hard luck Iran...you guys played much better this game since both portuguese goals were from half chances, while Iran had 2 or 3 clear cut ones. Kaabi and Teymourian are excellent players IMO you lost the chance to move on against Mexico with ineffective Daie and over-cautious play, not this game
Iran played very good teams: Portugal & Mexico. I thought Portugal looked very good. It was always going to be hard to get points againt a side made up of Ronaldo, Deco, Figo etc. However from all I've heard of Karimi he was very disipointing.
Dont be silly. No one said dont rate him, you were commenting on how he didnt impress from what you had heard. Well he was injurted so his performance was not on par with what you should expect. In my opinion he wasnt fit eneough to play at all. This shouldnt even require explaining, its common sense.
Thanks! Condolences to the Team Melli fans. I only caught the second half of the game and it looked like you guys were fighting pretty hard.
Go Iran! I found the following reactions from fellow Koreans fans on some other website. As a Korean, I have the utmost confidence that Iran will do much better, and Iran will be on the WC stage on a regular basis. No doubt about that! .................... "Today, one of the major newspaper covered Iran as a part of the WC special article. The headline says, "We believe in you, Karimi!" Here are some comments from Korean internet users on the article. - "Jandi-Karimi-Nekunam-Mahadabikia... the best midfiders!" - "To be honest,I think Iran will do better than Korea in this WC... they have a favorable group, and the midfielders they have are not worse off than other European teams." - "Well, to be honest, Karimi wasnt that good at Munhen, Mahadabikia was so-so, I am being honest, so lets all be honest here" - "To be honest, they have the best midfielders in Asia. But their weakness is the lack of power at the front line. In Asia, they overcame this weakness with their superb midfielders. I am not sure whether they can make it work in the WC. But they do have an enough potential to be certain." - "Why are so being critical? Mahadabikia is just so-so? Do you even know that he is the second best rated wing player in the Germany league right after Shanol...lol and before he got injured, Karimi played enough good games." - "Karimi, do your best to show the power of Asia, I also believe in you, Karimi!" - "While I am still not sure between him and Lee Young Pyo, in my opinion, Karimi is the best dribbler in Asia. How fluid his dribbling is like water!" - "The magician of Tehran? I have never heard of this.lol" - " He is a very popular player playing tremendously for Munhen" - "Well, I have heard of it many times. He is the Magician of Tehran... anyone interested in soccer would know about this" - " To be honest, if Iran opens the door and be progressive, it is the matter of time before they top Korea. They have the physique of European players, good coach, players.... what else do you want?" - "They are defintely the team to pass the group stage on the European continent... I can only think of Iran in this WC..." - "I would like it better if they said Iran AND Korea are the best in Asia, although I believe Iran will do very well in this WC" - "Defintely Iran and Korea are the only teams who are capable playing out of Asia. They and we are that good" - "Just looking at the names and profiles of individual players, Iran is the best in Asia for sure. Although they are mostly only in the German league" - "as far as the group seeding, they and Korea are the best grouped. This is for fact. They have a potential to pull upsets" - "I also believe that Iran is the best in Asia" -" Korea, Japan, Saudi, and IRan, they are all the same. It is pointless to argue which team is the best of these four teams Isnt it pointless to argue who is the best in Oceana - New Zealand, Piji, Western Samoa? Who cares? These four teams better do well in this WC... like 1994 Saudi, 2002 Korea." - "Besides the Portugal and Angola games, dont you think the game with Mexico will go down to the last second, and if they pull a win, it will be a huge upset"
sorry, force of habit, totally forgot about the Socceroos. Best of luck to you guys as well. Actually I was waiting for the this game the most
Japan 0-0 Croatia Unfortunate for Japan, they were the better footballing side in this game. They just lack the cutting edge up front.
iran and japan have the hardest groups so im not disappointed that these 2 teams wont advance. saudi has a reasonable chance of advancing because ukraine can be beaten easily (see spain 4-0). korea on the otherhand, has the easiest group by far (at least 4 points are expected from togo and switzerland, and maybe 1 from the weak france). so unless something out of the ordinary happens they should be asias sole representative in the round of 16.
Korea 1-1 France Gotta love the Koreans. They're fast becoming the bogey team for Europeans at the World Cup! Outplayed for 90 minutes, then the sucker punch!
Kudo to Korean fans. The red devils were louder and clearer today even on TV...Any information on how to sing "Arirang" or shout "Korea Republic!!"?
Japan's chance of advanceing is very slim. Japan must win against Brazil with multiple goals, also with following condition. 1) If Australia WINS agaisnt Croatia, then Japan will be eliminated 2) If Australia TIES against Croatia, then Japan must win by 3 goal lead. 3) If Australia LOSES against Croatia, Japan must win with a lead that is better than Croatia's lead against Australia (eg. If CRO 1-0 AUS, then JPN 2-0 BRA) Meaning.... AUS can not win, and JPN must score 2 goals minimum.
I say it's time to call the shrink. Sounds like panic-attack! btw, the ref. was very kind to the Saudis specially the first half. "Missed" 2 calls, one for a penalty, another for a free kick behind the box.
Australia - technically not representing Asia yet but what the heck. Go Aussies! Iran - show at least tie or a win in the last match. It is important to build on this for future WCs. Come on, Iran. Japan - Brazil will relax after 2 wins. This is a chance for Japan to beat Brazil 1:0. Korea - still need a tie or win. Let's do it. Saudis - will advance to the round of 16. I can feel it. Two - Three team advancing to the round of 16 will show that Asia has arrived in WC scene. Aussies, Korea, and Saudis will prove it.