20 years on - Asia’s FIFA World Cup: The Legacy

Fri, 22 Jul, 2022

20 years on - Asia’s FIFA World Cup: The Legacy

Dubai: Two decades on since Asia hosted the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in its history and four months before the world’s eyes turn to Asia again as Qatar hosts the 2022 edition, the-AFC.com revisits Korea/Japan 2002.

We come to the conclusion of this four-part series on the first-ever FIFA World Cup to take place in Asia by examining the legacy of the competition, both in the short term and two decades on.

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20 years on - Asia’s FIFA World Cup: The Continent's Cast

Fri, 08 Jul, 2022

20 years on - Asia’s FIFA World Cup: The Continent's Cast

Dubai: Two decades on since Asia hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history and four months before the world’s eyes turn to the continent again as Qatar hosts the 2022 edition, the-AFC.com revisits Korea/Japan 2002.

With the two host nations qualifying automatically, the opportunity arose for the AFC to better its previous record of four teams in France 1998 as Saudi Arabia and China PR booked the two direct tickets to join the hosts, but it wasn’t to be.

Islamic Republic of Iran defeated the United Arab Emirates in the AFC Playoff to reach the Inter-Continental Playoff where they faced Republic of Ireland. Goals from Ian Harte and Robbie Keane in Dublin left Miroslav Blasevic’s men with a mountain to climb in the reverse leg at Azadi Stadium five days later, and a late goal from current Persepolis head coach Yahya Golmohammedi was not enough to overturn things, as Team Melli failed to join the four other Asian nations in the continent's first World Cup.

20 years on – Asia’s FIFA World Cup: Memorable Moments

Tue, 12 Jul, 2022

20 years on – Asia’s FIFA World Cup: Memorable Moments

Dubai: Two decades on since Asia hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history and four months before the world’s eyes turn to Asia again as Qatar hosts the 2022 edition, the-AFC.com revisits Korea/Japan 2002.

The 17th edition of the global event had its fair share of moments that will remain part of the FIFA World Cup folklore, and while Korea Republic’s exploits and Saudi Arabia’s learning experience to Germany were of note, those have been covered in Part 1 about Asian teams, we turn our attention next to historic moments elsewhere in the competition.

20 years on - Asia’s FIFA World Cup: Standout players

Thu, 14 Jul, 2022

20 years on - Asia’s FIFA World Cup: Standout players

Dubai: Two decades on since Asia hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history and four months before the world’s eyes turn to the continent again as Qatar hosts the 2022 edition, the-AFC.com revisits Korea/Japan 2002.

There was no shortage of star power at the 17th edition of the FIFA World Cup, but there was also no shortage of underwhelming performances. The likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Gabriel Batistuta could not help their teams out of the group stage, but new names emerged and established ones cemented their status on the global stage with impressive displays in East Asia.