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India drawn with Japan in Asian qualifiers of 2006 WC
Frankfurt, Dec 06: India have been drawn with Japan, Oman and Singapore in Group 3 of Asian qualifying group for the Football World Cup finals in Germany in 2006.
"India will be tough," said Junji Ogura, vice president of the Japanese Football Association.
"They finished second in a recent Afro-Asian competition
so they are in good condition now.
"Singapore is getting stronger and stronger with a lot of
imported foreign players. But Japan can win this group."
Rivals Japan and South Korea co-hosted last year's
World Cup, which meant they didn't need to qualify.
This time, the two nations join 30 other Asian hopefuls
vying for a handful of slots available to the confederation at
the 2006 finals.
The Asian draw divided the region's 32 sides into eight
groups of four teams. At least four slots are set aside for
Asian teams at the finals. There is also another so-called
half-slot up for grabs, an extra berth they can fight over
with Concacaf.
Bureau Report