Goal.com Asia has graded each team’s performance relative to expectations and past records.

Group One:

1: Australia 7 2: Qatar 4 3: China 3 4: Iraq 1

Australia: A

’Win at home and draw away’ is the qualification mantra and it is one that the Socceroos are following to the letter. A victory against Qatar was as comfortable as they come while the Iraqi win was less so but maximum points at home make the fighting 0-0 draw in China a very good result.

Qatar: B

A disappointing opening day defeat down under has been followed by four points collected at home. It has been a reasonable first half for Jorge Fossati’s team who may feel however, that it should have been a little better.

China: B

Three draws from three games doesn’t sound great but two of them came from tough away day encounters in Dubai and Doha. A solid foundation has been set.

Iraq: D

The talented Asian Champions are staring elimination in the face. It started well with a good first half against China but a second-half implosion gave the Desert Foxes their solitary point so far. A lacklustre performance in Qatar was punished and a narrow defeat in Brisbane was unlucky but it is not looking good.

Group Two

1: Bahrain 9 2: Japan 6 3: Oman 3 4: Thailand 0

Bahrain: A+

You can’t get better than perfect –especially when two of the wins have come away from Manama.

Japan: B

Two home wins were pretty comfortable with the defeat in Bahrain a sizeable blemish. Six points out of nine however is a good return.

Oman: C

There is no point defeating Thailand and then losing to Bahrain and Japan. Three points behind Japan and six points behind Bahrain at the halfway stage is disappointing.

Thailand: C

The two disappointing defeats in Bangkok at the hands of Oman and Bahrain have ended Thailand’s interest in the 2010 World Cup.

Group Three

1: South Korea 5 2: North Korea 5 3: Jordan 4 4: Turkmenistan 1

South Korea: B-

A comfortable 4-0 Turkmenistan was a perfect start and a goalless draw against North Korea was fine. What wasn’t was the way in which the Taeguk Warriors allowed a 2-0 lead at home to Jordan to slip. For Korea’s high qualification standards five points is a little disappointing.

North Korea: B+

A five-point haul from two away games and a home match against group favourites South Korea is a more than adequate start for the DPRK.

Jordan: B+

A disappointing opening match home defeat at the hands of North Korea has been followed by two good results. A win at the home of the Turkmen was followed by a gutsy 2-2 draw in Seoul.

Turkmenistan: C

An opening game defeat in Seoul was no disgrace but a home defeat at the hands of Jordan was a disappointment. The Central Asian nation wasn’t expected to progress but being cut adrift at the bottom was also not part of the plan either and that is a danger.

Group Four

1: Uzbekistan 9 2: Saudi Arabia 6 3: Singapore 3 4: Lebanon 0

Uzbekistan: A+

The stars of the show so far. 3-0 at home to Saudi Arabia and 7-3 at Singapore are as good as results as you will see in Asian football all year. Already with one foot and more in the fourth and final round.

Saudi Arabia: B

Three points clear of third place is always a nice cushion to have but a 3-0 defeat in Tashkent will not be easily forgotten.

Singapore: C

It would be a huge achievement for Singapore to reach the next round especially after a 7-3 home defeat against Uzbekistan. Signs are, it isn’t going to happen.

Lebanon: C

It’s a big ask for Lebanon in a group with two of Asia’s best teams and the tough-to-beat Singapore.

Group Five

1: UAE 5 2: Syria 5 3: Iran 3 4: Kuwait 1

UAE: A-

Only one win but two draws at the home of biggest rivals Iran and Syria have put Bruno Metsu’s men in with a great chance of a place in the final round.

Syria: A

So far so good for the Syrians. A draw at the Azadi in Tehran was an excellent way to start the campaign. There is still some way to go but much hard work has been done.

Iran: C-

No defeats from three matches would not have been a huge surprise to fans of Team Melli but no wins will be. Two draws at home is disappointing as was allowing Kuwait to fight back from two goals down.

Kuwait: C

Two defeats have put Kuwait in a difficult position and four points from second place at the halfway stage is likely too big a gap.