AFC - ASIA, The first round matches of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Asia received excellent support from the fans despite the current cold weather experienced by the host nations, particularly Japan and Uzbekistan.

Top of the table was the sell-out crowd at the Saitama stadium which saw 59,399 fans braving the 2 degrees Celsius weather. Tickets were sold out the moment they were released.

In Uzbekistan where the temperature was even lower at -1 degrees Celcius, there were 45,000 spectators who witnessed the late equalizing striker by Soliev to earn the home-side a valuable point against Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain too saw 25,000 fans filled their 30,000 capacity stadium and the team was unlucky not to convert the chances that they had. Juricic’s players though showed they do belong with the big guns and will be hoping the 0-0 draw against IR Iran is just a platform for improved performances in what is their first participation at the FIFA World Cup qualifiers (final round).

Meanwhile, the Seoul World Cup stadium reported a crowd of over 35,000 in a weather condition which was at -8 degrees Celcius