Automatic Flush
43
Nashat Akram
entral midfelder Nashat Akram has been the heart and soul of the Iraq team
throughout much of the last decade.
He won the AFC Under 19 Championship in Iran in 2000 under coach Adnan
Hamad before going on to be one of the key players in Iraqs run to the semifnals
of the football tournament at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
From there he established himself as the fulcrum of the national side and it was
his drive and creativity from the middle that pushed Iraq towards victory at the
fnals of the AFC Asian Cup in 2007.
Like many of his compatriots, Akram is well-travelled and is one of only a handful
of Middle Eastern players to have played professionally in Europe, including a stint
with FC Twente in the Netherlands, where he was part of the clubs Eredivisie-
winning squad in 2010.
C
raqs captain Younus Mahmood is one of the most recognisable faces in Asian
football with the veteran strikers most famous moment coming in the fnal
of the AFC Asian Cup in 2007, when he scored the winning goal against Saudi
Arabia.
Mahmood, however, has been scoring regularly for club and country throughout
the last decade and his consistent form in front of goal makes him one of the
most feared marksmen in the Asian game.
A key member of the squad that reached the semifnals of the Olympic Games
in 2004, Mahmoods goals have been responsible for steering Iraq towards
the upper end of the continental scene and his six strikes in fve games were
responsible for Iraq reaching the fnal phase of qualifying for Brazil 2014.
Despite being linked with a move to Europe on numerous occasions and in
particular in the aftermath of the AFC Asian Cup victory Mahmood has played
most of his professional career in Qatar, where he is currently employed by Al
Wakrah after a fruitful fve-year stint with Al Gharafa.
I
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
razilian legend Zico took over
as Iraq coach in August 2011,
just days ahead of the countrys
opening clash in the third phase of
qualifying for the FIFA World Cup
finals.
The 59-year-old, who represented
his nation as a player at the FIFA
World Cup in 1978, 1982 and 1986,
is no stranger to the Asian scene,
having famously steered Japan to
the AFC Asian Cup title in 2004 and
to the finals of the FIFA World Cup
in 2006.
Since then he has worked
throughout Europe and Asia. He led
Turkish side Fenerbahce into the
UEFA Champions League, guiding
the team to the quarterfinals in 2008
before taking the reins at Bunyodkor
in Uzbekistan.
Stints at CSKA Moscow and
Olympiakos followed before he
joined Iraq as a replacement for
Wolfgang Sidka, whose contract
was not renewed.
B
Zico
Younus Mahmood
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Toyota Motor Corporation is the ofcial sponsor of
ADNAN HAMEDS SIDE ARE SEEKING TO CONTINUE
A RISE TO THE UPPER LEVEL OF ASIAN FOOTBALL
THAT HAS BEEN AS QUICK AS IT HAS BEEN
IMPRESSIVE
JORDAN
n less than a decade, Jordans national football team
has gone from being on the periphery of the Asian
game to harbouring genuine hopes of qualifying for the
countrys frst ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup
fnals.
Progressing to the fnal phase of Asias qualifying
tournament for Brazil 2014 underlines the improvements
made by a national team that has built on the success of
the countrys clubs in the AFC Cup and which is looking
at establishing itself among the regional elite.
It was not always the case for Jordan, however. The
country qualifed for the AFC Asian Cup fnals for the
frst time back in 2004, a success that had the entire
nation on the edge of its seat.
Led by Egyptian coach Mahmoud El Gohary, the work
in the early part of the decade laid the foundations for
the current standing of Jordanian football as the team
reached the quarterfnals, eliminated only on penalties by
eventual winners Japan.
Club sides, too, started to taste success at continental
level. Al Faisaly, from the capital Amman, won the AFC
Cup tournament in 2005 before retaining the title 12
months later, with current national team boss Adnan
Hamad at the helm.
I
47
opinion. We changed many ideas for the
players and we put the challenge into the
players heads.
Hamad led a turnaround that not only
took the team to the fnals of the AFC
Asian Cup in Qatar and their run ended
in the quarterfnals again, this time at the
hands of Uzbekistan.
