And Williams denies UZB a tap in after a KSA played dives to the ground after minimal contact. Ben Williams could cause an international incident here.
2015 Asian Cup
lucky for the Uzbeks that that guy didn't get a touch as that was going in
You'd think the Uzbeks had won the cup from the way they are celebrating. Still, good on them, worthy winners.
Sina is going nuts. Information overload.
Here is a link to the highlights of China-Nth Korea:
From All Whites thread:
Perrin has signalled that he will be relying on veteran Gao Lin (striker) and prolific scorer Wu Lei (attack mid) to knock in the goals up front.
China are looking to get a result to improve their rankings to then give them a favourable draw for WC qualification matches in Asia.
And there is the obligatory reference to their failed tilt for the 1982 WC due to NZ....
So the strike force hasn't eventuated although it looks like Gao Lin is still favoured because of his workrate and positioning, and Wu Lei sits a bit deeper so not getting the opportunities.
However pundits have calculated that after the tournament (assuming no further progress than the QF) China could rise to 5th ranked in Asia and if they beat Oz then 4th is very likely.
Whether Ange keeps his job post-tournament now comes down to making the Final and performing well in it.
If Australia go out in the quarters against China, then you'd expect him to lose his job.
Probably will face Japan in the semi - so his job will hinge on the quality of that performance and if they make the Final.
Ange has a pretty average record so far results wise - though he's working with a squad that's not nearly as good as the Socceroos of 2000 to 2010 with Kewell, Viduka, Schwarzer etc.
Ange's Socceroos Record to Date:
http://int.soccerway.com/teams/australia/australia...
Played: 15 Won: 4 Drew: 2 Lost: 9
A lot of tough games among those - but he also lost a friendly to Qatar, drew with the UAE etc.
Of his four wins, one was a narrow 3-2 win over a very average Saudi side in London and two were against average Kuwait and Oman sides the last week in the Asian Cup.
The only decent side he beat was Costa Rica pre-World Cup (November 2013) but that was at home against a weakened Costa Rica side trialing players like Cunningham and Hernandez and missing most of their Euro stars like Bryan Ruiz (Australia had a full strength squad).
Ange will not lose his job regardless of where Oz finish.
If I was chairman of the FFA, I'd sack him if they lost to China in the quarter-final because that would not be an acceptable result.
Losing to probable semi-final opponent Japan in Newcastle later in the week would only be acceptable if Japan played really well and the Socceroos put on a good display.
I didn't like the way Ange handled the last group game against South Korea - I can't understand his thinking in not starting his best eleven. In interviews he gave the excuse that in Brazil his experience was that he found the players were "too tired" when he fielded the same players in the third group game. I don't agree with that decision to rest several of the top players against one of the better teams in the tournament which cost them top spot in the group and thus a potentially easier semi-final.
By losing to South Korea and not topping the group, Ange forfeited the chance to instead play the easier likely semi-final opponent of Iran or Iraq which South Korea will most likely face instead.
It's also going to cost the tournament organizers $A500,000 in lost revenue and mean the Socceroos will play the potential semi in front of a small crowd in Newcastle with the local organizers banking on the Socceroos making the other semi which will be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney with its 83,000 capacity rather than Hunter stadium in Newcastle capacity 23,000 (reduced for the tournament due to AFC regulations). Instead, a likely small crowd will watch the likely South Korea vs. Iran or Iraq semi in Sydney. The two semis will not be switched:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/afc-asian-cup/s...
Ange seems to have the flaw of always saying he's building for "future success" and disregarding the prime task of winning the game at hand. This is the biggest football tournament Australia has ever hosted and success in it is very important for football in Australia. Ange should be talking more about success in it and not be so apparently blase about it. The "future success" may after all never come.
This is evident in this interview on the eve of the tournament:
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2015/01...
What will happen if things go wrong at the Asian Cup? Do you think your job will under threat?
"I just don't think in those terms and to me it's never about absolutes. We might win, we might be the ones who get the lucky breaks and the lucky penalty, that's not going to mask where I think we're at. For me it's just sticking to your original mission. The original mission was regenerating the team. Rejuvenate the way we play our football. Something that more represents the kind of country we are and what the majority of supporters want their national team to play like. That's still what's driving me. The absolutes of it, I've never worried (about them)."
It will be a cracker of a game.
Cahill thinks that China will fear Oz (underlining what a melter he is). China have already exceeded their own targets and expectations and have built up a good level of self-belief. They will not be overawed I think, unless they have a fragility when in a hostile crowd.
