Listed below are the dates and results for the 1974 FIFA World Cupqualification rounds for the Asian and Oceanian zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification. India, Sri Lanka and the Philippines withdrew before the matches were played. The remaining 15 teams were divided into 2 zones, based on geographical and political considerations, as follows:
* Classification matches: All teams except Korea Republic would be paired up to play preliminary matches to determine group classification.
* Group stage: Based on the results of the classification matches, the 7 teams were divided into 2 groups. The teams played against each other once. The group winners and runners-up would advance to the semifinals.
* Semifinals: The winner of Group 1 played against the runner-up of Group 2 in a single match, and the winner of Group 2 played against the runner-up of Group 1 in a single match. The winners would advance to the Final.
* Final: The 2 teams played against each other in a single match. The winner would advance to the Final Round.
Zone B had 8 teams. There would be two stages of play:
* Group stage: The 8 teams were divided into 2 groups of 4 teams each. The teams played against each other twice. The group winners would advance to the final.
* Final: The 2 teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would advance to the Final Round.
In the Final Round, the winners of Zone A and Zone B played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would qualify.
Zone A
Classification Matches
---- ---- Based on the results, South Vietnam, Japan and Hong Kong were placed in Group 1, while Thailand, Israel and Malaysia were placed in Group 2 with Korea Republic.
Group 1
Rank
Team
1
4
2
2
0
0
2
0
+2
2
2
2
1
0
1
4
1
+3
3
0
2
0
0
2
0
5
−5
---- ---- Hong Kong and Japan advanced to the Zone A Semifinals.
Group 2
Rank
Team
1
5
3
2
1
0
9
0
+9
2
4
3
1
2
0
4
0
+4
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
3
−1
4
0
3
0
0
3
0
12
−12
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Israel and Korea Republic advanced to the Zone A Semifinals.
Semifinals
---- Korea Republic and Israel advanced to the Zone A Final.
Final
Korea Republic advanced to the Final Round.
Zone B
Group 1
Rank
Team
1
9
6
4
1
1
7
3
+4
2
7
6
3
1
2
6
6
0
3
5
6
1
3
2
5
5
0
4
3
6
1
1
4
4
8
−4
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Iran advanced to the Zone B Final.
Group 2
Rank
Team
1
9
6
3
3
0
15
6
+9
2
8
6
3
2
1
11
6
+5
3
4
6
1
2
3
6
13
−7
4
3
6
0
3
3
5
12
−7
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Australia advanced to the Zone B Final.
Final
Australia advanced to the Final Round.
Final round
The aggregate score was tied 2-2, and a play-off on neutral ground was played to decide who would qualify. Australia qualified, via the play-off.
