Most teams will be playing competitive matches for the first time since November, 2019 and the action promises to be spectacular with much at stake, with Japan having already sealed a place in the next round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and having confirmed their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals.
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the facts and figures ahead of the eights groups resuming on Thursday.
12: When the dust settles on the second round, 12 teams will advance to the final round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar, which will also confirm their places in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals. The remaining teams from the second round will contest for slots in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals - either qualifying automatically for the third round of the Qualifiers or via playoffs.
3: Only three teams still have a perfect record at this stage of the Asian Qualifiers, with Japan having won all six of their Group F matches. Syria top Group A with a perfect record of five wins while Australia lead Group B with four victories. 10 teams, in total, are unbeaten.
325: The Asian Qualifiers have seen a goal fest with 325 scored in the 108 matches that have been played - averaging three goals a game.
37: Japan, seeking a seventh consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals and record-extending fifth AFC Asian Cup title, have been phenomenal in front of goal with 37 scored in six matches. China PR have scored 20 from five matches while Kuwait have 17.
8: Japan’s Osako Yuya (pictured) and Takumi Minamino are top of the goalscoring chart with eight goals each. Syria’s Omar Al Soma is one behind while UAE’s Al Mabkhout, Almoez Ali of Qatar and Uzbekistan’s Eldor Shomurodov are on six.
0: Japan have been equally resolute in defence, with the four-time AFC Asian Cup champions yet to concede after six matches played. Australia, Bahrain, Qatar and Vietnam have each only conceded once.
14: Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan have registered the biggest winning margins in the Asian Qualifiers. Team Melli defeated Cambodia 14-0 in Group C while Japan defeated Mongolia by the same scoreline in Group F.
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