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1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and OFC)

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1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and OFC)
Tournament details
Teams21 (from 2 confederations)
Tournament statistics
Top scorer(s)New Zealand Keith Nelson (7 goals)
← 1974 1982 →
International football competition
AFC Asian Qualifiers
FIFA World Cup
AFC Asian Cup
OFC Qualifiers
FIFA World Cup

Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the Asian and Oceanian zone (AFC and OFC). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification.

A total of 21 AFC and OFC teams and Israel entered the competition. However, South Vietnam could not compete after being annexed by Vietnam. The Asian zone was allocated 1 place (out of 16) in the final tournament.

Format

There would be two rounds of play:

  • First Round: The 21 teams would be divided into 5 groups. The groups had different rules, as follows:
    • Group 1 had 6 teams. The teams played against each other once in Singapore. The top 2 teams after the group matches played against each other in a single match. The winner would advance to the Final Round.
    • Groups 2 and 3 had 4 teams each. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would qualify.
    • Group 4 had 4 teams. The teams played against each other twice in Qatar. The group winner would qualify.
    • Group 5 had 3 teams. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner would qualify.
  • Final Round: The 5 teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winner would qualify.

First round

Group 1

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Hong Kong 4 2 2 0 9 5 +4 6 Play-off
2  Singapore 4 2 1 1 5 6 −1 5
3  Malaysia 4 1 2 1 7 6 +1 4
4  Indonesia 4 1 1 2 7 7 0 3
5  Thailand 4 1 0 3 8 12 −4 2
6  Sri Lanka 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew
Source: RSSSF
Singapore 2–0 Thailand
Quah Kim Song 48'
Rajagopal 70'
National Stadium, SingaporeAttendance: 55,000Referee: Tony Boskovic (Australia)
Hong Kong 4–1 Indonesia
Chung Chor Wai 61' (pen.)
Wun Chee Keung 67'
Kwok Ka Ming 71'
Lau Wing Yip 83'		 Waskito Kaihun 12'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Jafar Namdar (Iran)
Malaysia 6–4 Thailand
James 15', 38', 51', 60'
Isa Bakar 17', 19'		 Jesdaporn 24', 67'
Witthaya 86'
Niwat 88'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Vaz (India)
Singapore 2–2 Hong Kong
Quah Kim Song 37'
Dollah Kassim 70'		 Wun Chee Keung 19', 51'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Harries (New Zealand)
Indonesia 0–0 Malaysia
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Asami (Japan)
Hong Kong 2–1 Thailand
Kwok Ka Ming 49'
Chung Chor Wai 81'		 Witthaya 55'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Kim Joo-won (Korea Republic)
Singapore 1–0 Malaysia
Mohammad Noh Hussein 31' (pen.)
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Asami (Japan)
Thailand 3–2 Indonesia
Cherdsak 27'
Jesdaporn 30' (pen.)
Niwat 36'		 Risdianto 44'
Junaedi Abdillah 70'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Alex Vaz (India)
Malaysia 1–1 Hong Kong
Bakri Ibni 78' Fung Chi Ming 15'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Harries (New Zealand)
Singapore 0–4 Indonesia
Ronny Pattinasarany 4'
Anjas Asmara 13'
Andi Lala 26'
Iswadi Idris 48'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Kim Joo-won (Korea Republic)

Play-off

Hong Kong and Singapore finished in the top two places, and a play-off was played to decide who would advance to the Final Round.

Singapore 0–1 Hong Kong
Lau Wing Yip 33'
National Stadium, SingaporeReferee: Tony Boskovic (Australia)

Hong Kong advanced to the Final Round.

Group 2

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  South Korea 4 2 2 0 4 1 +3 6 Final round
2  Israel 4 2 1 1 5 3 +2 5
3  Japan 4 0 1 3 0 5 −5 1
4  North Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew
Source: RSSSF
Israel 0–0 South Korea
Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat GanReferee: Brian McGinlay (Scotland)
Israel 2–0 Japan
Machnes 43'
Bar 57'
Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat GanReferee: Michel Kitabdjian (France)
Japan 0–2 Israel
Machnes 41'
Peretz 54'
Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat Gan, (Israel)Referee: Verbeke (France)
South Korea 3–1 Israel
Cha Bum-kun 23'
Park Sang-in 86'
Choi Jong-duk 88'		 Malmilian 76'
Dongdaemun Stadium, Seoul
Japan 0–0 South Korea
National Stadium, TokyoReferee: Kathiravalc (Malaysia)
South Korea 1–0 Japan
Cha Bum-kun 84' (pen.)
Dongdaemun Stadium, SeoulReferee: Zainal Abidin (Malaysia)

Korea Republic advanced to the Final Round. North Korea withdrew prior to the tournament in protest of Israel's participation.

