WCQ Review: 60 matches produced 137 goals

A total of 137 goals were posted In 60 matches which means fans were treated on an average to a goal every 39 minutes of action.

Uzbekistan racked up the most goals, 15, on way to a berth in the last ten stage in which they were the earliest arrivals with two rounds to spare. Almost half of these goals were clocked when Rauf Inileev’s side carried out a ruthless 7-3 demolition of Singapore on the third matchday.

This was also the biggest scoreline – a goal was logged every nine minutes – win of this phase.

In stark contrast, Uzbekistan’s neighbours Turkmenistan proved to be sorely lacking in goal-poaching instincts and bulged the net just once in six matches.

In the goal-scoring department, Saudi Arabia followed the Uzbeks close behind with 14 goals while Japan finished with a tally of 12 goals.

DPR Korea proved to be the most stingy side and kept a clean slate throughout the 540 minutes of action. Iran conceded just two goals while the Japanese, Korea Republic and Australian goalkeepers were forced to pick the ball out of their nets thrice.

Defence was not exactly the forte of either Lebanon or Thailand as rivals plundered the two sides for 14 goals each. On an average, the Lebanese and Thai defences were pierced 2.33 times in every match.

In terms of goal difference, Saudi Arabia and Japan were best placed with +9 each while Turkmenistan and Lebanon ran up a massive deficit of -11.

2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers
3rd round – All goals