Asian Group’s Results Could Hurt World Cup : Soccer: U.S. organizers worry that Iraq and / or Iran qualifying would create security problems.
The possibility of a worst-case scenario for World Cup soccer officials--both Iraq and Iran qualifying for next summer’s final in the United States--will play out today, the final day of the Asia World Cup qualifying tournament in Doha, Qatar.
World Cup officials have made no secret about rooting against Iran and Iraq, self-proclaimed enemies of the United States and teams that would pose a potential security threat should they qualify. Iraq also would face a possible battle with the U.S. State Department, which has not issued visas to Iraqi citizens since the 1991 Gulf War.
A World Cup official, vice-president Eli Primrose-Smith, reiterated Wednesday at a press briefing that all qualified nations would be welcome and that no visa problems are anticipated. Officials have said privately, however, that they would prefer to have one of the American allies--Japan, Saudi Arabia or South Korea--advance.
The Asia qualifying is being closely watched. A contingent of World Cup security officials is on hand, as is U.S. Coach Bora Milutinovic, who is scouting potential opponents. Unlike other regional World Cup qualifying, which is spread over months of twice-weekly games, the Asia group chose a 13-day tournament at the neutral site of sports-mad Qatar.
The competition has been fierce. Japan and Saudi Arabia are tied for the group lead with five points in four games. South Korea, Iraq and Iran are tied for second with four points. Two teams qualify.
Three final games are scheduled today: South Korea-North Korea, Saudi Arabia-Iran and Iraq-Japan.
Japan and Saudi Arabia will advance with victories. Iraq and Iran could finish in the top two if each won and North Korea won or tied. If South Korea wins, Iraq and Iran have chances to qualify on goal differential.
Fan problems have not been as serious as anticipated. Although there are large contingents of Japanese and Saudi fans at the games, Qatar has not issued visas to Iraqis and Iranians.
There has been some rowdiness among the mostly Saudi fans, but coaches have suffered the most serious casualties. Both the Iraqi and Saudi coaches were fired. And Ammu Baba, Iraq’s new coach, described himself this week as the “most worried man in the world.” Baba was appointed by Odai Hussein, son of Saddam Hussein.
South Korea was the favorite but has engineered a spectacular collapse. The team squandered leads against both Saudi Arabia and Iraq, making its path to the nation’s third consecutive World Cup a difficult one.
North Korea is out of contention but today’s game against its southern neighbor could make the North Koreans spoilers. Once North Korea was eliminated on Monday, all news coverage of the qualifying, both in print and broadcast, was cut off.
Asia Group Standings
Nation W L T Pts GF GA Japan 2 1 1 5 5 2 Saudi Arabia 1 0 3 5 4 3 South Korea 1 1 2 4 6 4 Iraq 1 1 2 4 7 7 Iran 2 2 0 4 5 7 North Korea 1 3 0 2 5 9
