LETTERS: The Qatar World Cup's major upsets are revealing.
Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1, Japan overcame Germany 2-1 and Iran surprised Wales 2-0.
England, after demolishing Iran 6-2, stumbled in its second game with a draw against the United States, but progressed to the knockout stage by beating Wales 3-0.
Favourites France, Portugal and Brazil progressed to the next stage serenely.
Japan and South Korea are the Asian teams of world-class standards.
This is another way of saying that it's difficult to see beyond these two nations as Asia's representatives in the next World Cup.
But that does not mean that we shouldn't try. If we do, then the challenge is to be better than what's on display in Qatar.
Brawn, speed and skill. These are the three things our players need to have for any chance of going up against these two Asian giants.
In terms of height and strength, Japanese and Korean players have improved in these areas. They no longer seem smaller or slower when playing against top sides.
Japan's two goals against Germany owed as much to strength as well as speed and skill.
South Korean players showed they could match Uruguay and Ghana in terms of physicality and skill.
They can hold their heads high despite losing.
Also, some Japanese and South Korean players play in European leagues.
So can we match those standards? Not now. More time is needed. Attitudes need to change. Improvements in all areas of the game are needed.
A. ABDULLAH
Shah Alam, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times