World Cup 2014 Brazil - Asia (pre-WC, live update, post-WC, discussion etc) [R]

Japan played many friendly matches against top national teams before draw against Netherland and winning against Belgium. That was the reason you guys are improving. On the other hand, Iran federation (Very Incapable federation) does not even have money for a mini camp. Do not forget that the budget of Japan football federation is millions times more than Iran federation.

 

I'm not sure how Korea will do in this WC. They could make a revival and improvement in their football if they fix their shaky defence. From RB to their CBS to LB. It's all wrong. I don't know what it is but it's just not working. Same with their DM. It needs to fixed. Their possession and passing is lovely to watch when I watched them against Russia and Switzerland. If they don't, it will go down hill for them even in AC 2015. You can't win games even with playing good football without proper defending. This will affect the consistency of the team and likes of Iraq and even Saudi could trouble them. I hope HMB can get it done though because even with their euro based players, they will crumble. This reminds me of Iran prior to WC 2006 and their struggle went on for ages because they weren't able to fill in their attacking and goal keeping problems for a while.

 

With the exception of Aust stuck in the Group of Death for the second WC in a row, Asian teams have a very good draw.
No excuses for S Korea and Iran not to do something being grouped in the 2 easiest groups. Japans group is not to bad either. It will never be this straight forward for Asia. Problem for Asia at the moment is that the Confederation has not been so poor for such a long time.

 

I think Japan will advance. Korea have real chances (and a packed stadium in São Paulo cheering for them, since there are many Koreans here) as Iran also have. Australia...well, good luck. You'll need it.

 

I feel so bad for Australia. They're going to be demoralized after this WC leading to them hosting the AC 2015

 

Realistically Aust needed a "soft" group to progress, as do all Asian teams. It didn't happen but they won't be demoralised. They'll play with plenty of heart, keep the teams in this group honest at least and use this tournament to become battle hardened again and see which players are up to International level in order to play in the Asian Cup.

 

I quickly heard something on an Iranian channel about being stuck with Bosnia, Argentina and Nigeria. I'm too excited to even do a quick check on FIFA.com right now. That's a fantastic group!

We've met Bosnia a ton of times and beaten them the majority of those times if I'm not mistaken. Our u-17 boys tied Argentina in the WC a few months ago so our seniors need to put up a performance at the very least. If we can get something from Nigeria than we're off to the next round.

 

^ its not that easy. We can tie nigeria and beat bosnia easy enough but we won't advance to round of 16 like that on the count of goal difference. So realistically we ought to tie Argentina as well...

 

LMFAO @ AUS group

gg, better luck next time.

These are the Groups:

A)Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
B)Spain, Holland, Chile, Australia
C)Colombia, Greece, Ivory coast, Japan
D)Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
E)Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
F)Argentina, Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria
G)Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
H)Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea

 

"Absolutely ecstatic with the draw," said no Australian ever.

 

We've met Bosnia 5 times, beaten them 4 times and tied once.
We've met Nigeria back in 98 and lost, but can't make any conclusions based on that obviously.
Same with Argentina.

Bosnia we can beat, that's a given. Team needs to focus all its energy on beating Nigeria. Of course they'll be doing the same.

 

yeah, they dodged a bullet, they could've had Korea's group. Now that's a nasty one.

 

lol somebody posted this on PFDC

Hosseini>>messi aguero di maria higuain lavezzi

 

Hosseini will be playing for Barca after the WC.


PS. Wish we could being Abedzadeh out of retirement.

 

Had a little time to think about the draw for us Asian representatives and what are the common goal for us? To make it to the knockout stages here's my thought.


Australia: They got Spain, Netherlands, and chile. Everyone will be quick to write them off. They just don't have the fire power to match up against any of the three. But their first against chile, and if Australia can win than game? They just might have a chance to advance.

