Alert: AFC in the World cup 2018

Discussion in 'Asian Football Confederation' started by Koreano, Jun 26, 2018.

  1. Koreano

    Koreano Member

    Jul 5, 2005
    Club:
    Seongnam Ilhwa
    Nat'l Team:
    Korea Republic
    What do you guys think so far?

    Here are my thoughts and welcome to add yours

    Iran - Grit, annoying, perseverance
    Japan - Character, Grit
    Australia - Composed, tact
    Saudi - Luck
    Korea - fail to find words to describe the character of the team. What type of football do they play actually?
     
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  2. Mani

    Mani BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 1, 2004
    Club:
    Perspolis
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    Iran and Japan are all about discipline and team work. Japan is the more technical side, Iran is the more physical side. They’re the best two sides in Asia, and both are currently a level above Asia, but with different styles. I don’t think anyone would argue against such assessment at this time.

    Australia and Korea are both hard-working talented teams, but lack the discipline and team work of Iran or Japan. I would rate Australia as the 3rd best Asian side only because they’re better coached than Korea. That said, Korea is the more talented side and they have the best Asian player in Son.

    Saudi Arabia , I honestly don’t rate at all. They’re a good side in Asia with fine technical and tactical abilities, but on the world stage, they’re just an embarrassment to put it lightly, because they’re mentally and physically too weak to compete toe to toe with Europeans. I think Syria and Uzbekistan or even Iraq and China would preform better on world stage.
     
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  3. Koreano

    Koreano Member

    Jul 5, 2005
    Club:
    Seongnam Ilhwa
    Nat'l Team:
    Korea Republic
    Pretty accurate assessment overall. The question is, would CQ be still leading Iran NT after this?
     
  4. Mani

    Mani BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 1, 2004
    Club:
    Perspolis
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    It’s been reported that CQ has reached a deal to stay for the 2019 Asian Cup. I hope he also stays for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, since most of our starting eleven today were aged 20-25 and will only reach their prime in 2022.
     
  5. Koreano

    Koreano Member

    Jul 5, 2005
    Club:
    Seongnam Ilhwa
    Nat'l Team:
    Korea Republic
    Good for you guys, that continuation would be good for Iran for the next asian cup. For Korea's case, it would be ideal if we got a top down change in FA management and get vahid halilhodzic in.

    Vahid didn't really fit into Japan's style IMO, and it Korea's dynamism would certainly favor his style.
     
  6. thewitness

    thewitness Member

    Melbourne Victory, Derby County
    Australia
    Jul 10, 2013
    Club:
    Derby County FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Australia
    I'll only comment on the 1st 2 teams out for now. A lot could change for the other 3 with 1 more good performance.

    I think KSA were lucky today, but it managed to rescue what could have other wise been an abysmal embarrassing performance.

    I think Iran did really well in a very tough group. They were never outplayed and stuck to their game plan well. An easier draw would have likely seen them move onto the next round. Pretty much we got what we (fans from Asia) expected from Iran.
     
  7. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Very surprised to see South Korea beat Germany today! Well done to the team especially to the goalkeeper Cho Hyun-Woo.

    Other than that, it will be interesting to see whether Japan can get the result they need against Poland in their last group game.
     
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  8. RickChelsea

    RickChelsea Member

    Sep 28, 2008
    sidknee
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Mozambique
    i think afc did really well at this world cup

    for australia. i just wish we had a decent forward
     
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  9. killaorca

    killaorca Member+

    AFC Ajax
    May 11, 2010
    Pacific Ocean
    Club:
    RSC Anderlecht
    Yeah almost all the teams got 1 win.
    This world cup
    AFC>CONCACAF (Mexico is an outlier) and CAF.
     
  10. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    It was a real pity how Iran missed out. South Korea did really great last night to beat Germany 2-0.

    But still Japan maybe the only country to progress. I really pray that they do.
     
