We never expected to be first choice. We were counting on being the second choice as as other bids failed. That was apparently based on undertakings given. As it turned out 2 people claimed they voted for us (after the vote) and we got 1 vote. Qatar was well placed from the beginning with a base of 10 or 11 votes. The AFC president Mohammed Bin Hammam was of course behind the Qatar bid
The theory (based on promises) was to get the next round and as Japan and South Korea were eliminated to get their votes Then with Japan and Korea eliminated the 3 way vote would see the Qatar vs us (with the Sth Korea and Japan votes) and the USA with the USA eliminated. Then the hope was that the USA votes would swing to us.
First round: Australia 1, Japan 3, USA 3, South Korea 4, Qatar 11 (Australia eliminated)
Second round: Japan 2 votes, Korea Republic 5 votes, Qatar 10 votes and USA 5 votes (Japan eliminated)
Third round: Korea Republic 5 votes, Qatar 11 votes, USA 6 votes (Korea Republic eliminated)
Fourth round: Qatar 14 votes and USA 8 votes (Qatar obtained an absolute majority)