Feels to be back after long long time and finding some old posters still active which is wonderful ! KSA NT is in deep deep depression time which was expected sooner or later. The impact of advertising league at global level has equally horrendous implications on the NT. Mancini can’t be blamed completely for this but he’s part of the problem. Bringing new coach won’t change much as things will remain the same. Mancini has been complaining from day one about lack of playing time but it was the case for Renard too but at that the foreigners quota was not 8. They want players to play abroad but on contrary how can they play if they are not scouted playing in the league or anywhere?
We are a match away from the midway point in this round of the AFC WC qualifiers. Once we get past MD7, certain teams may have already clinched their qualification. Right now, Japan, Iran and S. Korea (each with 10p after MD4) look most likely to have done so by then. The Uzbeks also have 10p already but their upcoming schedule is on paper more challenging as they have a crucial away game against Qatar on MD5. In fact, along with the upcoming MD5 games in the 2 other groups, namely Iraq v Jordan in Group B, and Australia v Saudi Arabia in Group C, the upcoming Qatar v Uzbekistan match will help clarify which teams will likely qualify directly from their groups and which ones will make the playoffs instead. Al that said, football is a game in which no match or opponent certainly at this level can be taken for granted. Still, while unlike in tournament football where even one adverse result can suddenly see a team crash, in qualifiers such as these, ultimately the better teams will generally find their way to earn enough points to get through. Which is why I have not mentioned the rest of the field despite each of them being able to pull an upset now and then. But other than perhaps UAE in group A, and to a lesser extent Bahrain in Group C, I just don't see enough in the tank for the rest in the long haul of qualifying games to expect them to survive elimination after Round 3.
Pretty good summary of the current situation in the Asian WCQ. The only thing I’ll add on is that I don’t think the Uzbek-Qatar match should be compared to the Iraq-Jordan and Australia-Saudi. The Uzbeks, and they are known for bottling it, but really should qualify to the WC directly. Qatar is a shell of themselves currently. The other 2 matches really can go either way. They really are 50/50 matches. No one can comfortably tell whether Saudi or Australia will go through, or Iraq or Jordan.
I favor Uzbekistan to qualify directly at the end, but I guess I don't favor them to beat Qatar in Qatar or accumulating the necessary points to begin clinching an early qualification. And while I agree that right now the balance of points and quality is closer in the other 2 contests from groups B and C (Iraq v Jordan and Australia v Saudi Arabia), ultimately I see Qatar v Uzbekistan as being within a similar enough genre. But l I understand the distinction you alluded to and thanks for your comment and rep.
Uzbekistan, Iraq and Australia are clear favourites here. finished 5 out of last 7 qualifiers inside top 8 that is most by any nation outside the big five. They will only choke if they go in to the play-offs but not here with spaces opening up in a new FIFA format. Although they have 4 out of next 6 fixtures away, 6 points lead is huge already. And Qatar is pretty much a cup format team, they suck in league format. has 3 home fixtures to Jordan's 2 which is significant. had caused comparative troubles to in previous campaigns, has their last fixture at home against them this time, but looks more prepared than ever. They have been consistent top ten/eleven finishers in previous qualifires. But yes, has a chance no doubt. Although and Saudi Arabia are at same points, just looks like a mess since the last world cup and rearranged domestic football scenario. If they hope for a revival, they will need to avoid defeat to next month away, which, of course, they can. But their morals are pretty much down for a long time now. I find the case of Indonesia rather interesting. I know they're going through constant change of combination due to heavy importation of expats and they'll be a genuine contender for a FIFA WC spot in 2030. But they have next 4 out of 6 fixtures at home and they're just 2 points off the number 2 in the table. Very very interesting. I know it's too early. But they've shown incredible potential too rapidly which surprised me.
I recon Uzbekistan to have a point at least from Qatar if not a all 3 points since Qatar appears to be out of shape and out of confidence specially from a heavy loss from Iran in their last outing at neutral venue. In Iraq vs Jordan game, I feel Iraq has an advantage and might turn out victorious with slight margin 1-0. Australia vs Saudi Arabia will surely be a game of the round. Australia will definitely have home advantage on their back but it will depend upon Saudi Arabia, specially on Manchini, if he wants to play brave by playing unknown inexperience players (like he did against Bahrain) or if he plays more cunningly by playing with experience lot in the likes of Saleh AlShehri, Firas AlBurikan along with Al-Juwair, Kanno, Salim and Ghareeb in the midfield, while also keeping defence tight by having AlBulaihi back in the squad. Manchini can make or break the dream of Saudi Arabia directly qualifying to World Cup with his selection of playing 11.
