WC Qualifying Review (Round 3 MD9 & 10)

It’s been a lengthy process, but two and a half years later from once we began, we have finished the automatic stage of Asian World Cup qualification. Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia joined Iran as Asia’s four guaranteed representatives in Russia next summer, while we have yet another tangible chance of representation with outsiders Syria joining Australia in the playoff rounds before the year is out. For much of the predictability that had come before, September’s batch of qualifiers were a feast for the eyes, here’s my look back at the winners and losers from the week.

The Player

Arguably the longest reaching story of this round of World Cup qualification has been Syria’s progress over the campaign. Despite being tipped to perform by Asian football fans back in 2015, I doubt few of us who made such claims thought they’d ever have a realistic shot at a place in Russia, which they have now engineered themselves with an appearance in the WCQ playoffs. Critics may question their style of play, but their dogged defensive tactics were given a reboot this last week, scoring more than 1 away from home for the first time (breaking a previously impenetrable Iran defence twice) while recording their first non-1-0 win of the stage with a 3-1 win against Qatar on Thursday.

One player’s return can be attributed to their improved fortunes in attack, that of Omar Al-Somah. The hottest striker in the Middle East, Al-Somah’s refusal to accept a call up for Syria were well known, but over the summer the enticing news spread that a return was imminent. In his first two appearances in Syrian red, his presence was instantly felt; the team could set up with a focal point which could help the ball stick. Shifting previous lone frontman Omar Khribin out wide worked wonders (scoring the first two against Qatar), while Al-Somah’s threat was sometimes too much to ignore even when he hadn’t got the ball (see Al-Mawas’ poorly defended goal to end that match).

Al-Somah proved his goalscoring threat away at the Azadi, against the best side in Asia, who hadn’t been breached in this round of qualification. A trademark Ronaldo-esc free kick was too hot to handle for Iranian keeper Beiranvand, slipping it to Khribin for the opener, while his last minute leveller sparked scenes of delirium from the bench as Syria ensured progression. There’s a long way to go yet, with Australia followed by an intercontinental playoff (possibly with a headline grabbing encounter against USA) to come, but with Al-Somah now leading the hunt in attack, this is far from the cautious Syrian side that started qualification.

The Team

When Bert van Marwijk took the reigns of the Saudi Arabia national team at the start of qualifying in 2015, I amongst many were admittedly skeptical of his ability to stabilise a notoriously difficult yet talented set of players to compete with the likes of Japan and Australia for a return to the World Cup after XX years away. In the end I was proven spectacularly wrong, with van Marwijk harnessing the true qualities of his squad to clinch qualification in the last match of the series, beating Japan in Jeddah on Tuesday.

After a stuttering start to the final stage of qualification, Saudi bubbled under the radar for much of this campaign, many assuming they wouldn’t be able to keep up their ominous run of form that clawed them over the line. Aside from the undoubted team effort and tactical masterclass from their Dutch coach there were more than the odd player who stood up and rose to the occasion.

Nawaf Al-Abed morphed from flamboyant but erratic playmaker into clinical match winner, scoring X amount of goals and crucially laying on the winner against Japan. Fahad Al-Muwallad, that historic goalscorer has started to live up to his undoubted potential, while defensively Al-Hilal stalwarts Salman Al-Faraj and Osama Hawsawi have taken responsibility, when before they often crumbled. Surely the Hawsawi badge of calamity can now be retired?

A year of euphoria and pride is to come as we inch towards Russia and a historic return for the Green Falcons. While some Asian fans will take this as just reward for van Marwijk and the national team, pressure will again be undoubtedly be on them from their home support to contest at the highest level. While on paper their squad is a notch below that of what they can hope to compete with, you wouldn’t count out Al-Abed and co to grasp their chance of a life time at next year’s grandest stage.

The Talking Point

Going into the final fixture goal difference was always likely to play a huge part in who would join Japan from Group A at next summer’s World Cup, yet after being billed as a cricket score chasing encounter, Australia frustrated attempts to thrash Thailand came up against a stubborn defence and inspirational keeper display. X amount of shots only materialised 1 goal, leaving Saudi Arabia in the knowledge a win of any kind at home would guarantee them a place in Russia, a task they obliged.

As continental champions, with the most expensive squad in Asia, playing some of the most eye catching tactical football around, with a reputable coach to boot, there can’t be any sugar coating of the fact, that not qualifying for the World Cup at the first attempt is a failure. Of course the playoff route offers up a second chance saloon for Ange Postecoglou, entering his final period as Socceroo coach before he presumably lands a job in Europe, with Syria and a potential 4th placed CONCACAF side to come.

The question marks surrounding their campaign have surrounded a number of deficiencies; scoring from open play (albeit this has been greatly improved upon), a reliance on the outgoing Tim Cahill (who looks to be finally phased out as a starter) and some pretty ineffectual away form. They remain as stated previously, the best side to watch in Asia, as this summer's Confederations Cup performances can prove witness to, however results continue to not come hand in hand (x points from three games in Russia).

Ahead of this final round of matches, I proposed it better for Asian football that Saudi Arabia progress automatically ahead of Australia in the Race of Russia, not out of any particular bias (if so I’d argue the other way if anything) but Australia’s greater capability to qualify against stiff North American opposition. Whether I’m swayed by the aesthetically pleasing approach from Postecoglou over van Marwijk’s more pragmatic direct thrust I’m beginning to wonder; either way I got my wish and we’ll be set for yet another set of defining matches in the Greek born coaches career.