Around half of the World Cup finalists have already been decided and preparatory matches on the road to Russia have started for many of these teams. Here are some of the results from these friendly matches for teams that have already booked their place in Russia, including the Russians who will there as hosts. Please post other such friendly results in this thread. October 10 2017 Russia v Iran 1:1 (0:0) Morocco v South Korea 3:1 (2:0) Japan v Haiti 3:3 (2:1) Saudi Arabia v Ghana 0:3 (0:1) October 7 2017 Russia v South Korea 4:2 (1:0) October 6 2017 Japan v New Zealand 2:1 (0:0) October 5 2017 Iran v Togo 2:0 (0:0)
the russia game showed the difference between europe and asia. we barely conceded a goal in asia but in this game against stronger opposition we conceded. we are roughly on the same level as russia. i see us finishing 3rd in our group. if its a difficult group, maybe last. if it is an easy group, with luck, possibly 2nd, but unlikely. i am happy we got such a good friendly though. hopefully instead of the usual 2-3 friendlies the year before the world cup, we get at least 4.
I agree in the besides conceding, we also did find our defense exposed more than a few times. Which was not something I was used to seeing based on our past performances against Asian teams. The friendly results I have posted also suggest Asian football isn't in great shape right now. Iran aside, the rest of the Asian teams haven't been getting any good results. South Korea losing 3:1 to Morocco after losing 4:2 to Russia. Japan tying Haiti 3:3. And Saudi Arabia losing 3:0 to Ghana. Not exactly impressive results from the Asian contingent that will be at the World Cup with Iran the only partial exception.
Looking ahead, the following international friendlies have been confirmed. 10.11. 13:00 Russia Argentina 10.11. 22:00 England Germany 10.11. 22:00 Japan Brazil 14.11. 22:00 England Brazil
its not looking good for Asia but much can change in over half a year. Saudi Arabia lost 3-0 at home to a Ghana side without pretty much all of its best players and Korea lost 3-1 to Morocco's bench warmers. Japan drawing Haiti at home and beating New Zealand by one goal doesn't do much for their reputation either. Iran seems to be the best side and drawing with Russia away is a decent result, but take into account that Russia has been very crap for quite some time. They will likely be the worst European team at the upcomming world cup. Unless something changes drastically I see AFC teams all going home after 3 matches.
I give Iran a decent shot (depending on the draw) of advancing from the group stage, which will be a first for us. But overall I agree with your comments.
Portugal is also playing Saudi Arabia in Aveiro in order to diversify their opponents after 3 years of playing European teams.
Poland V Uruguay - 10 Nov, 2045 CET, National Stadium, Warsaw Poland V Mexico - 13 Nov, 2045 CET, Energa Stadium, Gdansk
This article talks about Russia-Argentina in Moscow http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/sto...ia-s-world-cup-final-venue-in-friendly-102117 It also confirms the match zahzah is referring to at the end of the article.
UPDATE: This match will now be played at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria to be closer to the areas affected by the recent wildfires. All proceeds from the match, as well as Portugal’s friendly against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 10, will go to benefit those affected.
Grenada 0 Panama 5 I dont even think Panama used their full team, I didn't recognize any of the scorers.
Here is the complete list of qualified teams' November friendlies: 8 Nov: Czech Republic v Iceland (Doha, Qatar) 9 Nov: Iran v Panama (Graz, Austria) 9 Nov: UAE v Egypt (Dubai) 10 Nov: Russia v Argentina (Moscow) 10 Nov: Japan v Brazil (Lille, France) 10 Nov: Belgium v Mexico (Brussels) 10 Nov: South Korea v Colombia (Suwon) 10 Nov: England v Germany (London) 10 Nov: Portugal v Saudi Arabia (Viseu) 10 Nov: Poland v Uruguay (Warsaw) 10 Nov: China v Serbia (Guangzhou) 10 Nov: France v Wales (Saint-Denis) 11 Nov: Spain v Costa Rica (Malaga) 13 Nov: Iran v Venezuela (Arnhem, Netherlands) 13 Nov: Poland v Mexico (Gdansk) 13 Nov: Bulgaria v Saudi Arabia (Lisbon, Portugal) 14 Nov: Russia v Spain (Saint Petersburg) 14 Nov: England v Brazil (London) 14 Nov: Belgium v Japan (Bruges) 14 Nov: South Korea v Serbia (Ulsan) 14 Nov: Germany v France (Cologne) 14 Nov: Nigeria v Argentina (Krasnodar, Russia) 14 Nov: Hungary v Costa Rica (Budapest) 14 Nov: Qatar v Iceland (Doha) 14 Nov: Portugal v USA (Leiria) 14 Nov: Austria v Uruguay (Vienna) 14 Nov: China v Colombia (Chongqing) 14 Nov: Wales v Panama (Cardiff)