Earlier, the draw for the top 18 of the Asian region of the World Preliminary Championships ended, and the national football team was divided into Group C, and the opponents in the same group were Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Indonesia. Since the national football team belongs to the 5th pot team, no matter which group it is divided into, the situation is similar. There will be 2 teams that are significantly higher, and the remaining 4 teams will compete for the other 2 spots to advance to Stage 4. So from the perspective of the grouping of the national football team, the signing operation is medium.
First of all, Japan are undoubtedly the top favourites to qualify directly. From the perspective of the configuration and strength of the players, Japan is currently the first brother in Asia, ranking above South Korea. A number of players play in Europe's top five leagues and are at the level of the main player. In the previous stage 2 group stage, the Japanese team won all 6 games, scored 24 goals and conceded 0 goals, showing an invincible attitude. In other words, the national football team drew an opponent that was almost impossible to beat, but on the other hand, it was also advantageous. Because Japan is recognized as strong, it is the same for everyone. The national football team cannot be beaten, and it will be difficult for other teams to score points against Japan.
In addition to Japan, Australia is undoubtedly another top 2 favourite. Australia also won all six of their previous group stage 2 games, scoring 22 goals and conceding 0 goals. Although the strength of Australian football has declined, it is still in the top 5 in Asia. If there are no surprises, Japan and Australia will qualify for the World Cup together, and the only suspense is the order of the top two.
According to the rules, the 3rd and 4th places in each group will advance to Stage 4. The six teams will then be divided into two groups of three teams, with the top team qualifying directly for the World Cup, and the second-placed team competing for a place in the intercontinental play-offs. Therefore, the most realistic goal of the national football team is to compete for the 3rd and 4th rankings. Judging from the remaining three opponents, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are undoubtedly more optimistic.
As a traditional powerhouse in Asian football, Saudi Arabia is currently ranked 56th in the world, with a total team value of 30.9 million euros. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in football, attracting a large number of European stars to invest, which has significantly improved the overall level of the league. Saudi Arabia has the strength to hit the top 2 and will not fall out of the top 4 at the least.
Indonesia has vigorously naturalized Dutch players in recent years, naturalizing 11 international players in half a year, so Indonesia is also known as the "Dutch three". In the second group stage, Indonesia also tasted the sweetness of naturalization. Ranked 134th in the world, he broke through from Group F with 10 points from 6 games, 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, and advanced to the round of 18. The national football team has played Indonesia 13 times in history, with 9 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss, and the only defeat was 67 years ago, scoring 30 goals and conceding only 9 goals. But today's Indonesia is no longer the Wuxia Amon of the past, and a number of naturalized international players have made a leap in overall strength. In Group C, Indonesia is more than capable of competing for the top 4 spots.
Finally, there is Bahrain, the national football team and Bahrain have met a total of 7 times, 3 wins and 4 draws remain unbeaten, scoring 14 goals and conceding 8 goals. However, the last four meetings have all ended in draws, with the last win coming in 1994. It can only be said that the opponents are getting stronger, and the national football team is sailing against the current, and if it does not advance, it will retreat. Seeing such a grouping situation, many fans have begun to shout pessimistically: "It's over". But again, the most realistic goal of the national football team is to fight for the fourth and strive to enter the fourth stage, and a higher goal is unrealistic.