Iran: I think that's a very good draw for Iran. You have a clear favorite in Argentina. But they also have the first timer bosina-hertzagovina and Nigeria. Which both Iran can match up great. Iran for the most part are defensively well organized and should have no problem. But the key is, does Iran have fire power to score goals and get 3 points against bosina and Nigeria. We are going to find out. But again, very good draw for Iran.

Japan: easiest group of them all. When I say easiest, I don't mean disrespecting Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece. Is just that Japan is good enough to finish first out that group. Their that good. Minimum runner up in the group. If we don't see Japan in the knockout stages, I'll be very surprised.

Korea republic: not a bad draw for us either. Not the easiest or the hardest, but at least we avoided the worse case situation. Belgium and Russia are very good European team, but they're not out of reach for us. And if we don't get 3 points against Algeria, we don't belong in the knockout stages.


So now the draw is out, we can discuss about a lot of thing until the next summer, wish the entire Asian representatives good luck and hope we all progress into the knockout stages.

 

Great analysis, if we can pull our own weight then we'll have at least 3/4 Asians in the knockout stages, should really help boost AFC's profile worldwide.

 

GL to all AFC teams.

 

I think Japan, Korea, and Iran can make it out. Japan's key match is against Ivory Coast, Our's is Russia and Iran is Nigeria. I wouldn't underestimate Bosnia but I do see Iran beating them.

 

um . . . . scrape through with a huge amount of luck into second place, and then play the winner of Group A in the round of 16 against . . . . . BRAZIL !!

My prediction before the draw was a par result for the Socceroos would be 1 Draw and 2 Losses, and now after the draw it is 3 Losses - but it will be the manner of those losses which will define us. [compare the fantastic 0-2 loss against Brazil in 2006, with the horror of being carved up 0-4 against Germany in 2010)

 

gave australia's group B

australia plays chile first, netherlands and finally against spain. now, if australia can win their game against chile, australia might have a chance because chile is certainly can hang with spain and netherland to get a positive results for them (draw or even a win) and that will be plus for australia. so the first game against chile is everything for australia. and as for the knock out stage, anyway you put it the asian representatives can't really be asking for anymore than just play that 4th game.

just like somehow serbia was able to beat germany and australia beat that same serbia team. and only ousted by goal differences. so, this time around, don't lost by multiple goals like you did against germany 4-0. so, i don't think australia is out already by being in this group. they have an outside chance to get to the second round.

 

My assessment as to the draw:

1) Australia (7% Chance of advancing to the RO16)
Worst case scenario of all the AFC participants.
If they somehow pull out 3 points in this edition, it should be their national holiday.
What's even worse, they have just replaced their boss, which is never a good thing with less than a year remaining to the kickoff.

2) Japan (67%)
Currently maintains the best form and chemistry among the AFC.
They have a lot of experiences and confidence and enough fire power to keep themselves in the game.
Matchup-wise, Greece and Ivory Coast shouldn't be challenging for them to handle.
Key for Japan will be Honda's performance like Korea with Park Ji-sung in the past. Japan with Honda and without Honda is totally different team. If he performs as to the expectations, Japan can even win this group.

3) IR Iran (35%)
Draw itself is quite manageable. Beside of the Argentinians, Iran should be able to get 4 points out of Bosnia and Nigeria. With strong defense they performed during the WCQ and dangerous set-piece from Nekounam they can surprise some people outside Asia.
But the problem is their almost non-existent preparation. That's why I rate their chances to 35%. Since the end of the WCQ, they haven't played any respectable opposition outside the AFC at all. And we are still uncertain about how their preparation is going to be with just 6 months remaining leading up to the opening match.

4) Korea Republic (55%)
Possibly the best draw among the AFC: avoiding majority of high-profile oppositions.
The Koreans have been progressing since WCQ and EAFF Championship; it seems like they have found several pieces to play better game. And I like how this team is preparing for the main event.
But the majority of the squad consists of players with age under 26 and this could play a vital role during crucial moments.