  11. dez112

    dez112 Member

    Manchester United
    Feb 24, 2017
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    To be honest, I'm actually quite surprised with how the Asian teams performed mostly with Japan's result against Colombia and South Korea's result against Germany.

    South Korea did really well to beat Germany in their game yesterday even though they did not advance to the next stages.

    Also despite the loss against Poland today, Japan managed to qualify for the next round of the World Cup ahead of Senegal on FIFA's fair play rules (number of yellow cards in which Japan has 4 whilst Senegal has 6.)

    As Japan finished second in their group, they will face between England or Belgium.
     
  12. Angsa

    Angsa Member

    Aug 26, 2008
    Hong Kong
    Club:
    Everton FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    I am surprised Japan played like that in the last 10 minutes against Poland. It seemed they were sure Senegal would not score against Columbia.

    Anyway, Belgium will be too strong for them. I just hope they put up a good fight and score a goal or two.
     
  13. HomokHarcos

    HomokHarcos Member+

    Jul 2, 2014
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    My ranking of the Asian sides so far
    1.Iran
    2.Japan
    3.Korea
    4.Saudi Arabia
    5.Australia
     
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  14. Fureeku

    Fureeku Member

    Feb 9, 2011
    Maldives
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Maldives
    I enjoyed matches involving AFC sides a lot more that the dross put out by the likes of Panama, who appeared to confuse football with mud wrestling.
     
  15. mdhm

    mdhm Member

    Southern District FC
    Hong Kong
    Nov 7, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Hong Kong
    #15 mdhm, Jul 2, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2018
    The fate of Japan in round of 16...

    063251_521f0594ceea9825a949c82b3e4207b8.jpg
     
  16. PinoyMarauder

    PinoyMarauder Member

    Apr 10, 2008
    Philippines/Canada
    Japan
    Iran
    Korea
    Saudi-Australia

    I think despite saudi win that meltdown against russia conceding three goals in the last 5 minutes is too much to ignore.

    Australia was competitive at least in all their games while the Saudis showed a clear lack of discipline and amturish nature against russia. Granted they showed their quality against Uru and Egypt.

    Was still a good WC for Asian teams and I hope Qatar 2022 gets us far.
     
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  17. Genghis-Khan

    Genghis-Khan Member

    Nov 15, 2016
    Singapore
    Nat'l Team:
    Mongolia
    1 - Japan

    To be honest, I was disappointed at their last 10 minutes in the Poland game. But they made up for it easily. The Belgium game was one of the greatest knockout stage games ever. They didn't park the bus against one of the top 3 teams (maybe eventual champions) in the WC. They tried to kill the giant like brave soliders and it was almost successful. Without that extremely lucky goal from Vertonghen, Japan would have won the match. Can't remember ever feeling this gutted for a neutral team before. But they really made Asia proud.

    2 - South Korea

    They were another unlucky team from AFC. They didn't deserve to lose their first two games. Especially against Sweden. I was worried about the match when that useless big guy Kim Shin-wook was in the first 11. From the begining to the end, they suffered from incompetent managers in this WC cycle. But they also made Asia proud beating Germany.Well done. Let's hope they will get a decent manager after the WC.

    3 - Saudi Arabia

    Overall decent performance and results despite getting one of the toughest groups. Many football fans made fun of their 0-5 loss against Russia but they strongly bounced back. They were almost even against Uruguay and beat Egypt, the most successful team in the African Nations Cup. Easily the best team from West Asia in this WC. Congratulations.

    4 - Iran

    Another disappointing performance and results on the world stage. Unlike the above 3 teams, they finished the WC without a proper win. They were outplayed by Morocco who has no history at the WC and African Cup and rarely threatened the two declining and unimpressive European powers. They played cowardly football against giants and won nothing. This is the difference between them and Japan/Korea. I warned their weak scoring record at the WCQ before. Only 10 goals in 10 games. 1 goal per game against Asian oppositions. That's why they failed to score a proper goal this time. Iran's only goals were an own goal and a penalty from non-existent handball. In Iran's last 3 World Cups, they have only been in the lead for a total of 1 minute. Pathetic. I'm afraid that they will never make it to the round of 16 in my life time. They tried 5 times and all failed. Hard luck and good luck next time.

