Since the AFC image links were removed I will repost it in text format Draw Result Group A: Australia (H), Chinese Taipei, Philippines, IR Iran Group B: China PR (H), Korea Republic, Thailand, DPR Korea Group C: Japan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan (H), India
Australia won't have the benefit of having played in the Asian Games a few weeks earlier unlike many of the other Asian teams including the Philippines and Chinese Taipei from their group. The three group winners and the best ranked runner-up will advance to the Final Round.
*assuming PRK actually play. It's been 4.5 yrs so far since thy last played so no guarantee there on reactivating.
Yes, Group B is definitely poised to be made of just three teams. By the way, if PRK keeps withdrawing for years and years to come, AFC will always be bound to insert them in the draws for its tournaments anyway?
They got a bye to the finals this time because, at the time of *that* draw, they were still 10th in the official FIFA rankings. But when preliminary qualifying was done, they were no longer ranked, and thus were the last seed instead of the first seed. I presume that, as long as they remain unranked, they'd have to go through preliminary AFC qualifying, at least as long as they keep entering (as many AFC countries opt to not enter qualifying campaigns to begin with).
If the North Korea women's football team participates in the Asian Games in China a few weeks earlier where they were also drawn to Group C with Singapore and Cambodia, then most likely they will participate in the 2nd round of the Olympic qualifiers later in October.
Just crossed my mind.... Based on what's happened down in AUS/NZL, that Canada/Jamaica playoff now looks a heck of a lot juicier than it did when it was first set.
I wonder if we will see Canada doing a big re-set for their team with new players. This World Cup felt like the end of the line for players who have been been at the core of the program for a long time.
All 31 min of audio from the post game press conferences and mix zone after the Canada vs Jamaica Women's Olympic qualifier in Toronto. Coaches Lorne Donaldson and Bev Priestman and players Shelina Zadorsky, Adriana Leon, & Cloe Lacasse. http://www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com/reports23/23cana04.htm New attendance record for a national team soccer game in the province of Ontario with 29212 beating the Men's World Cup Qualifier clinching game between Canada and Jamaica of 29122 also held at BMO Field.
In the end North Korea not only played but they won their group eliminating South Korea and Japan. They join Australia, Japan and Uzbekistan in the final round. They will be two home/away ties with (I believe) Australia playing Uzbekistan and Japan playing North Korea.
China. Of course you're aware and it's just a typo, since you then list Japan as one of the semifinalists.