Oz have the players to beat China and will have a point to prove, but will also have a lot of expectation.
The general consensus from online Chinese posts and punditry is that China are likely to lose but a sneak upset is not out of the question (if you'd asked the question before the tournament the universal theme would be to hope for second place but not be surprised to fail to progress).
Whether Ange keeps his job post-tournament now comes down to making the Final and performing well in it.
If Australia go out in the quarters against China, then you'd expect him to lose his job.
Probably will face Japan in the semi - so his job will hinge on the quality of that performance and if they make the Final.
Ange has a pretty average record so far results wise - though he's working with a squad that's not nearly as good as the Socceroos of 2000 to 2010 with Kewell, Viduka, Schwarzer etc.
Ange's Socceroos Record to Date:
http://int.soccerway.com/teams/australia/australia...
Played: 15 Won: 4 Drew: 2 Lost: 9
A lot of tough games among those - but he also lost a friendly to Qatar, drew with the UAE etc.
Of his four wins, one was a narrow 3-2 win over a very average Saudi side in London and two were against average Kuwait and Oman sides the last week in the Asian Cup.
The only decent side he beat was Costa Rica pre-World Cup (November 2013) but that was at home against a weakened Costa Rica side trialing players like Cunningham and Hernandez and missing most of their Euro stars like Bryan Ruiz (Australia had a full strength squad).
Ange will not lose his job regardless of where Oz finish.
If I was chairman of the FFA, I'd sack him if they lost to China in the quarter-final because that would not be an acceptable result.
Losing to probable semi-final opponent Japan in Newcastle later in the week would only be acceptable if Japan played really well and the Socceroos put on a good display.
I didn't like the way Ange handled the last group game against South Korea - I can't understand his thinking in not starting his best eleven. In interviews he gave the excuse that in Brazil his experience was that he found the players were "too tired" when he fielded the same players in the third group game. I don't agree with that decision to rest several of the top players against one of the better teams in the tournament which cost them top spot in the group and thus a potentially easier semi-final.
By losing to South Korea and not topping the group, Ange forfeited the chance to instead play the easier likely semi-final opponent of Iran or Iraq which South Korea will most likely face instead.
It's also going to cost the tournament organizers $A500,000 in lost revenue and mean the Socceroos will play the potential semi in front of a small crowd in Newcastle with the local organizers banking on the Socceroos making the other semi which will be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney with its 83,000 capacity rather than Hunter stadium in Newcastle capacity 23,000 (reduced for the tournament due to AFC regulations). Instead, a likely small crowd will watch the likely South Korea vs. Iran or Iraq semi in Sydney. The two semis will not be switched:
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/afc-asian-cup/s...
Ange seems to have the flaw of always saying he's building for "future success" and disregarding the prime task of winning the game at hand. This is the biggest football tournament Australia has ever hosted and success in it is very important for football in Australia. Ange should be talking more about success in it and not be so apparently blase about it. The "future success" may after all never come.
This is evident in this interview on the eve of the tournament:
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2015/01...
What will happen if things go wrong at the Asian Cup? Do you think your job will under threat?
"I just don't think in those terms and to me it's never about absolutes. We might win, we might be the ones who get the lucky breaks and the lucky penalty, that's not going to mask where I think we're at. For me it's just sticking to your original mission. The original mission was regenerating the team. Rejuvenate the way we play our football. Something that more represents the kind of country we are and what the majority of supporters want their national team to play like. That's still what's driving me. The absolutes of it, I've never worried (about them)."
So what you are saying Pete is that because you did not like the way Ange handled the game against S.Korea, were you chairman you would sack him.
He just happens to be the best coach Oz have had since Gus H.
Am probably going to get the " wrong thread" here but after watching a few of the matches from this tournament it has reinforced the following for me.
1) what a great confederation Asia is. The level of commercial sponsorship, professionalism of the tournament etc. The OFC tournaments really are embarrassing by comparison.
2) there are 5 or 6 really good teams ( better than us) and another handful of ok ones ( similar to us). Even a side like Kuwait who lost to Oman play a more cohesive, skilful and attractive brand of football. For instance the number 9, 21 and 10 were easily A League quality and a joy to watch. However that said I don't think that the teams outside the top 6 or so are clinical in their finishing and we'd have a chance against them if we defended well and took our chances.
3) If we merged with Asia and had 5 guaranteed spots then this would represent our best chance of regular qualification and ability to attract international sponsorship ( ref NZ cricket as an example in the past). It would cost us more but I think NZF have to back themselves and become more relevant to the sporting public. Friendlies are fine but meaningful matches are what really captures attention and develops players etc.
