If the expanded World Cup format turned out to be an opportunity for Africa, the opposite applies to Asia.

From 27 games played, Asia’s nine representatives only managed three victories at 0.67 points per game.

African nations played 30 matches and won 10 at 1.33 points per game.

In the final round of group games there were five Africa v Asia matches crucial for qualification. Asian countries did not win any of them, losing four.

Four years ago, Australia, Japan and South Korea made the first knockout round.

This time it is just Australia and Japan.

While African teams have grown and improved – five qualified for the knockout phase for the first time – Asia has gone backwards.

“Other than Japan, Australia and maybe Iran, every team needs to improve,” said Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro after his team lost all three matches.

The consequences of South Korea’s failure, ultimately caused by a shock defeat by South Africa in their final match, have been huge.

South Korea President Lee Jae Myung called for an investigation into the team’s poor performance, calling it “a failure of organisation and personnel”.

Hours later, head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned after two years in charge.

Jordan, making their World Cup debut, lost all three matches, scoring three goals and conceding eight.

Jamal Sellami, Jordan’s head coach, gave a reason for the huge gulf in performance.

“Because African players compete in the major European leagues,” Sellami said.

“The most important thing for Jordanian football, if it is to have a greater chance of achieving results, is to have players competing in stronger and more competitive leagues.”

The numbers support this with 20 of Morocco’s 26-man squad playing in Europe, and 15 of those in the top five leagues.

DR Congo, the last African nation to qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs, has 24 players in Europe – though only 11 in a major league.

Only Egypt has a low number, with 17 players at clubs in the domestic league and six at a European team.

For Jordan, forward Musa Al-Taamari is the sole player in Europe, at French club Rennes.

Iraq and Uzbekistan have three in Europe, and Iran have four.

There is no comparison to Asia’s best-performing countries. Japan have 23 players in Europe, Australia 16 and South Korea 15.

It shows the gap in development which has to be bridged.

The Asian confederation has much work to do to try to catch up with Africa and show its teams can be competitive in this expanded format.