they dominated 60 % of the game. But we had four 99% chances to score in the last of 20 minutes. Result might be 0 - 2 or 0-3 at least. Overall, they did nothing against us.
I don't think qualifying will be as straight forward as last time around. The weaker teams in the Final 10 will provide a stern test for any opposition. Paul Le Guen's men are very hard to break down, Qatar drew A pretty good Iran side twice, Lebanon are just plain exciting to watch (although they sometimes self-destruct), Jordan have a very good Plan A and I could see them clinching a playoff spot but I worry that they might be exposed with no Plan B in the next round. Iraq and Uzbekistan seem to be peaking at just the right time, Iran will have more time under Queiroz and are still undefeated under him, while Korea will need to get their act together. I back Japan and Australia to qualify outright. Iran will also qualify directly. It's a toss-up for the final 1.5 spots but I like Korea and Uzbekistan.
I think Iraq would be harder than Uzbaks for multiple reasons, football-wise and also the rivalries of the past. Iraq always raises her game against Iran. But right now, all three (Iraq, Uzbek, and Jordan) look very strong and confident. I tend to think at least one of the Top 3 will miss this world cup.
Lest we forget Uzbekistan's tendency to under perform in the final round after storming through in the penultimate round. Will they be able to break free of this during this qualifying campaign?
It would be nice to be in the same group as Iran. We have been in AFC now for 6 years and are still yet to play each other at top level after two Asian Cups and 1 and half WCQ campaigns. It would also be nice to shift the record to 3-3-2.
My preferred group: 1. Australia: I don't really prefer either Aus or South Korea in terms of quality/chance of winning. But if Japan and Australia are drawn together I will go watch their game in Melbourne likely. So definitely want to see Japan drawn with Aus. 2. Japan 3. Iraq: Think Uzbekistan will give trouble to whomever they play in the 4th round if they can step up. Uzbeks most certainly dark horses to qualify. Iraq I don't think have the quality just yet to be top 2 in the group. 4. Oman: Think it's great they've got this far, and are on form. But I see them as the easiest of the final 4 to play away to. Also see them as less mentally strong than South America, oops i mean Qatar, or Jordan. 5. Lebannon: Big upset over South Korea. I don't think they believe themselves that they can truly qualify (getting to this stage is massive), which already gives them a mental disadvantage. Definitely don't want Qatar. There's a few teams in Asia where the reffing away tends to be worse and worse *wink. Qatar is one of those regions. -------- GOD: Aus/SK, Japan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Jordan GOL: Aus/SK, Iran, Iraq, Lebannon, Oman.
My preferred group. 1. Korea Republic 2. Japan-No traveling/jetleg concern. Haven't face them in WCQ since the 1998 edition. Looking for a revenge (embarrassing 3-0 loss in Aug. 2011). 3. Uzbekistan-Familiar with their best players (they all played in Korea for a while), would rather avoid another tricky West Asian side. 4. Jordan, Oman-Don't wanna face Qatar and Lebannon again.
1. Australia 2. Iran - has to happen. Works better for bringing over Euro players, it's guaranteed to get some big performances out of our guys, Kewell in particular, and we've seen plenty of Japan recently. 3. I don't mind which out of Iraq and Uzbekistan, both are challenging in their own way. We've got a better record against the Uzbeks but they've got unfinished business, but one of these days we need to put Iraq away in West Asia. 4. Kuwait, (aka "Jordan") and Lebanon. The former we're yet to play, the latter because we didn't get to play them in the 2007 ACQs and they'd guarantee an insane home game if FFA had the balls to host it in Sydney
Why not? I would personally love to face them again and hammer them both home and away for that shock loss.
My preferred group 1.Australia... I never forget the big loss of 0-6 2.Iran. Japan is number one right now in Asia. Traditional powerhouse as usual. 3. Uzbekistan 4.Qatar. At least we know how to win gulf?! teams. Arabic style 5.Lebanon. No surprises in 4th round!!! If we have same group as predicted above following teams will do the best and qualify to the WC Japan, Iraq, Iran, Uzbekistan This is just prediction guys. No offense dear Aussie and Korean fans.. Australia is not strong anymore. They are building up new team with new generation. Old staff are gone. I would say that Korea has the same issue. The matches of 4 fourth round are not for testing or experiment of your teams. Anyway good luck to all teams
I personally prefer south korea over Australia for our team Iran. Australia is currently in the best form. On the paper, they are strongest team in Asia now. If we do not beat south korea, at least we can get two draws. I really doubt if we can get 1 point or more from Aust this time. Especially Aust will have high motivation against us b/c of historical match in 1997. Wish to get south korea. However If we get Australia, this will be a match that more than 100000 Iranian fans will come to the Azadi stadium at Tehran. Again I prefer South korea over Australia for Iran.
This is my preferred group too, perhaps for slightly different reasons. First and formost is for a chance Australia to beat Iran after they knocked us out of the qualification for the 1998 WC ; they also were the team that effectively knocked us out of the qualification for the 1978 WC too. Lebanon would be great to see - we missed them in the Asian cup quals (but a 'home' game cannot be in Sydney - zhuangzi - there wouldn't be a home crowd for the Socceroos, and too much 'potential' for incidents after the game : better shift that match to Perth ) Qatar and Uzbekistan have never beaten the Socceroos - want to keep that record intact.
I didn't exactly want to use the word 'revenge' - about rectifying what happened in 1997 - but we can't seriously call ourselves No.1 or 2 in Asia until we beat Iran again (preferably at Azadi stadium)
Guys I have a question concerning final round draw.. Does Japan's participation in 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup impact to the final round draw?
Not on the draw - just on their fixtures (they will "swap" positions in their group so they have a bye in the last round - but this effectively happens AFTER the group is drawn).
On the contrary I think it'd create an amazing match atmosphere to have a decent lebanese fan base and it'd be wonderful if the FFA scheduled the match in Sydney. I think even in Sydney there'd be mostly Australians, but to have a solid Lebanon supporting contingent would be cool.
No way If we tolerate a defeat to any team at Azadi Stadium for next round. Even european countries struggle to play at Azadi. If we get u in the next round, Asolutely Iran will have attacking tactic against you in Tehran. Your reason is not logical about being best in Asia. For example, japan or any other team cannot claim they are best in asia if they defeat Aust in Melbourne. So your reason is not logical about being best in Asia. Again, I prefer south korea over your team for Iran.