Group 3

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 4 4 0 0 8 0 +8 8 Final round
2  Saudi Arabia 4 1 0 3 3 7 −4 2
3  Syria 4 1 0 3 2 6 −4 2
4  Iraq 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew
Source: RSSSF
Saudi Arabia 2–0 Syria
Al Fahad 22'
Bo Saeed 54'
Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium, JeddahReferee: Dörflinger (Switzerland)
Syria 2–1 Saudi Arabia
Al Katbi 36'
Khouri 82'		 Ghani 44'
Abbasiyyin Stadium, DamascusReferee: Doğan Babacan (Turkey)
Saudi Arabia 0–3 Iran
Mazloumi 16', 78'
Roshan 62'
Youth Welfare Stadium in Al-Malaz, RiyadhReferee: Erich Linemayr (Austria)
Syria 0–1 Iran
(Report) Parvin 36'
Abbasiyyin Stadium, DamascusAttendance: 22,000Referee: Robert Fratz (France)
Iran 2–0 (w/o) Syria
Forfeited
Tajgozari Stadium, Shiraz
Iran 2–0 Saudi Arabia
Yousefi 10'
Sharifi 84'
Tajgozari Stadium, ShirazReferee: Dörflinger (Switzerland)

Iran advanced to the Final Round.

Group 4

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Kuwait 4 4 0 0 10 2 +8 8 Final round
2  Bahrain 4 1 0 3 4 6 −2 2
3  Qatar 4 1 0 3 3 9 −6 2
4  United Arab Emirates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Withdrew
Source: RSSSF
Bahrain 0–2 Kuwait
Kameel 5'
Yaqoub 21'
Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, (Qatar)Referee: Pat Partridge (England)
Qatar 2–0 Bahrain
Muftah 40'
Al Suwaidi 62'
Khalifa International Stadium, DohaReferee: Hungerbühler (Switzerland)
Qatar 0–2 Kuwait
Yaqoub 28'
Al-Anberi 68'
Khalifa International Stadium, DohaReferee: Ohmsen (West Germany)
Bahrain 1–2 Kuwait
Shaqr 73' Al-Anberi 33'
Al Duraihem 56' (pen.)
Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, (Qatar)Referee: Riccardo Lattanzi (Italy)
Qatar 0–3 Bahrain
Shaqr 32'
Zowayed 57'
Al Farhan 73' (pen.)
Khalifa International Stadium, DohaReferee: Pat Partridge (England)
Qatar 1–4 Kuwait
Abubakr 82' (pen.) Yaqoub 10'
Ma'yoof 16'
Al Saleh 24'
Bo Hamad 60'
Khalifa International Stadium, DohaReferee: Riccardo Lattanzi (Italy)

Kuwait advanced to the Final Round.

Group 5

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Australia 4 3 1 0 9 3 +6 7 Final round
2  New Zealand 4 2 1 1 14 4 +10 5
3  Taiwan 4 0 0 4 1 17 −16 0
Source: RSSSF
Australia 3–0 Taiwan
Rooney 8', 46'
Abonyi 16'
Govind Park, Ba, (Fiji)Referee: Promakash (Thailand)
Taiwan 1–2 Australia
Chang Kuo Chi 29' Kosmina 35'
Abonyi 58'
Govind Park, Ba, (Fiji)Referee: Getkaew (Thailand)
New Zealand 6–0 Taiwan
Nelson 4', 6', 60'
Campbell 16'
Taylor 42'
Weymouth 74'
Mount Smart Stadium, AucklandReferee: Suppiah (Singapore)
Taiwan 0–6 New Zealand
Nelson 10', 74'
Sumner 15', 51', 55'
Lo Chih Tsong 71' (o.g.)
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, (New Zealand)Referee: Dhillon (Singapore)
Australia 3–1 New Zealand
Ollerton 60', 80'
Kosmina 72'		 Nelson 4'
Sydney Cricket Ground, SydneyReferee: Chan Tam Sun (Hong Kong)
New Zealand 1–1 Australia
Nelson 34' Ollerton 18'
Newmarket Ground, AucklandReferee: Cheung Kwok Kui (Hong Kong)

Australia advanced to the Final Round.