But, where the 2004 teams progress
stalled, Hamad has overseen a continuation
in the current squads development.
The Jordanians reached the fnal phase
of Asias qualifying tournament for the
2014 FIFA World Cup fnals in Brazil by
seeing of the challenge of China and
Singapore to qualify from Group A of the
third round alongside Iraq.
And the team that Hamad has built
features a fne balance of youth and
experience.
Goalkeeper Amer
Shafa remains
from the squad that
caused such a stir
at the AFC Asian
Cup in 2004, as
does captain Bashar
Bani Yaseen and his
deputy, midfelder
Amer Deeb.
Members of the
youth team that
featured in Canada
in 2007 have also
manage to stake
a claim to a place
in the squad, with
defender Mohammad
Al Dmeiri, mid-
felders Baha Abdul
Rahman and Raed
Al Nawateer as well
as prolifc forward Abdallah Deeb among
those regularly chosen.
Hamads team is a robust side that also
features pace and an impressive strike
force in Deeb and Odai Al Saify, one of
the frst Jordanians to play professionally
overseas.
Additionally, there was success at
youth level with the countrys youngsters
qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup in
Canada, the frst time any team from the
country had qualifed for the fnals of a
FIFA tournament.
Failure to reach the
AFC Asian Cup fnals
in South East Asia
in 2007, however,
saw Jordans
tale of continual
improvement stall
and, with the
country missing out
on a place in the fnal
phase of qualifying
for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup, coach
Nelo Vingada was
replaced.
In his place came
Hamad, who proved
to be the fnal piece
in the puzzle as the
Jordanians rapidly
made up for lost
time.
I just tried to
give them more confdence because this is
very important in the team, said Hamad
of the work he did to lift the fortunes of
the team upon his arrival as national team
coach.
The team needs to be like a family,
you need that in a football team in my
49
HEAD COACH
dnan Hamads career has seen
the Iraq-born tactician hailed
as one of the most talented coaches
working on the continental scene, with
a track record that surpasses many of
his higher profle peers.
The 51-year-old has overseen a
rapid improvement in the fortunes of
the Jordan national team since he took
over following the countrys failure to
reach the fnal phase of qualifying for
the 2010 FIFA World Cup fnals.
Hamads track record by that stage
was already impressive and he came
to continental prominence by taking
Iraq to the semi-fnals of the Olympic
Games in Athens in 2004.
The frst of Hamads signifcant
achievements came in 2000, when
he guided Iraqs Under 19 team to the
AFC U-19 Championship, and that
side formed the core of the team that
reached the last four of the Olympics
in 2004, a feat that earned him the
title of AFC Coach of the Year.
Hamads career was to take another turn
in 2006 when he signed up with Jordans
Al Faisaly and he won the AFC Cup title in
his frst season in charge.
A
Adnan Hamad
Abdallah Deeb
raduate of the side that represented Jordan at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in
Canada in 2007, Abdallah Deeb carries the countrys main goal threat as
the Jordanians seek to qualify for their frst ever FIFA World Cup fnals.
Presently in his second stint with Al Wehdat in the Jordanian league, Deebs
performances convinced Belgian side KV Mechelen to sign him for a season in
2009.
Deeb started his career with Al Wehdat before joining Al Riffa club in Bahrain
and then returning home for sign for Shabab Al Ordon prior to his one-season
stint in Belgium.
A return to Shabab Al Ordon was followed by a move to Al Wehdat for the
25-year-old while his contributions in front of goal for the national team have
continued unabated.
G
KEY PLAYERS
Odai Al Saify
dai Al Saify has risen to prominence as one of Jordans key players since
graduating to the full national team after a successful stint with the countrys
under-23 side.
The shaven-headed front man became the frst Jordanian to play in Europe when
he signed for Greek side Skoda Xanthi before spenting a season on loan in Cyprus
with Alki Larnaca.
Currently on the books of Kuwaiti club Al Salmiya, Al Saify is the talisman of the
Jordanian side and his pace and movement have contributed to much of the national
teams success, even if he has a limited goals return.
