ASIA: 2015 Asian Cup Qualification Round-up

The 2015 Asian Cup is set to take place in Australia. Australia have already qualified as hosts, Japan have qualified as the previous winners, South Korea finished 3^rd in the 2011 tournament, and have already qualified. North Korea qualified, by winning the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

There are five groups in this qualification process. The group winners, and the runner-ups will automatically qualify to the tournament, as well as the best third place team. Also, the winner of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup will qualify to the 2015 Asian Cup. Here are the latest groups.

Group A:

TEAM	PLAYED	POINTS
Jordan	1	3
Oman	1	3
Syria	1	0
Singapore	1	0

Group A consists of Jordan, Oman, Syria, and Singapore. Singapore went to Jordan, as the home side won comfortably in a 4-0 win. In the second match, Oman played Syria and won 1-0 at home. Oman is set to face Singapore in their next match, while Jordan play Syria.

Group B:

TEAM	PLAYED	POINTS
Iran	2	4
Kuwait	2	4
Lebanon	2	3
Thailand	2	0

Group B looks like a very tight group, with Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Thailand, all aiming to qualify to the 2015 Asian Cup. In the first week, Iran thrashed Lebanon 5-0, and Kuwait defeated Thailand 3-1. In the second week, Thailand was humiliated again, after losing 5-2 to Lebanon. Kuwait and Iran played a 1-1 draw. Iran is set to face Thailand in their next game, while Kuwait will play Lebanon.

Group C:

TEAM	PLAYED	POINTS
Saudi Arabia	2	6
China	2	3
Iraq	2	3
Indonesia	2	0

Group C has Saudi Arabia, China, Iraq, and Indonesia. Saudi Arabia leads the group after two consecutive wins. Iraq played Indonesia in the first game, and managed to win 1-0. Saudi Arabia played China at home, and won 2-1. China then defeated Iraq 1-0, while Saudi Arabia defeated Indonesia 2-1 in Jakarta.

Group D:

TEAM	PLAYED	POINTS
Bahrain	2	6
Qatar	2	3
Malaysia	2	3
Yemen	2	0

Group C has Qatar, Malaysia, Yemen, and Bahrain. In the first week, Bahrain defeated Yemen 2-0, and Qatar defeated Malaysia 2-0 as well. The two teams who won 2-0 the previous week, squared off in the following week. Bahrain defeated Qatar 1-0 in the city of Riffa in Bahrain, while Malaysia won Yemen 2-1. If Bahrain are to win their next match against Malaysia, and Yemen lose to Qatar, then qualification for Bahrain is almost assured.

Group E:

TEAM	PLAYED	POINTS
United Arab Emirates	2	6
Hong Kong	2	4
Uzbekistan	2	1
Vietnam	2	0

United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam consist Group E. UAE looks in control after two wins. Uzbekistan played a goalless draw in the first week, while UAE went to Vietnam and won 2-1. The following week, Hong Kong defeated Vietnam 1-0 at home, and the UAE defeated Uzbekistan 2-1. Hong Kong host UAE in their next game, and Uzbekistan play Vietnam, in what looks like to be very crucial games.