2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification Listed below are the dates and results for the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for Asia. The Asian Football Confederation was allocated four and half qualifying berths for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, South Korea and Japan, the co-hosts, qualified automatically, leaving two and half spots open for competition between 40 teams. Myanmar withdrew from the tournament after being placed in Group 2 but before any matches had been played, therefore reducing the group to 3 teams. Afghanistan, Bhutan and North Korea chose not to participate. Asia's two
2002 FIFA World Cup knockout stage 2002 FIFA World Cup knockout stage At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the knockout stage was the second and final stage of the tournament, following the group stage. The top two teams from each group (16 total) advance to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination style tournament. A third place match is included and played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals. The top two placed teams from each of the eight groups qualified for the knockout stage. Two minutes from the end of regulation time, Oliver Kahn sent a goal kick down the field, which was