The 26-year-old can also operate as a winger or in midfeld, where his passing and
vision can cause the opposition considerable diffculties.
O
OMAN HAVE BOOKED A PLACE IN THE FINAL
PHASE OF QUALIFYING FOR THE FIFA WORLD
CUP FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN THEIR
HISTORY. CAN ALI AL HABSI AND HIS TEAM
SPRING A SURPRISE AND QUALIFY FOR BRAZIL
2014?
OMAN
ts not so long ago Oman were among the whipping boys of
Asian football: last place fnishes in regional competitions
were the norm right up until the late 1990s.
But, over the last decade, Oman have established themselves
among the leading nations of the Middle East, progressing to
the fnal round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the
second time in their history while producing one of Asian
footballs most outstanding individual players.
The performances of goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi in the English
Premier League with Wigan Athletic have highlighted football
in Oman and the former Bolton Wanderers custodian has
played a major role in his nations rise to prominence.
Oman, though, have not always been able to boast world
class individuals and impressive results against Asias fnest.
The countrys frst appearance in the latter stages of
qualifying for the FIFA World Cup came in the tournament
to decide the participants for the 2002 fnals in South Korea
and Japan.
Then, the Milan Macala-coached team fnished bottom of
their group but gained invaluable experience for the future
and, two years later,they were mixing it with the continents
best again at the AFC Asian Cup fnals in China.
Fired by the goal scoring of Hani Al Dhabit and the
emerging talents of goalkeeper Al Habsi, Oman threatened
to muscle in on the established order.
A runners-up fnish at the 2003 Gulf Cup and an
I
52 53
of the Gulf Cup.
Following Le Roys departure, the Oman
Football Association chose another French
coach to follow with former Lyon and
Rangers manager Paul Le Guen appointed to
the post.
I want to make a team with a good mix
of experienced and young players, said the
48-year-old soon after his appointment.
There are reserves who deserve to be given
a chance. They are ready to replace those
who are not performing.
Le Guen was thrust into the midst of
qualifying for the FIFA World Cup fnals
almost immediately seeing of Myanmar to
reach the third phase of the competition.
Drawn against Saudi Arabia, Australia and
Thailand in the third round of qualifying,
Omans hopes of progressing to the fnal
phase were seen as
remote and those
perceptionschanged
little after the frst
three matches when
Le Guens side picked
up just one point
via a scoreless draw
with Saudi Arabia at
home.
That point,
however, was to prove
crucial as, despite
mounting pressure,
the OFA decided to
stick with Le Guen.
It was a decision that
was to prove decisive
as the French coach
steered his team to a
surprise 1-0 win over
Australia courtesy of
a 18th minute goal
from Amad Al Hosni.
The win over the Socceroos was to prove
the catalyst to Omans progress. It was
followed by another draw with the Saudis
and a 2-0 win over Thailand that ensured Le
Guen and his team advanced at the expense
of Saudi Arabia.
appearance at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup
underlined the improvements made while
three years later they again reached the Gulf
Cup fnal and this time lost out to hosts the
United Arab Emirates 1-0.
That loss brought to an end Macalas
second stint at the
helm of the team and
the Czech coachs
departure was
expected, in some
quarters, to bring
with it a decline in the
teams performance
and Oman duly
struggled at the AFC
Asian Cup later the
same year.
But, after a period
of readjustment under
Claude Le Roy, the
Omanis took the fnal
step towards regional
success, beating Saudi
Arabia on penalties in
the 2009 fnal of the
Gulf Cup to fnally
be crowned winners
of arguably the most
keenly-contested tournament in the Arab
world.
The fckle nature of football, however, hit
home a year later for both Oman and their
French coach as Le Roy saw his contract
terminated as the defending champions
missed out on a place in the knockoutphase
HEAD COACH
aul Le Guen was appointed
Oman coach in June 2011 and
he has built on the success of his
predecessors to take the team into
the fnal phase of qualifying for the
2014 FIFA World Cup.
Le Guen made his name as head
coach of Lyon, steering the club to
three consecutive Ligue 1 titles in
France and to the quarterfnals of the
UEFA Champions League.
