2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round
The AFC Fourth Round of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification was decided by a random draw conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 27 June 2008. The round commenced on 6 September 2008, and finished on 17 June 2009.
The top two countries in each group at the end of the stage qualified directly to the World Cup Finals in South Africa, with the two third-placed countries advancing to the AFC play-off.
Format
The 10 teams (2 teams from each group in the third round) were divided into four pots for the draw, three containing two teams and one containing four. The seeding for the fourth round was based on that used in the third round draw, but Saudi Arabia and Japan (seeded equal 4th in that draw) were separated by a random selection held at the start of the fourth round draw. The pots were as follows:
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
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The 10 teams were split into two groups of five teams each – each containing one team from each of Pots 1, 2 and 3, as well as 2 teams from Pot 4.
The top two teams in each group qualified for the World Cup Finals, with the two third-placed sides advancing to a playoff. All teams played home and away against each of the other four teams in the group.
Group A
|
|
- Australia and Japan qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
- Bahrain advanced to the AFC play-off.
Japan  |
1–1 |  Qatar |
|---|---|---|
Al Binali  3' (o.g.) |
Report | Afif 53' (pen.) |
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama Attendance: 60,256 Referee: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia) |
Group B
|
|
- South Korea and North Korea qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
- Saudi Arabia advanced to the AFC play-off.
United Arab Emirates  |
1–2 |  North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Saeed 86' |
Report | Choe Kum-Chol 72' An Chol-Hyok 81' |
Al Jazira Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Attendance: 10,000 Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan) |
South Korea  |
4–1 | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Keun-Ho 20', 80' Park Ji-sung 26' Kwak Tae-Hwi 89' |
Report | Al Hammadi 72' |
Saudi Arabia  |
3–2 | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Otaif 4' (pen.) Juma 70' (o.g.) Hazazi 85' |
Report | Al Shehhi 38' Matar 45+1' |
Goalscorers
As of 17 June, there have been 81 goals scored in 40 games, for an average of 2.03 goals per game.
- 3 goals
- 2 goals
- 1 goal
- Own goals
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|
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Notes
Several Iranian players started their away match against South Korea wearing green armbands or wristbands, a symbol of protest at the outcome of the Iranian presidential election.[2] Most removed them at half-time. The newspaper Iran reported that Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hosein Kaebi, and Vahid Hashemian had received life bans from the Iranian FA for the gesture.[3] However, the Iranian FA denied this claim in a response to FIFA's inquiry saying that "the comments in foreign media are nothing but lies and a mischievous act."[4] The Iran national team head coach Afshin Ghotbi also confirmed that it was a rumour and Iranian FA "has not taken any official stand on this issue."[5]
References
- ↑ Match played in Shanghai, China, as was the corresponding fixture in the Third Round, as North Korea refused to play the anthem and fly the flag of South Korea.
- ↑ "Iranian football team shows support for Mousavi with green arm bands at Seoul World Cup qualifier". The Daily Telegraph. London. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
- ↑ Tiat, Robert (25 June 2009). "Iranian players receive life bans for gestures". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
- ↑ "Iran denies punishing players for wearing green wristbands". London: The Daily Telegraph. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
- ↑ Bell, Jack (26 June 2009). "Iran Did Not Suspend Players, Coach Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2009.