FIFA World Cup
Korea Republic, Japan and Australia continued their tradition of representing Asia, while 2014 marked a return after 16 years of absence for Islamic Republic of Iran, but unlike in South Africa four years earlier, there would be no AFC representation in the knockout stage this time.
Evergreen Cahill sets example for young Socceroos
What’s an Australian FIFA World Cup campaign without a Tim Cahill goal? That might have been the question on everyone’s lips as the 34-year-old Socceroos star scored against Chile in his side’s Group B opener of the 2014 edition in Cuiaba.
What’s an Australian FIFA World Cup campaign without a Tim Cahill goal? That might have been the question on everyone’s lips as the 34-year-old Socceroos star scored against Chile in his side’s Group B opener of the 2014 edition in Cuiaba.
Ange Postecoglou’s side were bound to find life difficult in Brazil after being drawn into a group along with both of the previous edition’s finalists – defending champions Spain and runners-up Netherlands – as well as a talented Chile side boasting big names like Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Bravo.
The Socceroos were 2-0 down when Cahill became the first Australian to score in three FIFA World Cups. The veteran could have then pulled his side level in the second half as he headed home a cross from Mathew Leckie, but the goal was chalked off for an offside as Australia were beaten 3-1.
The Socceroos were 2-0 down when Cahill became the first Australian to score in three FIFA World Cups. The veteran could have then pulled his side level in the second half as he headed home a cross from Mathew Leckie, but the goal was chalked off for an offside as Australia were beaten 3-1.
An Arjen Robben goal saw Australia trail 1-0 to the Netherlands, who had beaten the Spaniards 5-1 in their opener, early in their second outing. But that was when Cahill scored one of the most memorable goals in recent FIFA World Cup history.
Just a minute after going down, Cahill met an angled ball from the right with a stunning left-footed volley which left Jasper Cillessen in the Dutch goal a mere spectator and went in off the underside of the crossbar before he reeled off to carry out his trademark corner flag celebration as those in green and gold rejoiced in the stands
Just a minute after going down, Cahill met an angled ball from the right with a stunning left-footed volley which left Jasper Cillessen in the Dutch goal a mere spectator and went in off the underside of the crossbar before he reeled off to carry out his trademark corner flag celebration as those in green and gold rejoiced in the stands
The Socceroos then stunned the Oranje by taking the lead through a Mile Jedinak penalty as the hope of the upset was well and truly on, but it was shortlived as goals from Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay ultimately ended the dream to give Louis van Gaal’s side a hard-fought 3-2 win.
With Australia and holders Spain already eliminated ahead of their final match in Curitiba, there remained only pride to play for and it was the Spanish, after goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata, who picked up the three points following a 3-0 victory.
A campaign that offered some highs but ended in three defeats may have been tough to take for the Australians. But seven months later, Postecoglou and his men were celebrating as they went on to defeat Korea Republic on home soil to lift the 2015 AFC Asian Cup™ and be crowned continental champions for the first time.
With Australia and holders Spain already eliminated ahead of their final match in Curitiba, there remained only pride to play for and it was the Spanish, after goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata, who picked up the three points following a 3-0 victory.
A campaign that offered some highs but ended in three defeats may have been tough to take for the Australians. But seven months later, Postecoglou and his men were celebrating as they went on to defeat Korea Republic on home soil to lift the 2015 AFC Asian Cup™ and be crowned continental champions for the first time.
Honda on target again but Japan exit early
Japan made it to their fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals with a commanding display in the fourth round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers as they sought to build on their impressive showing in South Africa four years earlier.
Japan made it to their fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup Finals with a commanding display in the fourth round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers as they sought to build on their impressive showing in South Africa four years earlier.
The Samurai Blue may have been the lowest-ranked side in their group, which included Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire and Greece, but it also appeared one of the most evenly matched groups of the tournament and it was with high hopes that the 2011 AFC Asian Cup™ winners went into their Group C opener against Cote d’Ivoire in Recife.
It only took Alberto Zaccheroni’s Japanese players 16 minutes to find a deserved opener and it was Keisuke Honda who again scored for Japan as the AC Milan midfielder became not just the first player from his country to score in two FIFA World Cups but also their top scorer in the tournament with three goals.
The East Asians were in control until the introduction of Didier Drogba from the bench inspired the Ivorians. Wilfried Bony equalised for the Elephants in the 64th minute before Gervinho made it 2-1 just two minutes later. And that is how the game ended as Japan failed to find a way back.