4) merging with the Asian Federation as a post OFC, late stage equaliser is the best long term solution. Our U 17s etc mucking around in Samoa is doing nothing for their development. Watching the highlights it looks like some of the island teams have been given a pair of boots and a couple of training sessions at best... Refer Khrisnas comments about the Fiji national team and lack of games.. It's doing little for our development.
UAE such a joy to watch with the passing style they play and willing to try things other top teams don't. Omar Abdulrahman is such a treasure to the sport.
Had to laugh at the incredible confidence (many would say arrogance) of the commentator pre-game when he said "in all likelihood one of these teams will meet Australia in the semi final." Comments like that make it hard for me to truly support the Aussies.
Surreal moment for me again - my Charlton Athletic man Reza scoring in the first minute of extra time to seemingly win it for Iran.
Fantasy Football stuff.
Actually, Reza is not considered good enough at Charlton at the moment and is currently on loan in Kuwait.
Was sent to Charlton from sister club Standard Liege in Belgium - the two clubs have the same wealthy Belgian owner...
Reza was the first Charlton player to ever score in the World Cup Finals back in June (he played regularly for the Addicks in the second half of last season).
Gutted. UAE should've scored in that match, then as was always a chance, poor defending cost them. Still, showed they are a team that play some great football even if not the complete package. Bring on Japan.
Just realised that an Iran-Iraq QF is on the cards. Should be tasty.
The general consensus from online Chinese posts and punditry is that China are likely to lose but a sneak upset is not out of the question (if you'd asked the question before the tournament the universal theme would be to hope for second place but not be surprised to fail to progress).
Don't post here often, but do read the forums.
Random question: Are you Chinese Junior82?
我就是新西兰华裔。你呢？
我就是新西兰华裔。你呢？
Inscrutable!
当凤凰上升哪里烧伤去了？
I hope google translate has done its work!
我就是新西兰华裔。你呢？
"OI!! Speak English!"
It must be fascinating for Aussie culture to have the Asian Cup there. Their mainstream culture has been so tied up in the Anglo-sphere (see above) it must be really interesting for them to have all these countries who haven't been traditional rivals all of a sudden there.
Be a really interesting thing to study the coverage of the Asian Cup compared to say the cricket or other more 'traditionally' Aussie sport.
当凤凰上升哪里烧伤去了？
I hope google translate has done its work!
Sort of. I'm not overly fluent these days but it might be more:
凤凰队站起来时候，Burns去哪里？
It must be fascinating for Aussie culture to have the Asian Cup there. Their mainstream culture has been so tied up in the Anglo-sphere (see above) it must be really interesting for them to have all these countries who haven't been traditional rivals all of a sudden there.
Be a really interesting thing to study the coverage of the Asian Cup compared to say the cricket or other more 'traditionally' Aussie sport.
I think it is good that it is held in Oz, despite it's entrenched bigotry I wouldn't think that there wouldn't be much hostility in the stands or on the pitch between rivals such as Japan and China (or Iran - Iraq. or Sth Korea - Best Korea). Different setting and most of the supporters will be there to watch the football rather than seek redress for historical slights.
Got our broadband back but will just twitter these two games.
Japan 1-0 up vs Jordan
Iraq dominating Palestine but still 0-0
It must be fascinating for Aussie culture to have the Asian Cup there. Their mainstream culture has been so tied up in the Anglo-sphere (see above) it must be really interesting for them to have all these countries who haven't been traditional rivals all of a sudden there.
Be a really interesting thing to study the coverage of the Asian Cup compared to say the cricket or other more 'traditionally' Aussie sport.
I think it is good that it is held in Oz, despite it's entrenched bigotry I wouldn't think that there wouldn't be much hostility in the stands or on the pitch between rivals such as Japan and China (or Iran - Iraq. or Sth Korea - Best Korea). Different setting and most of the supporters will be there to watch the football rather than seek redress for historical slights.
I guess I was thinking about things like- how will they talk about the teams on the tele? And also what will the pre and post games be like? Some of those teams won't be big into the drinking...
Oh, yes, sorry - didn't read your post properly/carefully.
I always thought the Koreans are good for a bit of a piss up. I think the younger Chinese fans are also up for a 啤酒 or two at CSL games.
Ben Williams not the only ref to award ludicrous penalties. Iraq handed a chance to go 2-0 up but justice done as the Palestine keeper saves well.
Oh, yes, sorry - didn't read your post properly/carefully.
