<Tr> <Td> Japan </Td> <Td> 32 </Td> <Td> Round 1 </Td> <Td> lost 1 - 2 Ivory Coast, drew 0 - 0 Greece, lost 1 - 4 Colombia, </Td> <Td> Alberto Zaccheroni </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Korea </Td> <Td> 32 </Td> <Td> Round 1 </Td> <Td> drew 1 - 1 Russia, lost 2 - 4 Algeria, lost 0 - 1 Belgium </Td> <Td> Hong Myung - bo </Td> </Tr> <P> The Indonesian team, prior to independence in 1945 . Indonesia was the first Asian team to participate in the FIFA World Cup when the team qualified for the 1938 tournament after its opponent, Japan, withdrew from the qualification heats . The 6--0 loss to eventual finalists Hungary in the first round of the tournament in Reims, France, remains the nation's only appearance in the World Cup . The straight knock - out format used at the time made it the only game ever played by the Indonesians . Thus, Indonesia holds the World Cup record as the team with the fewest matches played (1) and one of the teams with the fewest goals scored (0). They were 15th place in the rankings . </P> <P> Burma, Philippines and Indonesia withdrew before the draw, so India qualified automatically . India later also withdrew because of the expense of travelling (or, according to some reports, after a FIFA ruling that players were not allowed to play barefoot). Other teams economised by sailing, rather than flying, to the tournament . FIFA decided not to invite another team, leaving the World Cup three teams short . </P>

What was the first asian country to qualify for the world cup