It only took Alberto Zaccheroni’s Japanese players 16 minutes to find a deserved opener and it was Keisuke Honda who again scored for Japan as the AC Milan midfielder became not just the first player from his country to score in two FIFA World Cups but also their top scorer in the tournament with three goals.
The East Asians were in control until the introduction of Didier Drogba from the bench inspired the Ivorians. Wilfried Bony equalised for the Elephants in the 64th minute before Gervinho made it 2-1 just two minutes later. And that is how the game ended as Japan failed to find a way back.
Japan then made the journey north to face Greece in their second game in Natal. The Greeks were in deep trouble after their captain Konstantinos Katsouranis was sent off for a second yellow card in the first half, but the Samurai Blue’s efforts to collect all three points did not pay off.
They went close with chances for Yoshito Okubo and Atsuto Uchida, but both failed to hit the target as the game ended goalless. Despite having collected just one point heading into their final game, Japan were still in with a chance to advance to the next round if they defeated Colombia in Cuiaba.
They went close with chances for Yoshito Okubo and Atsuto Uchida, but both failed to hit the target as the game ended goalless. Despite having collected just one point heading into their final game, Japan were still in with a chance to advance to the next round if they defeated Colombia in Cuiaba.
Shinji Okazaki’s header from a Honda cross cancelled out Juan Cuadrado’s early opener for the South Americans as the sides went in level at the break, but the Colombians – with two wins from two and James Rodriguez showcasing his considerable talent to the world – were in red-hot form and stepped up a gear after the interval.
A brace from Jackson Martínez and a late strike from Rodriguez ultimately inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Japan as the Samurai Blue bowed out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while Colombia progressed to the quarter-finals before being ousted by hosts Brazil.
A brace from Jackson Martínez and a late strike from Rodriguez ultimately inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Japan as the Samurai Blue bowed out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while Colombia progressed to the quarter-finals before being ousted by hosts Brazil.
Iran return but knockout stage remains elusive
Long gone were the days of Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia and the iconic generation of the 1990s and early 2000s, a painful and lengthy generational shift saw Iran miss out on the qualifying for South Africa 2010, but by the time Brazil 2014 arrived, a new era had started under the guidance of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz.
Since taking charge of Team Melli following their quarter-final exit at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011, Queiroz set out to transform the team, introducing Europe-based players. The likes of Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejhad became an integral part of the side that topped their group to qualify to the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time in the nation’s history while the likes of Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei brought their experience of playing in the competition eight years earlier.
Long gone were the days of Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia and the iconic generation of the 1990s and early 2000s, a painful and lengthy generational shift saw Iran miss out on the qualifying for South Africa 2010, but by the time Brazil 2014 arrived, a new era had started under the guidance of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz.
Since taking charge of Team Melli following their quarter-final exit at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011, Queiroz set out to transform the team, introducing Europe-based players. The likes of Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejhad became an integral part of the side that topped their group to qualify to the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time in the nation’s history while the likes of Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei brought their experience of playing in the competition eight years earlier.
The draw pitted Iran against Lionel Messi’s Argentina as well as Nigeria and debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group F.
Opening their campaign against the Nigerian Super Green Eagles, goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi put on a magnificent early shift and Ghoochannejhad nearly opened his country’s account, but his header from Dejagah’s corner was denied by Vincent Enyeama’s diving save. At the end it was honours even, as Iran started their 2014 journey the same way they ended the previous one, with a point against African opponents.
Opening their campaign against the Nigerian Super Green Eagles, goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi put on a magnificent early shift and Ghoochannejhad nearly opened his country’s account, but his header from Dejagah’s corner was denied by Vincent Enyeama’s diving save. At the end it was honours even, as Iran started their 2014 journey the same way they ended the previous one, with a point against African opponents.
Next up was the biggest challenge of them all. An Argentina side not only featuring the world’s best player in Messi, but a who’s who of attacking talent from Sergio Aguero to Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.
With Diego Maradona watching from the stands, Queiroz’s men sat deep, frustrating their opponents as wave after wave of Argentinian attacks crashed at the gates of Haghighi and his defenders, while at the other end Dejagah and Ghoochannejhad forced heroic saves from Sergio Romero as they looked to create an upset.
