here is how the WCQ draw is completed for AFC...
Stage 4 World Cup Qualifying Draw
Monday, 23 June 2008
The AFC has announced the mechanics for the fourth and final round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which will take place on Friday, June 27, 2008, at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The top-two teams from each of the five groups playing in the third round qualified for the final phase, which will run from September 6, 2008, to June 17, 2009.
Australia is ranked as the top seed, based on the ranking of the teams in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, as confirmed by FIFA, followed by Korea Republic, Iran, while Saudi Arabia and Japan are joint fourth.
1) Australia
2) Korea Republic
3) Iran
4) Saudi Arabia and Japan (joint-fourth)
With all the five top seeds qualifying for the fourth round, Japan and Saudi Arabia, who are tied fourth, will be separated by a draw as recommended by the AFC Competitions Committee and ratified by the AFC Executive Committee.
THE DRAW MECHANISM
POT 1
Rank 1 - Australia
Rank 2 - Korea Republic
POT 2
Rank 3 - Iran
Rank 4 - Saudi Arabia/Japan
POT 3
Rank 5 - Saudi Arabia/Japan
Rank 6 - TBC
POT 4
Rank 7 - TBC
Rank 8 - TBC
Rank 9 - TBC
Rank 10 - TBC
If rankings from the 2006 World Cup finals and qualifiers are the indicator towards the Pot Ranks, then Bahrain is likely to be ranked 6, as it played in the play-off with Trinidad & Tobago to decide which team went to the finals in Germany. That would leave Uzbekistan, Qatar, UAE and DPR Korea as the remaining teams in Pot 4.
Draw Steps
Step 1: Teams will be divided into 4 pots according to ranking. Ranking will be based on the 2006 FIFA World Cup as approved by FIFA.
(Note: In the event that Japan and Saudi Arabia qualify, there will first be a draw to separate Japan and Saudi Arabia as they are currently tied fourth. First ball drawn will be put into Pot 2 as the 4th ranked team.)
Step 2: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 4. First ball drawn into position A5; second ball drawn into position B5, third ball drawn into position A4; fourth ball drawn into position B4
Step 3: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 3. First ball drawn into position A3; second ball drawn into position B3
Step 4: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 2. First ball drawn into position A2; second ball drawn into position B2
Step 5: Teams to be drawn out of Pot 1. First ball drawn into position A1; second ball drawn into position B1
MATCH SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)
TWO GROUPS OF FIVE: HOME AND AWAY
MD 1: September 6, 2008 - 3 v 2, 5 v 4 (1 bye) - Australia bye
MD 2: September 10, 2008 - 4 v 1; 5 v 3 (2 bye) - Australia away
MD 3: October 15, 2008 - 1 v 5; 2 v 4 (3 bye) Australia home
MD 4: November 19, 2008 - 5 v 2; 3 v 1 (4 bye) Australia away
MD 5: February 11, 2009 - 4 v 3; 2 v 1 (5 bye) Australia away
MD 6: March 28, 2009 - 2 v 3, 4 v 5 (1 bye) Australia bye
MD 7: April 1, 2009 - 1 v 4; 3 v 5 (2 bye) Australia home
MD 8: June 6, 2009 - 5 v 1; 4 v 2 (3 bye) Australia away
MD 9: June 10, 2009 - 2 v 5; 1 v 3 (4 bye) Australia home
MD 10: June 17, 2009 - 3 v 4; 1 v 2 (5 bye) Australia home
Stage 4 World Cup Qualifying Draw
Linear Mode
