FIFA.com - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - News

Worries aplenty for Asian media

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:34:00 GMT

Despite the early qualification of some Asian teams, their ability to negotiate the next stage of FIFA World Cup qualifying is under media scrutiny.

Newcomers advance at first try

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:41:00 GMT

In the first of five reviews of the third stage of Asian qualifying for South Africa 2010, FIFA.com looks back at the drama of Asian Group 1.

Iraq out as Qatar, UAE progress

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:53:00 GMT

Qatar are through to the final round of Asian qualifying after defeating Iraq in Dubai, while UAE advanced despite losing 3-1 to Syria.

Make or break for Asian quartet

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:13:00 GMT

The focus in Asia will be on the battle between four sides - Iraq, Qatar in Dubai, UAE and Syria - for two places in the next round of qualifiers.

Asian line-up nearly complete

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:24:00 GMT

Korea DPR, Korea Republic, Bahrain, Japan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia booked a place in the next phase of qualifying for South Africa 2010.

China crash out

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:34:00 GMT

Iraq kept their South Africa 2010 hopes alive at the expense of China, who were eliminated from finals contention after a 2-1 defeat.

Shadow of 2006 over China

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:01:00 GMT

In the Asian qualifying series for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, China fell at an early stage. Lightning may strike twice on Saturday.

Absences worry Asian giants

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:55:00 GMT

In Groups 1 and 2 of Asian qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, two of the fancied nations go into this weekend's matches deprived of key players.

Uzbekistan storm into last ten

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:42:00 GMT

Uzbekistan advanced to the next phase of Asian qualifying, while Saudi Arabia, Korea DPR, Korea Republic, and Iran were also winners on Saturday.

Qatar triumph in Tianjin

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:08:00 GMT

A penalty from Sebastian Quintana was enough to give Qatar a 1-0 win over hosts China, catapulting them into joint top spot in Asian Group 1.

Progression within reach in Asia

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:02:00 GMT

Australia and Bahrain are among the teams that can seal progression to the fourth round of AFC qualifying for the FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

Media reflects on highs and lows

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Some teams earned praise, others came in for criticism. FIFA.com looks at the local media's reaction to the latest set of Asian Zone qualifiers.

Asian hosts target full hauls

Fri, 30 May 2008 09:26:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a closer look at the crucial forthcoming matches in Groups 1 and 2 in the third phase of Asian qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Press react to Asian surprises

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:39:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up what the press said following the latest round of qualifiers for South Africa 2010. As you might expect, reaction was mixed.

Bahrain the biggest winners

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:18:00 GMT

Bahrain shocked Japan 1-0 in their FIFA World Cup qualifier, while China held Australia and the two Koreas also fought to a goalless draw.

Schwarzer saves Socceroos

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:46:00 GMT

Shao Jiayi had a late penalty saved as China drew 0-0 with Australia despite a furious second-half onslaught in the crunch AFC qualifier.

Giants on their travels

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:51:00 GMT

Australia, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia made light work of their third round openers, but they face stern challenges on Matchday 2.

Qualifiers hog Asian headlines

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:12:00 GMT

Asia's media gave a mixed reaction to their teams' South Africa 2010 preliminaries, with the Australian and South Korean press the happiest.

Aussies light the Asian way

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:10:00 GMT

There were few surprises in Asian FIFA World Cup qualifying on Wednesday as the established sides and new boys Australia ruled the day in style.

China draw with 10-man Iraq

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:44:58 GMT

Asian champions Iraq battled to a 1-1 draw with China in Dubai in the opening game of their qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Who will be No1 in Group 1?

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:48:00 GMT

Asia's qualifying Group 1 for South Africa houses four evenly matched teams. Will it be Australia, China, Iraq or Qatar that takes top spot?

Underdogs prepare for their day

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:48:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at Wednesday's four South Africa 2010 qualifiers in the Middle East involving some of Asia's lesser-known sides.

Asian giants target opening wins

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:47:00 GMT

The qualifiers for South Africa 2010 get underway in Asia on Wednesday, with the continent's top five teams all targeting emphatic victories.

Asian route marked out

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:42:00 GMT

Asia's FIFA World Cup preliminaries have been decided, with the continent's big five set to start with home fixtures against the groups' underdogs.

Petrovic: Time to rebuild confidence

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:34:00 GMT

China's national coach Vladimir Petrovic tells FIFA.com of his desire to restore confidence to a team he considers well capable of reaching South Africa.

Aussies face tough test

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:54:00 GMT

Australia will be the favourites to progress to Group 1 in the Asian Zone, although Iraq, China PR and Qatar will provide stiff opposition.

Asia's ups and downs

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:51:00 GMT

The Asian confederation has produced more than its fair share of joy and drama in FIFA World Cup qualifying down through the years.

Favourites clear first hurdle

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:25:00 GMT

Despite some courageous underdog attempts, the favourites all completed aggregate wins to clear the first hurdle in the race to South Africa 2010.

Aspirants out to preserve dream

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:30:20 GMT

Fifteen decisive first round, second leg matches will take place on Sunday as Asia takes a step towards determining its representatives in South Africa.

Chinese dealt Zhi blow

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:44:26 GMT

China PR will be without their captain Zheng Zhi when they take on Myanmar in a South Africa 2010 qualifying double-header.