With Japan, Senegal and Nigeria registering impressive wins last week, Asian and African teams have once again proved their value and worth on the world stage
The week gone by has seen both Asia and Africa make important statements at World Cup 2018. On Tuesday, Japan became the first Asian football team to beat a South American team when they beat a fancied Colombia 2-1, then Senegal beat an upbeat Poland by a similar margin and on Friday evening, Nigeria outplayed a fast improving Iceland 2-0 reminding everyone that teams from both these continents, indeed play quality football.
For the record, Asian team, South Korea has reached the semi-finals of a World Cup(WC) in 2002, three, African teams, Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana have been World Cup quarter-finalists and Nigeria has reached the round of 16, three times.
On Tuesday evening, the fleet footed Japanese had the Latin Americans in knots and went one-up following a sixth-minute penalty kick. And though the Colombians equalised in the 39th minute, the Japanese always had their nose in front, evident from their second goal via an Osako header in the second half.
In the Senegal-Poland match, the West African team was far too quick and aggressive for the Poles.
Evident from the hard drive from the Senegalese forward which ricocheted off Polish defender Cionek’s boots for an own goal in the 37th minute and the daring sprint by Senegalese forward Mbaye Niang which outwitted the Polish defence for the second goal in the 60th minute. The consolation[u1] Polish goal in the dying moments mattered little.
This is good news for the two large continents, as it has been a long, arduous journey. Up until 1978, only one team each from Asia and Africa was allowed to play at the WC finals.
It was only when the total participants at the WC increased to 32 from the year 1998, that we began seeing more African and Asian participation at the WC.
This year, there are five Asian and five African teams taking part in Russia, which is a very good sign for the future of football.
As can be expected, the World Cup journey of both the Asian and African teams has been very eventful.
Among Asian teams, South Korea, clearly is the most accomplished team, being the only Asian team to ever reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. This happened in 2002, the year they jointly hosted the cup with Japan.
Enroute to the last four stage, South Korea beat the likes of Poland 2-0, Portugal 1-0 and drew with USA 1-1 at the group stage.
In the round of 16, they beat mighty Italy 2-1 and beat a fancied Spain 5-3 on penalties in the quarter finals, before losing narrowly to Germany 0-1 in the semi-finals.
In the play-off for the third place, South Korea lost to Turkey 2-3. An outstanding World Cup outing to say the least.
Similarly, Japan, co-hosts of the 2002 WC also had a memorable campaign that year. They drew with a strong Belgian side 2-2, beat Russia 1-0 and Tunisia 2-0 at the group stage.
Unfortunately, their campaign ended when they lost 0-1 to Turkey in the round of 16. But they had made an impression on the world stage.
Likewise, several African teams have shone at the WC finals. Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria have been the more successful African teams. Cameroon, with seven World Cup appearances have made maximum impact.
In their memorable 1990 campaign, Cameroon shocked defending champions Argentina 1-0 in their first group game, despite finishing the game with just nine players.
In their next match, they beat Romania 2-1 thanks to two goals from their 38-year-old substitute player, Roger Milla. Later, despite losing 0-4 to the then Soviet Union, they advanced to the second round and beat a fancied, Colombia 2-1 with Milla scoring both goals.
Cameroon and Milla in particular, with his unique, post-goal dance near the corner flag become very popular with football fans across the world. In the quarter finals, Cameroon lost narrowly to England 2-3 after the game went into extra time.
In 2002, Senegal too began like Cameroon by beating defending champions, France 1-0 in their first game. Later, they drew with 1-1 with Denmark and Uruguay 3-3 to make it to the second round.
In the Round of 16, Senegal’s star player, Henri Camara scored twice to give them a well-deserved 2-1 win over a strong, Swedish side.
However, their campaign ended in the quarter finals, when the Turks got the better of them through a golden goal in extra time.
In 2010, when the World Cup was held in South Africa, Ghana was the only African team to advance to the second round. In the round of 16, a strong Ghana team beat the USA 2-1 in extra time and became the third, African team to reach the quarter finals. Unfortunately for them, they could not outwit Uruguay in the penalty shoot-out.
Clearly, Asia and Africa are the future of international football with their size and populations.
Thankfully, FIFA, football’s world governing body has recognised this and a record nine, African teams and eight, Asian teams will take part in the 2026 World Cup, which will have 48 participating nations.
