Okay, Japan is out save for some miracle and a favorable tiebreak... South Korea essentially out now as well, though they could settle for slightly less of a miracle. North Korea only put one past Vietnam? No way I see them beating Australia either, in that case... I think it's basically settled now that Australia and China are going to the Olympics. All that matters is who beats who on the final matchday. If it comes to being even on points (e.g. China beats S.Korea and both N.Korea and China draw Australia) then GD easily puts Australia on top.
What are the tiebreakers? Is goal differential the first tiebreaker? I spent a few minutes looking but couldn't find it. If head-to-head is the first tiebreaker, then Japan is already out because the best they can do is tie China, who they just lost to, on 7 points
I don't know what the tiebreakers are, which is why I said they need it to be favorable to them - obviously H2H would be unfavorable. (I assumed "miracle" would cover GD, were that the first tiebreaker.)
Overall goal difference is the tie breaker : "In the league format, the ranking in each group is determined as follows: a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches; b) goal difference in all group matches; c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches." I think fitness will have a huge impact on the remaining two games with 4th game in 8 days and 5th game in 10 days, some players will be very tired and make positional and technical mistakes that will cost their teams.
here's highlights of the Matlidas 2-0 win over South Korea earlier today. Though she don't score, LDV delivers the goods as she simply smokes the defense! Foord gets to play at fwd in the 2nd half but she's a bit rusty. Nice to see commentators animated, but why both? Couldn't just one of them stay calm? 1st half 2nd half
This is an unbelievably grueling tournament! No team could maintain performance levels in the closing rounds, especially with the smaller rosters. Congratulations to Vietnam to get here and for improving throughout the rounds.
This is typically bland for a South Korean sports/Starcraft pbp crew. They expect homerism instead of impartiality, and the octave of pitch should match the importance of the moment. They have more female co-analysts than we do How did I get from those videos to feeding sea lions?
here's the goals in the China vs Japan. Two of them were right after the ball were ripped from defender's. So high pressure might just be the new 'IN' thing for the Asians(the Matildas obviously used it to great effect too). don't have highlights of the other game yesterday, which was North Korea 1, Vietnam 0. Below is a pic of the Vietnamese team in action as they got out shot 31-1
Wow, it seems like things are really changing in the AFC. I guess it's just the cyclical nature of teams and their strength.
Got to ask; now that you've seen Zhao Lina in action; any thoughts? I know I've been hyping her cute looks, but she's got athleticism, dexterity & incredible reflexes as well.(and quite possibly the best gk in the world!) Got to wait to see the final day, China/Matildas match, cuz I think it's either Lina or LDV that's going to win MVP of the tourney PS the one problem I had with Japan's senior squad is their coach's refusal to bring newer players into the squad. If I recall 3 years ago, Japan had an solid squad at the 2112 u20 WC(good enough to win 3rd place). That tourney featured many of what are now best players in the world today. Germany featured 5 players that would go on to win the Euro champ. the very next year. The US was just a little slower to move their's up, but now at least got 3 in their senior starting lineup(Johnston, Dunn & Brian). Lesser teams like quarter finalists Norway, still featured Hegerberg & Hansen. The Swiss & Mexico seniors are flooded with players from that particular tourney Seems like the only country not to take advantage of their u20 squad is...................Japan! Finally one member from them is having an impact, Yokohama, and the amazingly she didn't even start for the u20 squad back in the 2012. Think how well Japan could of been if only they brought up those younger players from 3 years ago? In particular two players, Shibata & Yoko Tanaka, came to mind(Yoko being my fav of those whole tournament) why on earth Japan leave these two simply disappear through their soccer system just simply blows me away!)
She's got the goods to be one of the best, she's tall, commanding in the air, with good reflex - I'll wait with the verdict tho untill she'll have some more caps under her belt. Fear not, here you can see Tanaka Y. and some others from that U20 team, now in U23 at LaManga. I reckon that most of them will be in senior NT next year. https://lamangatv.solidtango.com/vi...-national-team-norway-vs-japan-0-4-highlights https://lamangatv.solidtango.com/video/04-03-2016-u23-women-national-team-japan-vs-sweden-highlights
Why didn't Iwabuchi get more time? I knew China is going to grab at least a point when she wasn't on the starting 11.
So there's strong (believable, imo) rumors (on social media coming from a few Japanese media sources) that Sasaki has decided to resign and it will be announced after AFC qualifying is finished.
South Korea and Japan eliminated as well as Vietnam obviously . A draw between North Korea and Australia or an Australua win send China and Australia to Rio
I'm sad for Japan right now. Their elimination was pretty much inevitable coming into this round of games, but it still sucks. But on the other hand, this could be the impetus needed to refresh the squad with more youth.
Sasaki's coaching career is not necessarily over. He can arise again just like Bruno Bini did. As we might recall, Bini left France in disgrace, only to come back even stronger with China. he should be named coach of the year if his team can make it to the Olympics. Remember too, he's the only one that beat the US in over an year
Korea DPR vs. Australia 1:2 (0:1) (79' Kim Su Gyong / 18' Heyman, 83' Gorry) Stats 4 Corner Kicks 3 2 Yellow Cards 2 8 Shots 11 4 Shots on Goal 4 52% possession 48% Japan vs. Vietnam 6:1 (2:1) (39' Iwabuchi, 45' Ohno, 80' Kawasumi, 84' Nakajima, 89' Yokoyama, 91' Ogimi / 42' Hyunh Nhu (pen.)) Stats 6 Corner Kicks 0 1 Yellow Cards 1 23 Shots 2 9 Shots on Goal 1 72% possession 28% One thing has to be said about this tournament, the quality of refereeing didn't improve from WWC.
Congrats to Australia and China. The current two best teams in AFC. EA Sports knew what they were doing, when these two were selected from AFC as their two teams to be in FIFA 16. If it's in the Game, it's in the Game.