I always thought the Koreans are good for a bit of a piss up. I think the younger Chinese fans are also up for a 啤酒 or two at CSL games.
from an NZ point of view- I wonder if there's been football diplomacy been going on what with the newly minted FTA and all and China's good results. We have had a few games with China, but I wonder if we've missed a trick there Asian Cup >>>> a few friendlies.
Japan hasn't put the game away here. Jordan are fading badly, but could pinch a draw here with some tremedous luck EDIT: and Japan scores 2-0
I don't think there really is much in the way of football diplomacy these days - unless it is to isolated countries.
Something like cricket with India (or Pakistan) I could understand but I think we must have a good relationship with CFA given the amount of games we have played over the years. Would be surprised if that flowed on to trade.
Japan 2-0 now - got my over 1.5 goals for that match. Now come on Iraq.
And in!
Huge payout for me - $2 on both games.
QF matches (NZ times):
Thu 22 Jan
20:30 Korea - Uzbekistan
22:30 China - Australia
Fri 23 Jan
19:30 Iran - Iraq
22:30 Japan - UAE
Oh, yes, sorry - didn't read your post properly/carefully.
I always thought the Koreans are good for a bit of a piss up. I think the younger Chinese fans are also up for a 啤酒 or two at CSL games.
from an NZ point of view- I wonder if there's been football diplomacy been going on what with the newly minted FTA and all and China's good results. We have had a few games with China, but I wonder if we've missed a trick there Asian Cup >>>> a few friendlies.
Japan hasn't put the game away here. Jordan are fading badly, but could pinch a draw here with some tremedous luck EDIT: and Japan scores 2-0
It wouldn't have been possible to put together a decent side, which would have significantly reduced the usefulness of it. It was probably better that our O-League qualifiers got some quality football.
iran v iraq! Have a good game boys!
我就是新西兰华裔。你呢？
Kiwi/Aussie/Indian. Live in Melbourne but spent most of my childhood in Wellington.
Was just wondering since you seemed to know the Chinese media's view on the tournament. Are you supporting them for the Asian Cup?
I skim through the Chinese media sites (mostly sports.sina, also sohu and xinhua), plus follow wildeastfootball (in English) and have just found mads davidson's blog (he did a bit for WEF a year or two back). Don't do weibo (Chinese twitter).
I always support underwhelming teams so of course will follow 国足.
Also tracked Killen when he was playing for Shenzhen and Chongqing FC.
Japan vs UAE should be a very good game, both very good passing teams with some flair...can UAE pull off the upset? I think Uzbekistan might upset South Korea as well...we shall see
I don't think there really is much in the way of football diplomacy these days - unless it is to isolated countries.
Something like cricket with India (or Pakistan) I could understand but I think we must have a good relationship with CFA given the amount of games we have played over the years. Would be surprised if that flowed on to trade.
Goes back to the period from the 1950's to the 1970's when NZ were one of the few countries willing to play China.
China quit FIFA between 1958 and 1979 so FIFA frowned on countries playing them - but I guess no one really cared if little NZ did so.
We played China four times in 1975 alone (three game China tour of NZ, once in China). NZ also played four games against Chinese club sides on that tour of China.
http://teamchina.freehostia.com/index.php?lang=en&...
http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id166....
Other countries prepared to play China included those bastions of freedom at the time North Korea, Albania, Cuba, Pakistan, Burma and Indonesia. Virtually no UEFA or South American or CONCACAF nations would.
The 1981-82 World Cup qualifiers against China also attracted huge attention in China, culminating in the play-off in Singapore.
This was China's first participation in World Cup qualifiers since the 1930's.
Another complication was that most western countries preferred to recognize Taiwan instead of China until 1971 when China was admitted to the UN and Taiwan expelled.
NZ has often had a policy of maintaining normal relations with countries like China and Palestine even before granting formal diplomatic recognition (this was true with China before formally recognizing it in 1972 and is currently true of Palestine which we don't yet grant formal diplomatic recognition to) .
The USA didn't recognize China until 1979 for example and often had a hostile relationship.
QF matches (NZ times):
Thu 22 Jan
20:30 Korea - Uzbekistan
22:30 China - Australia
Fri 23 Jan
19:30 Iran - Iraq
22:30 Japan - UAE
To progress...
South Korea 1.37 Uzbekistan 2.90
$100 on South Korea. Should be a good game though.
I'll match your $100.
Not really - $5 on Korea.
$2 on China and Aus to draw after 90 mins
I'll wait to I collect on the KOR game before considering the next game... ;-)