There are rumors flying about here that Xavi Hernandez may be about to take charge of the Qatar national team (see link below). If he does, that will be a huge boost for Qatar given how successful he was with Al Sadd. He already knows a lot of the players. Uzbekistan has always been a huge thorn on the side for Qatar. I think they won like 6 games in a row before Qatar eventually overcame the hoodoo in the last Asian Cup, but even that was penalties. I think I've seen Uzbekistan beat Qatar like three times here in Doha. I saw an interview after the Asian Cup with one of the Qatar players, I think it was the goalkeeper and he sited Uzbekistan as their toughest challenge in their two Asian Cup runs. Anyway we'll see what happens, I'll definitely be going to that one. Xavi to take charge of Qatar national team soon? | Qatar Living
Successful at the domestic but not in the ACL. I doubt Qatar is gonna have any major edge with Xavi's appointment. Rather it would rather be difficult to exhibit the brand of football The Spaniard would want them to showcase.
Manchini and Saudi Arabia part ways after mutual agreement. Rumors are that Saudi FA is in talks with Herve Renard (currently coaching French Female football team) as well as Jesus (Al-Hilal coach). The Saudi FA mentioned that they will announce appointment of new coach within some days. Let's see who gets the hot seat. Manchini lost his position mainly because of his defensive mindset and experimenting with new players in the team instead of playing with experienced lots specially Saleh Al-Shehri (scorer of KSA 1st equalising goal against Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2022) and dropping players like Salman AlFaraj, while not playing AlGhareeb and AlJuwair in all important match against Bahrain apart from Saleh Al-Shehri. Manchini has himself to be blamed for losing the post.
مصادر "الجزيرة" اتحاد القدم يستقر على اسماء مدربين اثنين ليتولى احدهما تدريب #المنتخب_السعودي و هما الفرنسي رينارد والروماني رازافان لوشيسكو ..
Al Jazeera sources: The Saudi Football Association decides on the names of two coaches, one of whom will coach the Saudi national team, namely the Frenchman Renard and the Romanian Razavan Lucescu.
Worst part is that Saud Abdulhamid is just warming bench in Roma and not getting any playing time. News is that he's also not satisfied by remaining on bench as substitute and looking to return to Saudi Arabia in January 2025 transfer window.
Worst News for Saudi National Teams, fans and coach that Salem Al Dossari (undoubtedly best player of Saudi Arabia in current times) is injured in last league match played last night, and he is out for 2 to 3 weeks. Saudi Arabia don't have much option to have any replacement in place of Salem
With Salem out from Saudi Arabia National Team, Australia is now having clear advantage apart from home advantage. But, this might be opportunity for other players in the team to shine if they have the mental awareness of the situation and apply their skills sensibly.
Hi Hammad-friend. I'm just packing to fly off to the game tomorrow my time. It will be my first time visiting the stadium (although I've been to Melbourne countless times before). May the best team on the night win (although you must forgive me for hoping that its us).
... Let's hope it's an entertaining game and yes, may the team that plays to her potential in the night win.
From an Australian perspective 6 points from this window and we have our noses in front for a direct spot, 4 points keeps us in the mix and less than that will mean round 4 becomes the main aim.
Predictions for matchday 5 Australia 0-1 Saudi Arabia North Korea 0-1 Iran Bahrain 3-1 China Kuwait 0-2 South Korea Oman 1-1 Palestine Iraq 0-0 Jordan Qatar 2-3 Uzbekistan UAE 2-1 Kyrgyzstan Indonesia 1-2 Japan
Back in my room after the match. No replay on ground so can’t comment on Saudi’s disallowed goal. We had by far the better chances but failed to finish any of them. Even though the chances fell our way I thought the Saudi team had better ball control than us. We needed a win and now it will be hard to finish in the top two.
Saudi Arabia had the goal wrongly disallowed... IMO, it was 1-0... Anyhow, guess Saudi Arabia are now back in contention for direct qualification. A loss would meant that Saudi to play for 3rd position in the group for playoff. Anyhow, group is wide open if BAHRAIN and CHINA also draw.
Australia had 2 best chances, where Saudi # 6 and then # 14 made terrible mistakes which wasn't punished by Aussie strikers. The mistake by # 6 reminded of the mistake committed by AlMaliki in FIFA World Cup 22 match against Poland on which, Lewandowski Poland's 2nd goal... Seems Saudi players have a habit of giving away ball to opposition in such manner
North Korea 2-3 Iran What was looking to become a breeze win, with 0-3 in half-time, became a nail biter in 2nd half. Iran got a red card, scored an own goal and missed a penalty. Very sloppy but nevertheless 3 points, which is a relief.