Asian teams on the brink at the World Cup
With just no wins from their combined total of nine games played, it hasn't been a kind World Cup for Asian nations this year.
While much has been made about England's demise, the chances of a team from the world's largest continent making the knockout stages in Brazil are rapidly fading.
Australia have already been eliminated despite the Socceroos defying expectations with plucky performances in Group B containing Spain, Holland and Chile.
Even though Japan, Iran and South Korea are still not mathematically through, their fates are out of their hands.
All three nations must win their games against Colombia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Belgium and hope results elsewhere go their way in order for them to progress.
South Korea have perhaps shown the most dramatic decline of the lot, with only mathematics keeping their Round of 16 hopes alive.
The Taegeuk Warriors, who finished fourth at the 2002 World Cup after a fairytale run, have been dismal in Group H, where they lie bottom of the group following a 1-1 draw with Russia and a shock 4-2 defeat by Algeria.
Even if his team beat Belgium on June 27 (Singapore time), coach Hong Myung Bo must hope for a miraculous turn of events between Algeria and Russia to avoid an early flight home from Brazil.
Despite boasting several high-profile players who ply their trade in Europe like Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa, Asian champions Japan have barely made a splash in Group C after losing 2-1 to the Ivory Coast and grinding out a goalless draw with Greece.
The Blue Samurai's task doesn't get any easier tomorrow morning (June 25, Singapore time) when they take on impressive group leaders Colombia in a must-win match and hope the Ivory Coast slip up against Greece.
While Iran received praise for a stout defensive performance against Argentina only to be undone by a late moment of Lionel Messi magic in Group F, coach Carlos Queiroz must find the Iranian Lions' first World Cup win since 1998, against the Bosnians to have a chance of making it out of the group stage.
Even if that happens, the Middle Easterners must hope for an Argentina win over Nigeria in order to advance.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
