Asian football is reaching world-class levels.

VHO - When Japan achieved a historic victory against Brazil, and then easily defeated Ghana 2-0 just two weeks later, international opinion was forced to re-evaluate the status of Asian football. No longer a "low-lying area," Asia is witnessing a strong development cycle with teams capable of competing on equal footing with the giants of South America and Europe.

Japan is fully capable of competing on equal terms with any opponent.

Japan - Leading the way in asserting its new position.

Over the past two decades, Japan has built a systematic development trajectory that is arguably the best in the continent. But only in recent years has that result truly exploded and resonated globally. By defeating Uruguay, Germany, Spain, and most recently Brazil, Japan is no longer just an "Asian team playing technically," but has become a formidable opponent capable of dictating the tempo of the game against football powerhouses.

The 3-2 victory against Brazil was a historic boost. Not many teams in the world can beat Brazil by three goals in just one half. Japan did it, and what's special is that they made that victory seem justified. No more lucky long-range shots, no more courageous but isolated football; today's Japan knew how to control the tempo, shift the game, and push the pace of the match to a level that even Brazil found tiring.

Not content with just a symbolic match, Japan immediately demonstrated their stability by defeating Ghana 2-0 in a friendly on November 14th in Aichi. It was a game where coach Hajime Moriyasu's players showed the mettle of a great team: controlling the game, creating more opportunities, and decisively capitalizing on crucial moments.

Japan's greatest strength lies in its consistently high-quality players, with a host of stars currently playing in Europe: Mitoma, Kubo, Endo, Tomiyasu, Minamino, Doan… This generation has grown up in a top-level football environment, possessing modern tactical thinking, pressure-handling skills, and a high-level competitive mindset. Under Moriyasu's guidance, they not only press well and transition quickly but also know how to maintain tactical discipline throughout the 90 minutes.

Japan became the first team in the world to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating a significant widening of the gap between them and the rest of Asia. More importantly, the Japanese team is establishing itself as a genuine contender, not just aiming to get past the group stage but to reach the quarter-finals, and even further. They are the brightest highlight of the continent's rising football standards.

While Japan is the most representative example of this breakthrough, we cannot ignore the names that laid the foundation for Asia's current position: South Korea, Iran, Australia, and more recently, Uzbekistan.

South Korea remains one of the most consistent Asian teams in the World Cup. Their semi-final appearance in 2002 is a milestone yet to be replicated by any other Asian team. But more than two decades after that success, South Korea has maintained its competitiveness at the global level thanks to its youth development system and a fast-paced, physically demanding football philosophy.

Meanwhile, Iran represents a different aspect: experience and stability. For many years, Iran has been the highest-ranked FIFA team in Asia and has consistently caused problems with its strong, disciplined playing style. They troubled Portugal and Spain at the 2018 World Cup and nearly advanced beyond the group stage. Iran's biggest strengths are its scientific defensive system, unity, and clear tactical thinking, despite lacking the number of players playing in Europe like Japan or South Korea.

Impressions at the U17 World Cup

While Japan is the leading force in Asia at the senior national team level, a new wave is emerging at the youth level, particularly from Uzbekistan and North Korea. At the 2025 U17 World Cup, all three representatives – Japan, North Korea, and Uzbekistan – advanced beyond the round of 16, ushering in one of Asia's most successful tournaments in history. Japan convincingly defeated South Africa 3-0; North Korea beat Venezuela 2-1; and Uzbekistan overcame Croatia on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, only South Korea was eliminated by England.

When Uzbekistan reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 U20 World Cup, many considered it a fleeting moment, but by the 2025 U17 World Cup, the perspective must change. Uzbekistan may not have many players playing abroad, but they possess something crucial for youth football: a unified training method from U13 to U20, unchanging with each term of office.

The simultaneous advancement of many representatives to the round of 16 shows that youth football development in Asia has become much more systematic and effective than before. Japan has a consistent youth training philosophy; North Korea is always renowned for its physical fitness and willpower; and Uzbekistan is proof of the strong rise of Central Asian football - a region once considered a "quiet spot" in Asia.

The rise of Asian football did not happen overnight. Four key factors have helped the continent close the gap with Europe and South America. Firstly, youth training systems are standardized according to the European model. Japan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, and the UAE all possess internationally recognized academies where the selection, training, and evaluation processes for players are digitized, reducing reliance on coaches' intuition.

Secondly, an increasing number of Asian players are competing in Europe, from major leagues like the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga to mid-level leagues. Thirdly, the mindset in football has changed. Many Asian teams are no longer "defensive and huddled," but are boldly pressing, controlling the ball, and playing on equal terms with strong opponents. Fourthly, the international schedule is more demanding, providing opportunities for Asian teams to compete against top teams from around the world.

So, has Asia reached world-class level yet? The answer is yes, they are very close, but to prove themselves at the World Cup, Asia still needs a breakthrough achievement. Japan is the most highly anticipated team, possessing both a solid foundation, good form, and confidence. South Korea, Iran, and Australia maintain their stability, and youth football nations like Uzbekistan and North Korea show a wealth of promising talent.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/bong-da-chau-a-vuon-tam-the-gioi-181915.html