2014 FIFA WC QLF, AFC: Group B

Discussion in 'AFC: Tournaments' started by Nurafshon, Mar 9, 2012.

  1. druryfire

    druryfire Member

    Sep 10, 2007
    England
    But you still told me they are weak, basically out of their depth, now your back tracking to say derby games are hard to call.

    Yet when I've told you that they have beaten such and such a team you tell me old results don't matter. So what does matter? How are they the weakest team? Just because of seeding?

    Oman haven't played Iraq or Jordan in this cycle so how can we compare other than the recent results? The results that Oman beat them in but you say can't be used because they are old? If there old, then why you telling me about England - Scotland? They play last week?

    Earlier you tell me the Gulf Cup is irrelvant, but I think you will find quite a few of these nations we are discussing would tell you other wise, especially with the squads they send.
     
  2. druryfire

    druryfire Member

    Sep 10, 2007
    England
    Hmmm, Oman 1 - 0 Australia mean anything to you? Just last November. Hardly fits your logic.
     
  3. Rostam

    Rostam Member

    Dec 11, 2005
    This is a tough group and no team should be underestimated. I think both Japan and Australia will lose points against the other teams and the only way for one of these two teams to miss the WC is if it receives much of the accumulated damage that the other three would cause. Another word, Iraq, Jordan, and Oman are capable of gaining points against both Japan and Australia; if the damage is evenly distributed between the two (one loss and one or two draws) then they both will manage to advance but if one should receive the better part of the damage then that one is bound to have to go thru the play-offs.
     
  4. druryfire

    druryfire Member

    Sep 10, 2007
    England
    I tend to agree. I think Japan and Australia could lose points on their travels, but I also think that the other three teams will take points off each other generally evening it all out rather than one of the three Middle Eastern teams really taking the bull by the horns.

    I do think Japan and Australia have too much to offer, so 3rd place is up for grabs. But for Asian football, it's not good that we have the same similiar teams always getting through.

    Japan, Australia and Korea Republic look like qualifying for every competition, so the rest need to up their game.
     
  5. nimaa

    nimaa Member

    Apr 14, 2010
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    Not only you lost to them twice, you also managed a tie. All this since 2010. Check all the fixtures for the time period on FIFA.com

    Don't know about China, but Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan are all stronger than SA and they have all proven it.
     
  6. burning_phoneix

    Jul 13, 2008
    Saudi Arabia
    Club:
    Al Wehda Mecca
    Nat'l Team:
    Saudi Arabia
    We drew them once and lost to them in extra time in the Gulf Cup with our B team while they had an A team.

    The last match was just a friendly. If you're gonna count that then you might as well count the time after Asian Cup 2011 when we beat Jordan in Amman in July that same year....

    Of those three teams, I can say that Iraq is definitely better than KSA and the rest are equal and all are better than China.
     
  7. el-capitano

    el-capitano Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 30, 2005
    Sydney
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Australia
    Apart from Europe & Africa, the other three confeds almost have the same sides every time as well though. ;)
     
  8. teammellieIRANfan

    Feb 28, 2009
    Club:
    Perspolis
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran

    I remember seeing a list of Chinese national team players and what club they played for attached to it. They have a number of players abroad in Europe, and their national team is not that bad. They are fast and physical team, and gotten good impressive results in friendly matches.
    Not to mention their very good football infrastructure and resources.

    However, for some reason I cant understand, China really crumbles during WCQ.:confused:
    They havent made final stages of qualification since 2002 WCQ.
    I know its been said probably 1000 times, but I do think that are going to eventually rise up to their potential and become an Asian power house.
    I say for now, China is on par with Saudi Arabia.

    About the difficulties of the groups.
    Imo group D was harder because it had Australia in it. Otherwise i wouldnt go as far as saying that Thailand and SA are far better than China and Singapore. Pretty even if you ask me.
    In general group D was harder, but keep in mind that Iraq and Jordan got significantly more points than Oman. So overall I think Iraq and Jordan are likely to do better than Oman.
     
