The 'Big 4' is dead. Say hello to the 'Big 5'.

I would love to have this format.

 

If it is only down to about 8 teams in the final stage, then it would work.

 

Yes, I'd love to have that format too. But it's practically impossible since AFC is an organization consisting of more than 50+ members. A "league-format" WCQ would have been good only for the powerhouses, but that would mean not many matches will be played among the lesser-quality nations. This will, in the long term, create a more wider gap between the powerhouses and the lesser ones and it will also mean that AFC will not gain any desirable improvement within the region.

Since AFC needs more powerhouses in the future, they would have to come up with a format where a lot of matches are played between powerhouses and the lesser-quality nations. Personally, I think AFC should look into a method combining those two ideas (A league format + more matches between 1st tier & 2nd tier & 3rd tier teams) - Yes, a format similar to European WCQ.

 

I don't understand why so many are surprised by North Korea's performance. It was pretty clear to me that they would do well and were better than Group A's "bottom three" simply by virtue of their third round performance (0 goals conceded, including 2 games with South Korea).

 

I don't think most people is surprised at the performance of N. Korea. They have played well in 2006 WCQ and East Asian Championship, and it was evident that if any of those top three played bad, N. Korea would have slipped into the top spots. And that's exactly what happened.

 

It was a matter of time for the North Koreans to become more competitive.

 

Edited for accuracy.

 

I'm getting really sick and tired of hearing about the pissing contest between Group A and Group B. To me if you're entertained by mediocrity, a dark horse and a winner, take Group B, because that's what you've got. If you want to see the top two teams in Asia make their stand and play great football against some competitive teams hungry for points, look for Group A.

That's how it is. Group B is not so much better than Group A - everyone beneath South Korea is mediocre (North Korea are punching above their weight), but equally as so. Ergo it's like watching two one-legged men in an arse kicking contest.

 

So if you don't win your group you're by-definition "mediocre?" Sorry, but no group A game has been as good as today's SK-Iran match, not to mention the two Iran-Saudi and Saudi-SK games. Heck even Saudi-UAE in Riyadh was more fun to watch than anything in group A.

I'm not taking away from OZ and Japan's achievements -- they are the top two in Asia (along with SK), but that doesn't change the fact that the 3 other teams in that group are quite ordinary even compared to NK. Group A has been B-O-R-I-N-G and everyone knew where it would end up before it even started, quite unlike Group B where we still don't know what will happen. To argue otherwise is just mind-boggling.

 

......spot on!

 

The same stadium where Iran qualified for the World Cup?

 

..... uh what?

Group A was always going to be a two horsed race between Australia and Japan. To put it in terms you can understand:

Group A: Scottish Premier League (we all know either Celtic or Rangers will win it)

Group B: EPL (3-4 teams in contention of topping the table)

 

Seriously SOME of the Australian posters need to take a chill pill and accept the FACT that group B >>>>>> Group A.

Even the Japanese posters are not commenting on this since they have been in Asia for a long tme and know which group is tougher.

LASTLY,

3RD PLACED GROUP B TEAM WILL ERADICATE/ wipe out Group A team.

 

Australia - Japan will end in another dull draw.

Saudi Arabia - Iran ? The history and tensions behind this fixture make it a must watch.

The only match I would watch from Group A would be Australia Japan.

Group B , every team except UAE has a huge intense rivalry with each other.

 

Exactly, didn't Japan lose at the Azadi during the last qualifiers.

 

Yes they did!

 

Make a pact/thread.

 

You do realise that these matches are over, don't you?
2-1 Australia
1-1 Sth Korea - Iran
Anyways, i agree that group b is a tighter group. More evenly matched than group a.

 

What is this thread about? Someone make a DVD for me so I can understand what's going on.

 

Australian: lol Group A is better
Japan: iono Group B seems tough
Group B: /facepalm

 

Seriously the aussies believe they would amass 20 pts if they were in Group B instead of South Korea?

 

Cocaine's a hell of a drug.