FIFA World Cup
As we wait excitedly for the Asian challenge to kick off, the-AFC.com goes on a journey down memory lane to remember some of the most memorable moments for Asian football at the FIFA World Cup.
1938: Indonesia blaze a trail
While the likes of Australia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia have established themselves as regulars at the FIFA World Cup in recent decades, it was a different name that was Asia’s first representative at the global showpiece.
Indonesia – then known as the Dutch East Indies – advanced to the third edition of the FIFA World Cup in 1938, hosted in France, after Japan withdrew from their proposed qualification match to mean the Southeast Asian nation progressed automatically.
While the likes of Australia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia have established themselves as regulars at the FIFA World Cup in recent decades, it was a different name that was Asia’s first representative at the global showpiece.
Indonesia – then known as the Dutch East Indies – advanced to the third edition of the FIFA World Cup in 1938, hosted in France, after Japan withdrew from their proposed qualification match to mean the Southeast Asian nation progressed automatically.
Along with Brazil and Cuba, Indonesia were one of just three non-European nations to take part in the tournament.
But with 16 teams in a knockout round format, their campaign did not last long. Up against Hungary at the Velodrome Municipal in Reims, they were 4-0 down at the interval and ultimately lost 6-0 to exit at the first hurdle.
But with 16 teams in a knockout round format, their campaign did not last long. Up against Hungary at the Velodrome Municipal in Reims, they were 4-0 down at the interval and ultimately lost 6-0 to exit at the first hurdle.
1954: Korea Republic enter the fray
After India withdrew from the 1950 edition in Brazil, the next Asian nation to appear at the FIFA World Cup was Korea Republic when they overcame Japan in a two-legged qualifier to progress to the tournament in Switzerland.
Like the Dutch East Indies, Korea Republic’s first match was against the Hungarians, a side that by now had developed into one of the best in the world. A 9-0 loss in Zurich, with the great Ferenc Puskas opening and closing the scoring, showed the gulf in quality against a team that would go on to finish runners-up after leading West Germany 2-0 in the final.
After India withdrew from the 1950 edition in Brazil, the next Asian nation to appear at the FIFA World Cup was Korea Republic when they overcame Japan in a two-legged qualifier to progress to the tournament in Switzerland.
Like the Dutch East Indies, Korea Republic’s first match was against the Hungarians, a side that by now had developed into one of the best in the world. A 9-0 loss in Zurich, with the great Ferenc Puskas opening and closing the scoring, showed the gulf in quality against a team that would go on to finish runners-up after leading West Germany 2-0 in the final.
Korea Republic faced Turkey in their second game, in Geneva, and ended up on the wrong side of a similarly heavy scoreline, losing 7-0 as they exited after finishing bottom of the standings.
Just under seven decades on, however, Korea Republic are Asia’s most successful team at the FIFA World Cup as, ahead of the 2022 edition in Qatar, they are set to make their 11th appearance, and 10th in a row, in a run that includes reaching the 2002 semi-finals on home soil.
Just under seven decades on, however, Korea Republic are Asia’s most successful team at the FIFA World Cup as, ahead of the 2022 edition in Qatar, they are set to make their 11th appearance, and 10th in a row, in a run that includes reaching the 2002 semi-finals on home soil.
1966: DPR Korea stun the Italians
Twelve years on and it was Korea Republic’s northerly neighbours, DPR Korea, who were the third Asian team to reach the global showpiece after overcoming Australia 9-2 on aggregate in a two-legged qualifier in Phnom Penh to qualify for the 1966 edition in England. It would be a campaign that went down in history as DPR Korea stunned their illustrious opponents and broke new ground for Asia at the FIFA World Cup.
A 3-0 loss against the Soviet Union in Middlesbrough opened their group stage but DPR Korea bounced back as Pak Seung Zin’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Chile saw Asia score its first goal and secure its first point at the global showpiece.
Twelve years on and it was Korea Republic’s northerly neighbours, DPR Korea, who were the third Asian team to reach the global showpiece after overcoming Australia 9-2 on aggregate in a two-legged qualifier in Phnom Penh to qualify for the 1966 edition in England. It would be a campaign that went down in history as DPR Korea stunned their illustrious opponents and broke new ground for Asia at the FIFA World Cup.
A 3-0 loss against the Soviet Union in Middlesbrough opened their group stage but DPR Korea bounced back as Pak Seung Zin’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Chile saw Asia score its first goal and secure its first point at the global showpiece.
