In late March, the World Preliminary Round and the Dubai Cup alternated. Dubai Cup is the U23 age group of the international invitational tournament, the opening time is one day earlier than the 9th round of the World Preliminary Round of Asian Top 12, Beijing time last night began the first round of competition, the Chinese team lost 0-1 to the host Uae, the much-watched Saudi Arabian team and the Japanese team all won, the Saudi U23 kicked out the heritage of the traditional Asian giants, 2-0 victory over the Asian champion Uzbekistan, the Japanese team 1-0 small victory over the world powerhouse Croatia.
Saudi football and Japanese football have seen a full-blown explosion, and both teams have recently soared, both the adult national team and the U23 national team. Saudi Arabia defeated the team in this round is uzbekistan, which won the U23 Asian Cup in 2018, the game scene was once in the inferior position, the possession rate was only 46%, but the Saudi young players are very tough defensively, the attack is very efficient, resisting Uzbekistan's 6 shots, and its own 2 shots are all converted into goals.
The Japanese team crushed Croatia, the possession rate was as high as 62%, and the shooting contrast with Croatia was 3-1, the shooting contrast was 1-0, and finally won 1-0, the conversion rate of the shot was also 100%, the attack and defense ends were very strong, playing the advantage of Japanese football passing, and also created a red card in the game, so that Croatia lost and lost. You know, Croatia's adult national team is the runner-up of the last World Cup, the level of football is very high, the Japanese team can beat them, but also proved their world-class level, worthy of the Asian ceiling.
After the first round, Saudi Arabia finished first in the Dubai Cup and Japan in second place. There were a total of 10 teams participating in the competition, and the results of the first round of the other six teams were: China's men's football team 0-1 UAE, Vietnam 0-0 Iraq, Thailand 0-1 Qatar. On 26 March, the second round will be in full swing, with the first stage of the rankings and the final qualifying round on 29 March, with Saudi Arabia and Japan undoubtedly becoming favourites for the Dubai Cup.
The young players are in hot form, the adult internationals of Saudi Arabia and Japan have also remained stable, and their performance in the World Preliminary Round of 12 in Asia is also stable, Saudi Arabia is currently leading the standings with 19 points, and the Chinese men's football team is 23:00 on the evening of March 24, Beijing time. Win = advance round to qualify for the World Cup, Japan ranked second in the standings with 18 points, Beijing time on March 24 at 17:10 against Australia, which won 15 points, Japan won is equivalent to directly killing the promotion suspense of Group B, joining hands with Saudi Arabia to qualify in advance, Saudi Arabia's current round of competition is equal to double insurance, there is a very high probability of advancing to the World Cup in advance.
The Japanese team has won 5 consecutive games in the World Preliminary Round, unbeaten against Australia for 8 consecutive games, it seems that the victory is in hand; Saudi Arabia played the Chinese men's football team also has the winning ticket in hand, the Chinese men's football team only has the remnants, coupled with the previous 1-3 loss to Vietnam, the hard power is limited, Saudi Arabia maintains the strongest posture, continuing the first leg 3-2 victory.