Final round

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 8 6 2 0 12 3 +9 14 Qualification to 1978 FIFA World Cup — 2–2 1–0 1–0 3–0
2  South Korea 8 3 4 1 12 8 +4 10 0–0 — 1–0 0–0 5–2
3  Kuwait 8 4 1 3 13 8 +5 9 1–2 2–2 — 1–0 4–0
4  Australia 8 3 1 4 11 8 +3 7 0–1 2–1 1–2 — 3–0
5  Hong Kong 8 0 0 8 5 26 −21 0 0–2 0–1 1–3 2–5 —
Source: RSSSF
Hong Kong 0–2 Iran
Kazerani 22'
Jahani 77'
Government Stadium, Hong KongReferee: Cesare Gussoni (Italy)
Hong Kong 0–1 South Korea
Cha Bum-kun 81'
Government Stadium, Hong KongReferee: Ferdinand Biwersi (West Germany)
South Korea 0–0 Iran
Busan Gudeok Stadium, BusanReferee: Fute (Scotland)
Australia 3–0 Hong Kong
Kosmina 28', 84'
Barnes 46'
Hindmarsh Stadium, AdelaideReferee: Hungerbühler (Switzerland)
Australia 0–1 Iran
Roshan 70'
Olympic Park Stadium, MelbourneReferee: Franz Wöhrer (Austria)
Australia 2–1 South Korea
Kosmina 63', 75' Cha Bum-kun 23'
Sydney Sports Ground, SydneyReferee: Jan Keizer (Netherlands)
Hong Kong 1–3 Kuwait
Chung Chor Wai 9' Al-Dakhil 35'
Yaqoub 52'
Bo Hamad 72'
Government Stadium, Hong KongReferee: Martínez (Spain)
South Korea 1–0 Kuwait
Park Sang-in 59'
Dongdaemun Stadium, SeoulReferee: Ciacci (Italy)
Australia 1–2 Kuwait
Rooney 83' Kameel 42'
Al-Anberi 49'
Sydney Sports Ground, SydneyReferee: Michel Vautrot (France)
South Korea 0–0 Australia
Dongdaemun Stadium, SeoulReferee: Ulf Eriksson (Sweden)
Iran 1–0 Kuwait
Jahani 48'
Aryamehr Stadium, TehranReferee: Clive Thomas (Wales)
Hong Kong 2–5 Australia
Tang Hung Cheong 65'
Chung Chor Wai 80'		 Ollerton 19', 31', 65'
Abonyi 39' (pen.)
Bennett 85'
Government Stadium, Hong KongReferee: Ponnet (Belgium)
Kuwait 2–2 South Korea
Al-Dakhil 47'
Bo Abbas 76'		 Cha Bum-kun 18'
Choi Jong-duk 82'
Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait CityReferee: Dubach (Switzerland)
Iran 2–2 South Korea
Roshan 52', 68' Lee Young-moo 28', 88'
Aryamehr Stadium, TehranReferee: Pat Partridge (England)
Kuwait 4–0 Hong Kong
Al-Dakhil 3', 17'
Al-Anberi 45'
Kameel 80'
Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait CityReferee: Victor (Luxembourg)
Iran 3–0 Hong Kong
Jahani 3', 35'
Kazerani 19'
Aryamehr Stadium, TehranReferee: Raus (Yugoslavia)
Kuwait 1–0 Australia
Al-Dakhil 52'
Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait CityReferee: Bucek (Austria)
Iran 1–0 Australia
Jahani 44'
Aryamehr Stadium, TehranReferee: Michel Kitabdjian (France)
Kuwait 1–2 Iran
Al-Dakhil 14' Fariba 48'
Khabiri 59'
Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait CityReferee: Malcolm Hall Wright (Northern Ireland)
South Korea 5–2 Hong Kong
Kim Ho-kon 22'
Huh Jung-moo 43'
Kim Jae-han 76', 81'
Park Sang-in 89'		 Kwok Ka Ming 49'
Chan Fat Chi 79'
Busan Gudeok Stadium, BusanReferee: Heinz Aldinger (West Germany)

Iran qualified.

Qualified teams

The following team from AFC qualified for the final tournament.

Team Qualified as Qualified on Previous appearances in FIFA World Cup
 Iran Final Round winners 25 November 1977 0 (debut)
Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.

Goalscorers

7 goals
6 goals
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
1 own goal

See also

References

  1. Israel left the AFC in 1974
  2. Japan played its "home" match against Israel away at Israel.
  3. "North Korea Out Of World Soccer Cup Preliminaries". The Wichita Eagle. Associated Press. 29 January 1977. p. 2D. Retrieved 20 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Both matches between Australia and Taiwan were played on neutral ground.
  5. Both matches between Australia and Taiwan were played on neutral ground.
  6. Taiwan played its "home" match against New Zealand away instead.
1978 FIFA World Cup qualification
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