He stood down at the end of the
2004/05 season and took time off
from the game despite approaches
from some leading European clubs.
After a disappointing stint at
Scottish giants Rangers, he spent
two-and-a-half seasons with Paris
Saint Germain and he reestablished
his standing within the coaching
world, winning the French League
Cup in 2008 as well as taking PSG to
the fnal of the French Cup.
His time at PSG was followed by
a move to Cameroon, steering the
country to the fnals of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup fnals before taking over as
Oman coach in June 2011, replacing
compatriot Claude Le Roy.
P
Paul Le Guen
Ali Al Habsi
mans most famous football export, Ali Al Habsi has established himself as one
of Asian footballs highest profle players thanks to his exploits in the English
Premier League with Wigan Athletic.
A former part-time freman, Al Habsi played a key role in ensuring Wigan maintained
their status in the Premier League this season having blossomed into one of the best
keepers in England since his move to the club from Bolton Wanderers in 2010.
Discovered by former Oman goalkeeper coach John Burridge, Al Habsi has been
an ever-present for his national side throughout most of the last decade and on his
last visit to Japan saved a penalty from Shunsuke Nakamura in a game Japan went
on to win 1-0.
Al Habsi played every minute during the third round of qualifers for the 2014 FIFA
World Cup, keeping four clean sheets in six games.
O
Amad Al Hosni
mad Al Hosni has taken over from the prolifc Hani Al Dhabit as the sharp
edge of Omans attack.
The well-travelled 27-year-old striker started his career with Al Khaburah
before stints in Saudi Arabia with Al Riyadh and Qatar with Qatar Sports Club
and Al Rayyan.
Al Hosni was the top scorer at the 2004 Gulf Cup and fve years later, played a
central role as Oman won the title.
Goals followed Al Hosni wherever he went, earning him a move to Belgian club
Charleroi, but within a year he had moved back to the Middle East, signing for Al
Rayyan before moving to Jeddah-based Al Ahli.
And Al Hosni scored 15 goals in 22 appearances as Al Ahli fnished as runners-
up in the 2011/12 Saudi League season.

A
KEY PLAYERS
JAPAN ARE CHASING A FIFTH STRAIGHT
APPEARANCE AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS
TO GO ALONGSIDE THEIR RECORD FOURTH AFC
ASIAN CUP TITLE AND ALBERTO ZACCHERONIS
SQUAD WILL BE AMONG THE FAVOURITES TO
ADVANCE TO BRAZIL 2014
JAPAN
wo years ago, prior to boarding the plane to Europe and
their fnal preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup fnals
in South Africa, Japanese football was in the doldrums.
A series of lacklustre performances, capped by a
comprehensive 3-0 loss at the hands of a Park Ji-sung-
inspired Korea Republic at Saitama Stadium, more than hinted
towards a short sojourn in South Africa for Takeshi Okada and
his team.
That the Japanese progressed to the Round of 16 and were
a penalty shootout against Paraguay away from a place in the
quarterfnals for the frst time in their history came not only
as a surprise, but served to give the Japan national team a
much-needed shot in the arm.
Football in the post-2010 World Cup Japan is an
altogether diferent proposition in comparison to the
issues that haunted the sport in the country ahead of the
tournament.
The appointment of Alberto Zaccheroni might have come
as a surprise amid speculation linking a number of Spanish
candidates with the post, but the Italian has built on the
positive atmosphere that permeated Japanese football in the
aftermath of South Africa.
Little more than six months after Japans return from the
World Cup, Zaccheroni despite only taking charge of the
T
57
have good preparation every time we have a
game. Thats the most important.
The continuing success of Japanese
football has seen Zaccheronis task grow
increasingly difcult with the coach required
to pull together a team that now features a
signifcant number of players scattered across
Europe.
The English Premier League, the Bundesliga,
Serie A and the leagues of the Netherlands
and Belgium are among those that now
feature members of Japans national team
squad, a far cry from when Japan appeared
at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Back then, as debutants at the tournament,
Japans entire squad was playing in the
J.League.