    5 - Australia

    At first, I tried to put them above Iran because performance wise they were much better than Iran. They weren't cowards like Iran. They outplayed Denmark and created many chances against Peru with nice attacking football. With better finishing skills, I would have ranked them 3rd/4th. Hard luck and good luck next time.
     
  18. AIL1998

    AIL1998 Member+

    May 27, 2012
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    1. Japan - Iran
    2. Korea
    3. Saudi Arabia - Australia

    PinoyMarauder, Saudi Arabia did fine against Uruguay and Egypt. The Russia game was so bad. Were the players nervous? Did they underestimate the opponent? Even in your bad day, It is not acceptable to lose by 5 goals. I agree with you about Australia and wish you could say your honest opinions about other three teams. Japan was good. I just thought they could keep their win versus Belgium by parking the bus after their second goal. Korea was competitive in all three games and ended the tournament with an impressive win.

    Regard Iran, my biggest regret is how we started our Spain game. We started the game with 11 men behind the ball. After we conceded a fluke goal in the beginning of second half, our team changed the plan and played offensively. We created good opportunities in second half and scored a goal but unfortunately It was disallowed. Russia played worse than us against Spain and they got only a lucky penalty. I do not know if the result of our second game could be better if we started the game like last 35 minutes of the game.

    Anyway as everyone said overall It was a good WC for Asian teams and hope It gets better in the future.
     
  19. HomokHarcos

    HomokHarcos Member+

    Jul 2, 2014
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If Iran were leading 2-0 against Belgium with 20 minutes left I think they would have held on. Japan's defense is not as strong as Iran's.
     
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  20. PinoyMarauder

    PinoyMarauder Member

    Apr 10, 2008
    Philippines/Canada
    Saudis biggest downfall in game 1 was omar hawsawi. He played like he was a 16 year old thrown into the big boys league. Very nervous.

    I also think the Association is very amaturish in nature so results like this will happen.
     
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  21. PinoyMarauder

    PinoyMarauder Member

    Apr 10, 2008
    Philippines/Canada
    Its unlikely Iran will be up 2-0 against Belguim since they dont have the quality in the middle anyway.

    But they would have held on for sure if they were up 2-0.
     
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  22. Genghis-Khan

    Genghis-Khan Member

    Nov 15, 2016
    Singapore
    Nat'l Team:
    Mongolia
    There is no way Iran's defense could have survived against Belgium. Don't overrate their defense. Spain and Portugal were just too toothless in attack this time. Russia and Uruguay proved it in the knockout stage.

    Iran GK Beiranvand was named in the team of the group stage by Guardian, which means Iran's defense was a disaster. Even weak Morocco outplayed Iran and created many chances against them. Their GK saved their face.
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/29/world-cup-2018-best-team-of-the-tournament-so-far

    First of all, Japan has far better talents than Iran in defense. Southampton starting CB, Marseille starting RB and Galatasaray starting LB. On the other hand, Iran's defense relied on bench warmers in Greece and Belgium.

    Iran would have lost to Belgium 0-4. They have average defense and weak attack. They are not round of 16 material unfortunately.
     
  23. PinoyMarauder

    PinoyMarauder Member

    Apr 10, 2008
    Philippines/Canada
    Football doesnt work like that.

    The japanese was clearly heavily pressured in the air specially in nagatomos side. That angle would be non-existent in Iran.
     
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  24. Iranian Monitor

    Iranian Monitor Member+

    Aug 18, 2004
    Nat'l Team:
    Iran
    Before I post how I saw each, let me say that this was indeed a very good tournament for the AFC. Except for the opener, where Saudi Arabia got slapped badly against Russia and looked amateur and out of place, all the other 9 matches involving the AFC were competitive and close. None of the AFC teams went pointless. Four of them recorded a win. And South Korea recorded one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. On balance, I don't think the AFC could have hoped for a better tournament.