  9. AKITOD

    AKITOD Member+

    Apr 5, 2007
    Hobart, Aust
    Club:
    JEF United Ichihara
    Nat'l Team:
    Japan
    Taking results since roughly the end of 2010 in the more important stuff. Then yes China has actually outperformed SA. The only thing that keeps people thinking SA are better atm is their reputation from previous years.
     
  10. burning_phoneix

    Jul 13, 2008
    Saudi Arabia
    Club:
    Al Wehda Mecca
    Nat'l Team:
    Saudi Arabia
    It's just that China have done nothing to prove that they are even at the same level other than garner a few more points in AC2011.

    Hell, back in 2009 we beat them 4-1 in a friendly played in China. The level of play wasn't even close.
     
  11. Mussab86

    Mussab86 Member+

    Jan 20, 2006
    Jabriya, Kuwait
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Iraq
    Group B - Final Round: First Day Matches

    Jordan vs. Iraq
    Japan vs. Oman


    Your thoughts about these 2 matches?
     
  12. TigersOfAsia

    TigersOfAsia Member

    Aug 19, 2011
    Canada
    Nat'l Team:
    Korea Republic
    -Jordan and Iraq will draw
    -Japan will beat Oman but Al Habsi will keep it a low score.
     
  13. burning_phoneix

    Jul 13, 2008
    Saudi Arabia
    Club:
    Al Wehda Mecca
    Nat'l Team:
    Saudi Arabia
    Jordan vs Iraq will be a tight game. I expect a Japanese victory.
     
  14. teammellieIRANfan

    Feb 28, 2009
    Club:
    Perspolis
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    Jordan-Iraq:
    They each have a win against each other from previous round. However Iraq's loss came during a time when Zico was just hired by the Iraqi FA, and thus didnt have enough time to familiarize with the team or the players, and implement his game-plan.
    Iraq is now on a winning streak and if they can keep that momentum going into its first match against Jordan, I believe Iraq will win 2-1 over Jordan.

    Japan-Oman:
    Japan will win comfortably 3-0.
     
  15. GoYoungrokba

    GoYoungrokba Member+

    May 21, 2009
    Club:
    Suwon Bluewings
    Nat'l Team:
    Korea Republic
    Jordan vs. Iraq
    -I expect a 1-1 draw. It is just based on my gut. Plus I haven't followed the West Asian football for a while. I cannot make any knowledgeable comment.

    Japan vs. Oman
    -Kagawa, Honda, and co (assuming they will be at their full strength) will be too much for Oman to overcome though Al Habsi will keep Oman in the match. 2-0 Japan.
     
  16. almango

    almango Member+

    Sydney FC
    Australia
    Nov 29, 2004
    Bulli, Australia
    Club:
    Sydney FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Australia
    My thoughts on what sides would be aiming for in their matches. I think 14 points should see a side safely in the top 2 (Nth Korea made it with 12 last time on GD). As such, a side needs to plot out where it can pick up a minimum 14 points.

    Australia - We are currently ranked number 1 in Asia and as such would be aiming to win all 4 home games. We would also be aiming to win in Jordan and Oman, and would be happy with away draws against Japan and Iraq. As such the aim is 20 points which is more than enough to qualify. If we win all our home games we can afford to slip up away a couple of times.

    Japan - I think Japans aim would be exactly the same as ours. Win all home games and add a couple of away draws and a couple of away wins to that tally. They are Asian Champions and despite having a slightly off key 3rd round will be aiming to bounce back in round 4

    Iraq. - A side that have the confidence to play against the top teams without giving up if some things go against them in play. Makes them dangerous. I believe that they would be aiming to win all 4 home games and pick up 3 draws away (against Australia, Jordan and Oman). This would give them 15 points and send them to Brazil.

    Jordan - Newcomers to this round but have had a good Asian Cup and good 3rd round performance so they will not be overawed and happy with just making this round. They should be aiming to win all home games and pick up a couple of draws, probably against their nearer neighbours, to get them to 14.

    Oman - I think their aim will be exactly as it is for Jordan. A home win against Australia in round 3 will have them thinking they can do it again, and also beat the other teams at home.

    I wouldn't expect all matches to go to plan for every team (impossible really) but I don't think their is a team in the group who wouldn't be thinking they have a chance to go to Brazil.
     
