This thread is about Asian national teams which made it to Russia 2018 WC. We want to know our Asian representative teams a little better by talking about their coaches, tactics, squads, new development, friendlies, game analysis, and their chances to advance from their group.
Only searched for old flags. Is that really the Australian Communist flag? Btw, I would like to focus more on football.
It's not a Communist flag, it's the older version of the Australian Red Ensign (pre 1903, note the different number of points on the stars). The Red Ensign these days is for use on water by civilian ships. But up until 1954 the Australian Red Ensign was the national flag that was used by other branches of Government, private individuals and organisations, only the federal government could use the normal Blue version.
A lot will depend on the draw and the individual matchups at the group stage. I think Japan are better than the European mid tier. Japan was head and shoulders above Denmark in 2010 and should have seen off 10-man Greece in 2014. Halilhodzic succeeded in getting Algeria over the hump and I think he will do the same here. Japan should hope for a group with two European teams and an African side. Since their debut, the only loss Japan suffered to a European side was in 2010 (to eventual finalists the Netherlands) and they still managed to advance. Iran are the other side that can get past the groups. They are a solid defensive unit, but unlike four years ago, they are far more dynamic in attack. Their record since the 2014 World Cup is nothing short of astonishing. They've lost twice (in friendlies) to Sweden (3-1) and Iraq (1-0) and have been perfect other than the famous Ben Williams match that went to penalties. I don't have high hopes for Saudi Arabia or South Korea. Giving a manager less than a year ahead of the World Cup is a guarantee of failure.
Have to keep in mind some Asian teams will get groups of death and some wont. Also if there are upsets in the Euro playoffs...I think Asian teams can take on the Ireland/N.Ireland/Greece
we drew 0-0 away to honduras and pretty much dominated the entire game. finishing was crap but we got cahill, leckie and kruse back in the second leg so we should be sweet woooot for ASIA baby!!!!!
He was joking. That's actually the red ensign which was in use as a civilian flag for quite a few years before we made the blue ensign our national flag in 1954. Prior to that date the Blue ensign was the Federal Govt flag, the red for civillians and lower government levels, and the white for naval use.
November Friendlies Iran 2-1 Panama Japan 1-3 Brazil Australia 0-0 Honduras (WCQ) South Korea 2-1 Colombia Saudi Arabia 2-0 Latvia Saudi Arabia 0-3 Portugal Iran 1-0 Venezuela http://tamasha.com/v/8bnj7 Saudi Arabia vs Bulgaria South Korea vs Serbia Japan vs Belgium Australia vs Honduras (WCQ)
October Friendlies Iran 2-0 Togo South Korea 2-4 Russia Japan 2-1 New Zealand Saudi Arabia 5-2 Jamaica Australia 1-1 Syria Iran 1-1 Russia South Korea 1-3 Morocco Japan 3-3 Haiti Saudi Arabia 0-3 Ghana Australia 2-1 Syria
Australia 3-1 Honduras: It was OK. The second goal of Aussies was wrong. It was not a penalty. MOM Jedinak with a hatrick for Ostoralia! Japan 0-1 Belgium Saudi Arabia 0-1 Bulgaria South Korea 1-1 Serbia
he should of left that league ages ago he needs to find himself new agent and get a gig in a league with more eyes on him.
Well Australia is now looking for a new manager as Ange Postecoglou has resigned this morning. I wonder if they will go local or foreign?
The other question is do we go short term or long term. We could probably get a more accomplished coach if we go short term, but we also have the Asian Cup a little more than 12 months away. Options are hire a coach for 6 months to take us to the world cup, then look for the next cycle, hire a coach for 12 months to cover the WC and AC, or just go for a long term option to take us through to 2022.
I think short term might actually be the way to go. The only problem is the short time between WC & AC.
******** it lets go short term. we got a decent group for once lets throw all our eggs into the basket and worry about long term and the asian cup afterwards
Saudi Arabia has the easiest group of all. I don't know what else they can wish for. Japan and Australia has manageable groups but South Korea and Iran are place in worst groups, specially Iran. If there is any hope I guess it will be Japan who can have a good run. We (Iran) do our best to advance for next round but it will be a monumental task passing Portugal and Spain at the same time. If we had one of the two we could manage them but not it is a lot harder.
I was not anticipating a good World Cup for the Asian contingent and the draw doesn't do much to allay fears. Saudi Arabia has the best group but they are the weakest Asian team in the field and they fired the coach that got them there and then fired his replacement. Pizzi isn't a miracle worker, Russia isn't a great side but this is a team that lost to Bulgaria 1-0 and had its fair share of luck (penalties!) en route to qualifying for the World Cup. Iran will do some damage- particularly against Portugal. I can see the team drawing vs. Morocco and taking a point of Queiroz's homeland. Advancing though is going to be a bridge too far. Australia Not a bad group at all. I think Australia can neutralize Denmark and maybe even beat them. The Peru game will be a mystery but the Socceroos' chances are merely theoretical now. A lot will depend on the ability of a coach to rally the team within a couple of months of the tournament. Korea Republic stumbled through qualifying and have a real problem scoring- they also are under new stewardship. Not Good. Japan has a group eerily similar to the one they got in 2014- Colombia is weaker than it was four years ago but Poland is a stronger adversary than Greece. Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire are pretty similar in terms of ability/talent. Halilhodzic has been here before so maybe that gives Japan a bit more of an edge this time around.
Iran has the hardest group among all Asian team. Korea has the 2nd tough group. third is Japan. Saudi, though seems to be an easy group on papers, but have a lot of work on the field specially in the 1st game against the host.
I just looked at oddschecker, and according to the odds all 5 Asian teams are expected to finish last in their group.
No news on an Australian coach but a friendly on March 23 against Norway has been announced. In the press release they say they are looking for a second match in the March window and will confirm soon.