All four Asian representatives have bowed out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Japan and South Korea have made themselves proud by advancing to the last 16 round, but that’s as far as they could go as both teams were eliminated at that stage… with Japan unfortunately lost to Paraguay on penalties.
There are encouraging signs for Asian teams at this World Cup, but it’s still obvious that we are far behind the traditional footballing continents, i.e. Europe and South America. We might catch up someday in terms of techniques and tactics, but the physical disadvantage is something that’s difficult to overhaul.
It’s ironic though, that football is still arguably the most popular sport in the Asia region despite our lack of global success.
