Six teams v five in each group...I think it really makes a difference, you don't have one team having an off day each round like before,... more games, more rounds, more intensity....
Australia tends to struggle in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Three of their four remaining games are at home, so I think they will qualify for at least the play-off at the end. I've watched most of the games and it's safe to say this group is more difficult than the opposite one. The group A is rather disappointing. South Korea is in terrible form thanks to the bloody fool and their A team lost to China for the first time. Uzbekistan has declined a lot compared to the last edition. Syria, who beat Uzbekistan and tied South Korea and Iran was destroyed by Japan at the second round both at home (0-3) and away (0-6). The Group A's #4 is Syria and Group B's #4 is UAE. It just shows the quality difference between the two groups.
Australia were very lucky to escape with that potentially valuable point last night. Iraq certainly adapted better to the goat paddock that the game was played on. Hopefully Iraq can keep up their efforts and take points from the other group leaders now. And I hope Australia can get back to Tehran sometime soon for a real match vs Iran in front of 100,000 people instead of the couple of thousand last night.
The race is 3 way definitely - Japan , KSA and Australia. And the next match day will put a stamp once for all. KSA and Australia will come offvictory in the next match day 90% which den will proceed to the next match day Australia vs KSA which will be by far the deciding factor who will get automatic qualification. Japan will cruise on from here...
That would be nice but there is no way a friendly match (which I assume you are talking about) between Iran and Australia would attract 100.000 people. Only if it was a World Cup qualifier. Friendly would draw maybe 10.000, 20 at best.
I hope UAE gets a positive result against Australia in Australia (even a draw will be good enough) to aim for 3rd spot finish.
You seem to be sure that KSA will win on Tuesday. Well I can tell you that Iraq has the motivation to play out of their skins against Saudi Arabia Losing this game means elimination for Iraq, so I don't think it will be given away that easily.
No friendlies are pointless to be wasted on Asian opponents, I'm happy to wait for next WC qualifying.
IFF and CQ asked socceroos twice for friendly and each time they were snubbed by Australian FA in past couple of years. I don't think our FA is eager to fall for it anytime soon.
I saw a comment from your coach that the biggest obstacle in organising an Iran v Australia friendly was the way both nations organise friendlies, with Australia preferring to map out a schedule a long way in advance (probably so we can advertise and sell tickets more easily) and Iran being a bit more short term in its friendly programme (I think this helps target friendly opponents that may help prepare for competitive matches). In any case, I would rather a real match than a friendly so maybe it can happen in the next Asian Cup. Its a shame that two teams that have always been at worst in the top six Asian teams since we joined have yet to play a competitive match. I had a look to see which nations we have played in competitive matches since joining AFC (Asian Cup and World Cup only, not regional tournaments) and we have played 17 different nations. From the current top 10 nations in FIFA rankings its only Iran and Syria we have yet to play against.
Don't agree with the last bit. Last friendly we played against a "big" asian team was against korea and almost 20,000 watched that. Keep in mind, the match started at 3pm. If we play Australia with a 6 or 7pm kick off there will be 30-50,000 in attendance.
Referred to at the end of this article: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au...s-chances-in-tehran/bvlbhw65kb1k1w0wd1nh4vei6
I second that. We are fighting against Japan who has many proven players in Europe, Reigning Asian Cup champions Australia and the golden generation of the UAE but still we remain at the top of the table. Hats off to Bert van Marwijk.
KSA vs Iraq - If to believe some of the members here and Iraq will be decide who will qualify from this group and play out of there skins to beat KSA, then it will be a entertaining contest. I am so far not optimistic of any KSA matches but for this match I am confident KSA will be favorites and will come out with easy win. Consedering , KSA has most goals for 12 so far and scored in every game of the campaign, you can expect some goals . Iraq has conceded 9 and have never won away plus 2 away matches without scoring any goals. So by stats Iraq looks weak away. Prediction - KSA 3-0 Iraq
New year was march 20th. Many places only close for a couple of days. I assume by march 23rd some places should be open for tourism because many Iranians travel inside Iran for few days after new year which is good for business.
Why don't you mention last game between Iraq and KSA where your team was completely dominated, only to win by 2 penalties? Anyway I think it'll be a close game. Iraq has nothing to lose now, and we'll have last game fresh in our minds. I think a draw or narrow win is likely.
Don't be over-confident and don't take Iraq too lightly, it will not be a walk in the park for Saudi Arabia since Iraq is in Saudi Arabia not to be on picnic but means business. Iraq would at least look for a draw if not a win since Iraq will aim for 3rd spot finish. This match will not be light in any means and it will be very similar to KSA's game against UAE where first goal came just 20 minutes before the end of that match. I hope KSA plays a neat football and shoot at sight if not able to piece together any constructive move to score by getting into penalty area. I recon it will be a close game with 1-0 the final score to say the least. Remember, Iraqi players know that they either need a positive result or look for future contests if the match is lost. Though, if I were to be Iraqi player then I would look for a draw to give edge to both Arab teams, and look forward to gain 7 points in remaining 3 games after Saudi to make the total point of Iraq at least 12 and see where it goes from there.
I came with these analysis after looking at recent performance. No body was happy with KSA winning ugly against Thailand and Iraq in first 2 opening matches..But now things have changed and KSA are playing quite well plus at home so yes they are good favourites
Fine, but Iraq also played very well recently i.e., winning against Iran 1-0 in Iran, and then drew with Australia 1-1 so, Iraq has a very good match practice against strong oppositions and it won't be that easy to beat them ... Saudi Arabia should start the match in the same way Saudi started against Timor Leste and against Australia i.e., imposed high pressure in the first 20 minutes or so in the match and got the early goal... If Saudi succeeds in getting a goal at least in the first 20 minutes of the match then it will be some relief for many Saudi players on the pitch. The only requirement would be to maintain the lead and consolidate it if any chance received later in the name. No slippage from Saudi in this game specially from Salman Al Faraj who most of the times plays dangerous game in his own half and give the ball possession away to opposing team. Same goes for any other player who think of themselves as Captain Planet and eventually put his own team under pressure.
By the Way, the most import game in this group today is the game between Australia & UAE... It's a must win game for both teams so I expect it to be on high tempo... UAE would probably be playing a counter-attacking sort of a game whereas if I were a UAE coach and knowing that I need to win the game to have a shot at qualifier then I would definitely go for all-out-attack since it's useless to defend against a well versed opposition like Australia... When you corner the cat in any corner then the cat does not defends or runs away but attacks back at you... UAE is the cat who is cornered and should attack.