But even better was to follow when, up against two-time world champions Italy in their final group match, Pak Doo Ik scored the only goal of the game three minutes before the interval as the East Asians eliminated the Italians with one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history. The result marked Asia’s first-ever win in the competition and saw DPR Korea into the quarter-finals.
Incredibly, the run looked like continuing when Pak Seung Zin, Li Dong Woon and Yang Seung Kook put them three up against Portugal at Goodison Park in Liverpool. However, a four-goal haul by the legendary Eusebio saw the Portuguese storm back to win 5-3 as the curtain was brought down on DPR Korea’s magical campaign.
Incredibly, the run looked like continuing when Pak Seung Zin, Li Dong Woon and Yang Seung Kook put them three up against Portugal at Goodison Park in Liverpool. However, a four-goal haul by the legendary Eusebio saw the Portuguese storm back to win 5-3 as the curtain was brought down on DPR Korea’s magical campaign.
1978: Islamic Republic of Iran announce their arrival
Korea Republic’s defeat at the hands of Australia in the 1974 qualifying playoff meant no Asian teams were present in West Germany that year, but four years later, Asian teams made a return with Iran qualifying for their maiden tournament and ever since, AFC representatives have been present in every edition.
Reigning Asian champions at the time, Iran were dealt a difficult start to their debut FIFA World Cup campaign with the mighty Netherlands, runners-up from four years earlier, their first opponents. Rob Rensenbrink ran riot in Mendoza, ending the game with a hat-trick in a 3-0 Dutch victory.
Korea Republic’s defeat at the hands of Australia in the 1974 qualifying playoff meant no Asian teams were present in West Germany that year, but four years later, Asian teams made a return with Iran qualifying for their maiden tournament and ever since, AFC representatives have been present in every edition.
Reigning Asian champions at the time, Iran were dealt a difficult start to their debut FIFA World Cup campaign with the mighty Netherlands, runners-up from four years earlier, their first opponents. Rob Rensenbrink ran riot in Mendoza, ending the game with a hat-trick in a 3-0 Dutch victory.
With three previous FIFA World Cup appearances to their name, Scotland were up next, and the game looked headed the same way its predecessor went as an awkward attempt at a clearance from Andranik Eskandarian saw him put the ball into his own net before the break.
Coach Heshmat Mohajerani’s men recovered, and history was made at the hour mark when Iraj Danaeifard collected the ball on the edge of the area and waltzed past two defenders before slotting home from a narrow angle for Iran’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, earning Team Melli their first point on the global stage with that 1-1 draw.
Hassan Rowshan added his name to the scorers list, but it was merely consolation as Iran bowed out with 4-1 defeat to Peru. They would have to wait 20 years for their next appearance in France 1998.
Coach Heshmat Mohajerani’s men recovered, and history was made at the hour mark when Iraj Danaeifard collected the ball on the edge of the area and waltzed past two defenders before slotting home from a narrow angle for Iran’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, earning Team Melli their first point on the global stage with that 1-1 draw.
Hassan Rowshan added his name to the scorers list, but it was merely consolation as Iran bowed out with 4-1 defeat to Peru. They would have to wait 20 years for their next appearance in France 1998.
1982: Steep learning curve for Kuwait
AFC Asian Cup 1980 winners Kuwait were the continent's sole representative at the 1982 edition hosted by Spain.
Making their debut, the West Asian side got off to a rousing start as they held Czechoslovakia to a 1-1 draw, with Faisal Ali Al Dakhil equalising in the 57th minute.
AFC Asian Cup 1980 winners Kuwait were the continent's sole representative at the 1982 edition hosted by Spain.
Making their debut, the West Asian side got off to a rousing start as they held Czechoslovakia to a 1-1 draw, with Faisal Ali Al Dakhil equalising in the 57th minute.
A France side led by Michel Platini proved too strong for Kuwait in their next match as the European side walked away with a 4-1 win with Abdullah Mohamed Al Buloushi scoring for the Asians.
There was to be no knockout stage action for the debutants though as a 1-0 defeat to England meant the end of their campaign with Kuwait yet to make a second appearance on the global stage.
There was to be no knockout stage action for the debutants though as a 1-0 defeat to England meant the end of their campaign with Kuwait yet to make a second appearance on the global stage.
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