Asian Cup 2019: 3 Reasons Why Australia will find it tough to defend the title

#2 Poor FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and Finals run

Australia failed to register a single victory in the FIFA World Cup

Australia had the poorest run in the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup amongst the AFC countries. They lost 2-1 to eventual champions France in their opening match and drew 1-1 with Denmark. With only pride in stakes in their last match against Peru, they lost 2-0.

Saudi Arabia was hammered by Russia 5-0 in the curtain opener but came back strongly against Uruguay to lose 1-0. In the final group stage game against Egypt, they even beat the African nation 2-1.

Iran came third in their group after beating Morocco 1-0, losing 1-0 to Spain, and holding Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal 1-1. South Korea, too, finished third in their group but they can boast of knocking out defending champions Germany out of the tournament.

Japan was the only side to squeeze through their group after pipping Senegal on fair-play points. In their Round of 16 encounter against Belgium, they were leading until the 73rd minute before losing 3-2.

Australia's performance when compared with the Asian heavyweights in FIFA World Cup doesn't paint a rosy picture.

Moreover, they even qualified to the tournament by the skin of their teeth. They had to play a play-off against Syria which they won 3-2 narrowly in the extra-time.