China on Friday emerged as clear favorite to clinch their first World Cup finals berth when they were drawn into the considerably weaker group for Asia's final qualifying round, the Bangkok Post reported Saturday. The tougher Group A comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Thailand and Iran. Favorites Saudi Arabia and Iran, who both qualified for the 1998 finals, are confident that they will make it again this time around. Despite the dream draw, Milutinovic was not celebrating, although he admitted that avoiding Saudi Arabia and Iran was a good thing. Every game will be tough.
Every team is tough.
Everyone wants to win. But we have to work hard. If China qualify, Milutinovic will set a record by coaching five different nations in five finals. He coached Mexico in 1986, Costa Rica in 1990, the United States in 1994 and Nigeria in 1998. It is almost certain that Milutinovic will get the axe if China fail to reach the finals, the report said.