It was a nearly moment, the Iranians had started to believe a second point was theirs when Messi emerged to dash their dreams in added time, curling an effort from outside the box that left Haghighi helpless to save. Team Melli earned the admiration of the world, but alas, had to leave Belo Horizonte with no points to show for their performance.
With Diego Maradona watching from the stands, Queiroz’s men sat deep, frustrating their opponents as wave after wave of Argentinian attacks crashed at the gates of Haghighi and his defenders, while at the other end Dejagah and Ghoochannejhad forced heroic saves from Sergio Romero as they looked to create an upset.
It was a nearly moment, the Iranians had started to believe a second point was theirs when Messi emerged to dash their dreams in added time, curling an effort from outside the box that left Haghighi helpless to save. Team Melli earned the admiration of the world, but alas, had to leave Belo Horizonte with no points to show for their performance.
Left to pick up the pieces on the final matchday, a game against debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina was on paper supposed to be the easiest of the three encounters, but Iran uncharacteristically capitulated, falling to a 3-1 defeat.
Ghoochannejhad scored the team’s only goal of the campaign to reward his efforts, but it was not enough to avoid finishing bottom of the group for the third time in four appearances.
Ghoochannejhad scored the team’s only goal of the campaign to reward his efforts, but it was not enough to avoid finishing bottom of the group for the third time in four appearances.
Son rises amid disappointing campaign
Korea Republic came into Brazil 2014 with an air of excitement around them after the legendary Hong Myung-bo had taken over as head coach following the departure of Choi Kang-hee, who had guided the Taeguk Warriors to their eighth straight World Cup Finals.
Korea Republic came into Brazil 2014 with an air of excitement around them after the legendary Hong Myung-bo had taken over as head coach following the departure of Choi Kang-hee, who had guided the Taeguk Warriors to their eighth straight World Cup Finals.
In their opener against Fabio Capello’s Russia, the East Asians were the more impressive of the sides in a goalless first half before they found the breakthrough in the 68th minute. Lee Keun-ho was given time and space to have a go at the goal from distance and the forward’s effort slipped through the hands of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev into the back of the net.
But substitute Aleksandr Kerzhakov salvaged a point for the Russians as he became his country’s all-time joint top scorer with 26 international goals. Next up for Korea Republic was an Algerian side who came into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
But substitute Aleksandr Kerzhakov salvaged a point for the Russians as he became his country’s all-time joint top scorer with 26 international goals. Next up for Korea Republic was an Algerian side who came into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Belgium.
It was, however, to be a game to forget for the East Asians as they were overwhelmed by their North African opponents, who ran out 4-2 winners in Porto Alegre.
Losing 3-0 at the interval, perhaps the one positive was that a 21-year-old Son Heung-min notched his first FIFA World Cup goal, with the Bayer Leverkusen forward latching onto a pass from Ki Sung-yueng early in the second half to make it 3-1. Algeria soon restored their three-goal advantage before Koo Ja-cheol’s goal saw the game end 4-2.
Losing 3-0 at the interval, perhaps the one positive was that a 21-year-old Son Heung-min notched his first FIFA World Cup goal, with the Bayer Leverkusen forward latching onto a pass from Ki Sung-yueng early in the second half to make it 3-1. Algeria soon restored their three-goal advantage before Koo Ja-cheol’s goal saw the game end 4-2.
Bottom of the group, the Taeguk Warriors needed to defeat Belgium by at least two goals and hope the result between Algeria and Russia went their way. They were given a boost when the Belgians had Steven Defour sent off for a foul on Kim Shin-wook before the interval and Son almost had the Koreans 1-0 up as he struck the woodwork.
Korea pushed forward looking for goals to rescue their campaign, but leaving their defence susceptible to Belgian attacks. And Jan Vertonghen made the East Asians pay as he slotted home with 12 minutes to play after a Divock Origi effort was parried back into play by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
Hong would leave his coaching role after the team’s group stage exit, but the 2014 FIFA World Cup was enough proof that Korean football was set to embrace a new poster boy in Son.
Photos: FIFA via Getty Images, AFP
Korea pushed forward looking for goals to rescue their campaign, but leaving their defence susceptible to Belgian attacks. And Jan Vertonghen made the East Asians pay as he slotted home with 12 minutes to play after a Divock Origi effort was parried back into play by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
Hong would leave his coaching role after the team’s group stage exit, but the 2014 FIFA World Cup was enough proof that Korean football was set to embrace a new poster boy in Son.
Photos: FIFA via Getty Images, AFP