And despite the dispersion of the squad around
Europe and beyond, Zaccheroni continues to
scour J.League sides
the length and breadth
of the country for fresh
talent to add to his
team.
As a result of the
growing overseas
contingent and the
J.League increasing
international profle,
there is little left
unknown about the
Japanese but the
former AC Milan and
Juventus coach is not
concerned about the
high profle of his
squad.
It doesnt bother
me that our opponents
know us, Zaccheroni
said. I will study our
opponents to fnd out
as much as they know about us.
The teams in this round are the top 10 in
Asia. We respect our opponents and will work on
our preparation for the games against them.
Our fnal objective is to play well in the
World Cup. Whoever comes to play us, the
important thing is to play our own game.
squad in October 2010 and playing just two
friendly matches claimed a record fourth
AFC Asian Cup title for the country.
Zaccheronis team overcame a number
of injuries including to star playmaker
Shinji Kagawa and suspensions to see
of Korea Republic
in the semifnals
and Australia in the
fnal in Qatar as a
new generation of
Japanese footballers
wrote their names into
the history books.
Now, the Italian is
ready to continue the
work he started so
well by taking Japan
to another FIFA World
Cup.
Now, I feel like a
student before my
fnal exam; after
studying hard and
well, all you need to
do is take the exam,
Zaccheroni said after
the draw for the fnal
round of qualifying in
Kuala Lumpur in March.
I have a full faith in our players. I know
they are ready mentally and they have the
spirit to fght in the qualifers and go to the
fnals.
All we need to do is have good preparation
regarding ftness and make sure the players
58
Shinji Kagawa
hinji Kagawa has blossomed into one of Asian footballs highest profle
and most successful overseas-based players since his move from Cerezo
Osaka to Borussia Dortmund, where he has played a key role in the clubs back-
to-back Bundesliga championship wins in the last two seasons.
The 23-year-old became Japans most successful football export in front of
goal during the 2011/12 season, scoring 13 times for Dortmund in the league,
and he brings a similar potency to the attack of the national side.
At the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Kagawa scored twice in the thrilling quarter-fnal
win over hosts Qatar but fractured the ffth metatarsal in his right foot in the
semi-fnal success over Korea Republic and missed the fnal.
S
KEY PLAYERS
HEAD COACH
hen former Juventus and
AC Milan manager Alberto
Zaccheroni was named Japan
head coach, the announcement came
as a surprise.
But the 59-year-old, who had never
previously worked outside his native
Italy, put any reservations behind him
quickly as he steered Japan to an
unprecedented fourth AFC Asian Cup
title in Qatar in January 2011, just
months after his appointment.
Zaccheroni, who won the Serie A
title in 1999 with Milan, overhauled
the squad Okada had taken to the
FIFA World Cup fnals in South Africa,
introducing a new style of play and
regularly scouting J.League clubs the
length and breadth of the country as
he sought out untried talent.
His fresh approach has invigorated
the Japan team and qualifcation for
the fnal phase of Asias qualifying
tournament for the 2014 FIFA World
Cup fnals was achieved with two
games to spare, allowing the coach
the opportunity to further experiment
with his team.
W
Alberto Zaccheroni
Makoto Hasebe
ormer Urawa Reds midfelder Makoto Hasebe played a key role in Japans
success at the AFC Asian Cup fnals in Qatar at the start of 2011 as the Vf
Wolfsburg midfelder put in a series of commanding displays to steer the country
to a record fourth continental crown.
A winner of the AFC Champions League in 2007 during his time with Urawa,
Hasebe - whose slick passing and reading of the game see him operate at the
heart of Japans midfeld - became the frst Japanese player to win the Bundesliga
title when he was a regular member in the Vf Wolfsburg squad that was crowned
German champions in 2009.
Hasebe started every game during the third round of qualifers for the 2014
FIFA World Cup, a feat he also achieved in Qatar at the start of 2011.
F
I AM EASY FOR EVERYONE