I know most of the football news out there are centralized and focused more on football developed countries. I can also attest that Asia is still lagging in terms of football competitiveness among countries in European and South American regions. But you know what, these countries battles are the sweetest for me.
Photosource : fifa
The win is very crucial to the slightest chance of qualification and an "important" match to climb up the World standing. The teams rankings only have a few point difference and a "win" will make them climb up the standings (aside from the possibility of advancing through the next round).
This post is a summary of upsets in the first qualifying campaign match for FIFA World Cup 2022 (Asian Qualifier) and a possible entry in Asian Cup 2023.
North Korea 2 - 0 Lebanon
- Lebanon ranked 87th in the FIFA World Rankings while North Korea (Korea DPR) currently sits at 118th.
The goals from N.Korean striker Jong Il-gwan on the 7th and 56th minute made North Korea past Lebanon. With Lebanon being the highly favored to win, the North Koreans pulled an upset.
They now sit on top of the standings with 3 points in group H.
Mongolia 1 - 0 Myanmar
- Myanmar ranked 135th while Mongolia is on the fourth page of the FIFA world rankings sitting at 187th.
An early goal from Amaraa Dulguum on the 17th minute is enough to pull an upset against the heavily favored Myanmar. The defeated side had a lot of exposure because of the tough competition in South East Asia's AFF Suzuki cup.
Palestine 2 - 0 Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan is ranked 84th while Palestine is currently sitting at 102nd position in the World Cup standings.
A late surge of goals from Palestine's Oday Dabbagh on the 60th minute and Islam Batran on the 64th minute were the goals that made them past Uzbekistan in their opening match. With the win, Palestine sits on top of the standings after the Singapore-Yemen match had a draw 2-2.
Tajikistan 1 - 0 Kyrgyzstan
- Kyrgyzstan is ranked 95th while Tajikistan is sitting on 119th of the Fifa World Rankings.
Alisher Dzhalilov's only goal on the 41st minute was the key for Tajikistan to win against Kyrgyzstan as they celebrated the win in front of their countrymen and fans. This win gave them hope to advance in the next round considering the heavy favored teams to proceed in the next round are Japan and Kyrgyzstan.
I personally haven't watched all of the matches there but I was following these teams. Though I understand that the level of competition and quality of football they bring is really low compared to European/South American level, its their determination to climb in the standings and get that "hope" their country advances in the World Cup. Overall, its football and for me everything in football is beautiful. The game, the players, the fans, everything is amazing in football except racism and violence.
Fifa ranking source : https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/#
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