    1- Japan: Overall Team Quality: (B-/B) World Cup Showing: Excellent

    As the only team from the AFC to advance to the R16, albeit with 4 points which wasn't enough for Iran in its group, the would deserve to be ranked above everyone else. But their performances also were very good and they were gave us one of the best games in the tournament against Belgium.

    Japan are Asia's most articulate side. They are technically the best team in Asia as well. Their problem is obvious: although pound-for-pound, they are as good as anyone else, they can be physically over-matched. That is the only problem that was evident in a Japanese side that was otherwise very good.

    2- Iran: Overall Team Quality: (B-). World Cup Showing: Strong

    Iran had its best World Cup ever in terms of its results and standings. It accomplished that feat in a group with 2 European heavyweights, Spain and Portugal. It even came within inches in the last seconds of its game against Portugal to achieve what had appeared an unlikely dream and to find itself on top of a group which everyone felt would easily belong to Spain and Portugal.

    No need for many credit Iran's defense, teamwork, discipline, the effort put by the players, nor the fact that when it comes to physique and physical strength, Iran remains is of a different class compared to almost all Asian teams. This is all self-evident to anyone who has a clue. But that is the part of the glass that is full when it comes to Iran under Carlos Queiroz. There is clearly a part of the glass that is half empty too. Overall, Iran might have chosen the right tactics for the World Cup and the opponents it faced, but even within that general tactical set up, it could have shown a bit more focus and flair offensively than it did. While no team can afford to underestimate Iran, the reverse is probably also true: few will overestimate us either. We aren't going to make any of the Asian teams we will face in the Asian Cup scared of losing badly. If things go the way they should, our results will be a bunch of 1:0 matches, in our favor. The signature result from Iran during the Carlos Queiroz era.

    3- Australia Overall Team Quality: (B-) World Cup Showing: Satisfactory

    Australia had a competitive match against one of the tournament favorites, France, and tied Denmark. It then lost to Peru, even though it had actually controlled possession against a Peru team that impressed a lot in its earlier games. In the process, Australia showed itself capable and competitive even if not stellar in anything. While it might have done better against Peru, and should have as far as the result goes, overall I think they had a satisfactory showing. They certainly didn't leave the tournament in worse light than when it began.

    4- South Korea Over Team Quality: (C+/B-) World Cup Showing: Unremarkable and Remarkable both

    The Koreans started off not all that impressive against Sweden, weren't able to get a result against Mexico, and when into their last match against Germany for all intents and purposes already eliminated. The Germans, on the other hand, came into this match facing elimination as well: they had to win to be assured of moving to the next round and as the result between Sweden and Mexico became clear, there was no doubt they had to risk everything to get that win. The dynamics allowed South Korea to record one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, with 2 goals in injury time for the Koreans against Germany turning what would have been largely forgivable tournament to one that would be remembered. The biggest revelation from South Korea was probably their goalie, who looked very good. They did show a couple of other good players, and certainly Son would rate fine, but overall the Korean team still needs to improve to count itself among the top 3 in Asia.

    5- Saudi Arabia Overall Quality (C+) World Cup Showing: Uneven

    Saudi Arabia was an embarrassment to Asian football in its opener against Russia. And not just because it got thrashed 5:0. They just showed themselves amateurish and lacking in the physical and mental qualities you would expect from any side competing at this level. They rebounded and did much better against Uruguay and ended the battle between two eliminated teams in their favor. Their win over Egypt was deserved over all and that win, and the credible performance against Uruguay, makes this an uneven tournament for them when you consider how poorly they began.
     
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  25. HomokHarcos

    HomokHarcos Member+

    Jul 2, 2014
    Club:
    AS Roma
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    4 AFC teams winning a World Cup game is unprecedented. CAF and CONCACAF never had a World Cup where 4 of their teams won a game.
     
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