Jason Pine: Strong teams leave World Cup early

Giovanni Simeone of Argentina reacts after a missed opportunity against Austria. Photo / Getty

As the curtain comes down on the group stages of this wonderful tournament, we say goodbye to the eight countries who have failed to progress to the knockout rounds.

Myanmar
The Asian debutants showed for large periods that they were technically a good side, if lacking in size. They took the lead against both the USA and New Zealand and were the width of the crossbar away from going 2-0 up against the Junior All Whites. As games wore on they found the going tough, conceding 11 second-half goals. German coach Gerd Zeise was a colourful character who provided insight and eccentricity in equal measure in post-match media conferences.

Argentina
Before the tournament started, it would be incomprehensible that the South American super-powers wouldn't win a game, let alone get out of their group. In fact, they were joint favourites to win the World Cup. In their opening match against Panama they showed glimpses of why they had been heavily backed, but also a fair slice of defensive naivety which was to be their downfall in a 3-2 loss to Ghana in their second game. Austria parked the bus in the final group match and an increasingly frustrated Argentina were unable to penetrate and gain the win which would have seen them through, albeit narrowly. Instead, they'll go home early to a no doubt unforgiving reception.

Panama
Having watched Panama twice in Wellington, I find it hard to believe they're not only going home, but mustered just a solitary point in their three matches. In their opening match they twice came from behind with two stunning goals to draw with Argentina and were the equal of their highly regarded opponents for much of the game. Against Austria, their goalkeeper saved two penalties and they were still chasing the game deep into injury time with only nine men before eventually losing 2-1 and only a late goal saw them lose 1-0 to Ghana. There are teams in the round of 16 who aren't as good as the plucky Panamanians.

Qatar
The oil-rich Qataris did everything they could in the lead-up to this World Cup to boost their side's chances of success, including funding a five-nation build-up tournament. Unfortunately this didn't translate into results, with Qatar losing all three matches and managing just a single goal. There's much to do if Qatar are to impress in the 2022 World Cup which they'll (presumably still) host.

Mexico
Mexico looked every inch a tournament dark horse in the first half of their opening game against Mali, before two second-half red cards scuppered their chances and saw them fall to defeat against the Africans. They bounced back to beat Uruguay 2-1 in their second game, but the tight nature of Pool D and a 2-0 loss to Serbia in their final group game sealed their fate and sent them home.

Korea DPR
There was little to enthuse about from North Korea. The high point came early, when they scored a nice goal to draw level with Hungary half an hour into their opening game in New Plymouth, but from there it was all downhill. They failed to score for the rest of the tournament and conceded 12 goals, all but one of those in the second half of games. My pick for the worst team at the tournament.

Honduras
It was a forgettable tournament for the CONCACAF nation, despite a first-up 4-3 win over Uzbekistan. It all went pear-shaped after that though, with an embarrassing loss to minnows Fiji and a 5-1 hiding at the hands of Germany in an abject final group match. They came to New Zealand with lofty expectations but depart with their reputation dented.

Fiji
Many feared for Fiji after a fearful 8-1 hiding at the hands of Germany in their opening match, but they bounced back to stun Honduras 3-0 in their second group game, raising anticipation of progress to the knockout rounds in their very first appearance at a FIFA tournament. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, with a 3-0 loss to Uzbekistan putting paid to those hopes. Nonetheless, they won many admirers through their uninhibited style and unbridled joy when things did go right for them.