Road to Qatar 2022: Japan, Australia in Group B for last AFC qualifying round

Asia’s best learnt of their opponents following the conclusion of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar virtual draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday.

The 12 teams were drawn into two groups with Japan, the continent’s top team in the FIFA World Ranking, drawn in Group B while second-ranked Islamic Republic of Iran were drawn in Group A. Iran, with five previous appearances at the global showpiece, will have Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon for company in Group A. Japan, seeking a seventh consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals, were joined in Group B by Australia, Saudi Arabia, China PR, Oman and Vietnam. Both groups promise to be sizzling affairs with Iran having to contend with a Korea Republic side seeking an 11th appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals. UAE and Iraq have made the Finals once each while Syria and Lebanon will be seeking maiden appearances.