  17. Suren01

    Suren01 Member+

    Apr 9, 2012
    Netherlands
    Nat'l Team:
    Iraq
    I expect Iraq to win 2-1 over Jordan, and Japan 2-0 over Oman

    I think Australia and Iraq will make it to the final round, with Japan to the play-offs. :)
     
  18. Gold is the Colour

    Dec 17, 2005
    Perth Australia
    Club:
    Perth Glory
    Nat'l Team:
    Australia
    This could be good for Asia. Japan would do well v C-Bol no 6 and be a good chance to still qualify, Iraq will still be decent at least at the actual WC.
     
  19. Suren01

    Suren01 Member+

    Apr 9, 2012
    Netherlands
    Nat'l Team:
    Iraq
    Yes I hope so. It is indeed as you say. But we'll see how it will run :)
     
  20. nimaa

    nimaa Member

    Apr 14, 2010
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    Iraq's track record says otherwise so not gonna happen.

    Iraq's record against top Asian teams:

    Against Iran: lost 12, won 4, tied 4
    Against Korea: lost 5, won 1, tied 10
    Against Japan: 2-2-2
    Against AUS: lost 4, won 2, tied 1

    conclusion: Iraq's 2 wins against Japan were in 81 and 82. That's 3 decades ago and when Japan was nothing in Asia. So the 2-2-2 record is still not in Iraq's favour.

    With AUS, Iraq has a better track record, but it's still nothing to boast about. Out of the 7 matches played with AUS, 4 have been WCQ games and 3 have gone in AUS' favour.



    When it comes to World Cup, everybody tries their best. I don't think Iraq's best is better than Japan's best or AUS' best and the history proves it. Can Iraq do it? Yes, the Asian Cup proved it; but Iraq is still fielding pretty much the same set of players if I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong plz) and that's why I give Japan and AUS the bigger chance to finish top 2.

    Edit: so I just checked again and I realized I wasn't consistent. Out of AUS' 3 WCQ wins, 2 were back in the day. I guess I should dicount those since I discounted Iraq's wins against Japan from 3 decades ago. I still think Iraq has to do something special to finish top 2.
     
  21. druryfire

    druryfire Member

    Sep 10, 2007
    England
    I agree, if they came top two, then I would say at this time of speaking that Japan and/or Australia would have to have had seriously bad campaigns.

    If Iraq want to really make a noise they need to win all 'home' games and take at least 4 points from the away games to Japan and Australia and I just can't see them doing it. If they did, it would be special and worthy of qualification.

    As I see it, Jordan, Iraq will battle for 3rd spot with Oman somewhat lacking behind. Australia and Japan will tkae top two, in which position won't matter just like in 2010 when all was said and done way before the end.
     
  22. burning_phoneix

    Jul 13, 2008
    Saudi Arabia
    Club:
    Al Wehda Mecca
    Nat'l Team:
    Saudi Arabia
    How long ago are you counting results from? Just curious.
     
  23. nimaa

    nimaa Member

    Apr 14, 2010
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    With Iran and Korea, the results are so one-sided that I didn't care about the dates, just straight up used the head to head from FIFA.

    With Japan, the two Iraqi wins are from 3 decades ago. Japan was shit back then. They only began their rise in the 90's. So I discounted those two.

    With AUS, 2 of AUS wins are from the 70's, so those should be discounted too. But I still think AUS' best is better than Iraq's best and that's what matters for World Cup Qualifiers; teams bring their best to WCQs.
     
  24. Mussab86

    Mussab86 Member+

    Jan 20, 2006
    Jabriya, Kuwait
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Iraq
    I don't care what happened in the 70's !! I think Iraq has a big chance in this qualifications to qualify to the world cup.
     
  25. Suren01

    Suren01 Member+

    Apr 9, 2012
    Netherlands
    Nat'l Team:
    Iraq
    I think, based on the last matches of Iraq, that we can qualify. Australia is no problem for us. Japan is difficult. (But at least we have Zico, who knows their team well :D ) It's all about confidence. As long as we keep believing in ourselves everything should be fine.

    Iraq has always been an underrated team. Always the underdog. But we shall see. I have confidence in this team!
     

Share This Page