Unfortunately, I just can't see anyone in Group B who'd be able to consign Australia to third or worse. Japan and South Korea look well on course, as usual.
Y so upse't bro?
Good luck to them. Beat Australia 2-1 at home recently and don't seem to have any dodgy naturalised Brazilians.
a.haak
Wish we were playing Jordan today.Come to think of it they probably wish they were playing us as well.
A very clinical and disciplined display by Uruguay.Five nil and really it could have been more.
Our 2 Nix players in CR squad for Socceroos match next Tuesday...hope its on Sommet
A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen
Finishes 0-0.
Didn't expect that. After seeing some of the first match, I'm curious to watch some footage of this game when I can.
It's not a win, but all credit to Jordan for bouncing back.
Anyone else see that matchfixing ring that got busted in the UK suggested that they rigged WC qualifiers in Aussie? http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/matchfixing-link-to-australia-is-speculative-says-ffa-20131129-2yfz7.html
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
I feel sorry for Uzbekistan. They are always so near but never make it to the the World Cup. I know they still have chances but is unlikely they finish above South Korea or get to beat Australia, Saudi Arabia or Japan in the playoff
Rosario Central, the All Whites, Waitakere United and the mighty Phoenix! speaker of engrish
So again the Uzbeks have put themselves in a difficult situation by loosing against China. Now they are not even in a plaoyff position as Siria is above them.
| Team | Pts | GD | Situation |
| South Korea | 12 | 1 (11 goals for) | Qualifies for WC |
| Siria | 12 | 1 (7 goals for) | Playoff |
| Uzbekistan | 12 | -1 | Eliminated |
Next round will be
Iran vs Siria
Uzbekistan vs South Korea
In group B I think the Aussies will go through as they probably will beat Thailand in Melbourne but anything can happen in the Saudi Arabia-Japan game.
| Team | Pts | GD | Situation |
| Saudi Arabia | 16 | 6 | Qualifies for WC |
| Australia | 16 | 4 | Playoff |
| UAE | 13 | -2 | Eliminated |
Next round
Iraq vs UAE
Australia vs Thailand
Saudi Arabia vs Japan
As for Uzbekistan I really hope they don't get eliminated again. They have a long history of being close to qualifying but failing in the last matches.
In 2014 they lost in the plaoyff to Jordan after being tied in points with South Korea but having a worse GD.
In 2006 they lost in the playoff to Bahrain by away goals after drawing 1-1 overall. The worse part is that they had won the first match 1-0 but they asked to replay it after a referee mistake. Then they drew 1-1.
In 2002 they were 1 point away from qualifying directly. Loosing against Oman, that were in the bottom of the table, in the 9th round, pretty much ruined everything for them.
Rosario Central, the All Whites, Waitakere United and the mighty Phoenix! speaker of engrish
Well it's in Uzbekistans hands...win at home vs South Korea and they are through...time for them to stop choking and step up. South Korea have been bad on the road so there is every chance. Amazing that Syria are so close as well, it would be a great story if they made it but I doubt that they can win in Iran (who haven't lost a game or conceded a goal in the group)
Well it's in Uzbekistans hands...win at home vs South Korea and they are through...time for them to stop choking and step up. South Korea have been bad on the road so there is every chance. Amazing that Syria are so close as well, it would be a great story if they made it but I doubt that they can win in Iran (who haven't lost a game or conceded a goal in the group)
The Uzbeks could beat South Korea but fail to qualify directly if Siria beats Iran. In that scenario GD would be decisive. If they had beaten China then even loosing they could have gone through. I hope both Uzbekistan and Siria get to go to the WC
Rosario Central, the All Whites, Waitakere United and the mighty Phoenix! speaker of engrish
Syria score a last minute equaliser to sneak above Uzbekistan for the 3rd place play off spot in the other group, they will either face Aussie or the Saudis
So add another failure to Uzbekistan record. Good for Siria though. Would be huge if they beat either the Aussies or Saudi Arabia
Rosario Central, the All Whites, Waitakere United and the mighty Phoenix! speaker of engrish
Uzbekistan choke again, Syria keep the party rolling on...they have some spirit in that team, Australia blow a million chances vs Thailand so now they play Syria...could be tough, Aussie might not make it now. South Korea scrape through as do Saudi Arabia.
Do NZF, try for two friendlies (Japan & South Korea) in October window? Or just one game and an extended training opportunity?
two games - we need to play against high quality teams. Anything less is not good enough. If we want to have a chance against the Sth American side, a 11 v 11 training game won't cut it.
Would love to see Japan play here in Auckland - the crowd would be 50 / 50 and make for a great atmosphere.
If is two games, I'd like one to be against a Latino side like Guatemala (who were unlikely to miss out on the top six CONCACAF last stage qualifying) - in a bid to better simulate that South American playoff team.
Long shot I know.
We could play Australia, but it might be better to have a friendly against a more skillful opposition.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Australia v Syria second leg, 1-1 at H/T 2-2 on aggregate.
Would be amazing if Syria made it through. The reports on the state of Australian football have been pretty damning this WCQ campaign, so the knives are out if they don't make it through.
nail biting stuff
Can feel the tense crowd
Do away goals count in Extra-Time?
E's Flat Ah's Flat Too
So the Intercontinental Playoff draw for June 2022 is yet to be made. But drawing AFC shapes at this stage as 2nd best outcome for OFC winners (hopefully AWs).
2 pools of 6 teams each. Top 2 teams in each pool automatically off to Qatar. 3rd placed teams playoff over 2 more games, to become AFC's 5th team into the Intercontinental Playoff draw.
Japan (upset at home by Oman 1-0 in their first game) & UAE are currently the 2 3rd placed teams, but very early doors.
Pool B with Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia - you'd think good chance Intercontinental playoff team could be one of them.
But who knows. War ravaged Syria (no home games in Syria) and Socceroos were the two 3rd placed teams in 2017. From memory Socceroos damn lucky to win that series (3-2) to make Intercontinental playoffs where they beat Honduras. I think Syrians hit the post in Sydney (Aus 2-1) and would have gone through on away goals if it went in???
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
2 more games for each team over this October window starting from Thursday.
Socceroos in Japan next week a big game.
2 pools of 6 teams each. Top 2 teams in each pool automatically off to Qatar. 3rd placed teams playoff over 2 more games, to become AFC's 5th team into the Intercontinental Playoff draw.
Japan (upset at home by Oman 1-0 in their first game) & UAE are currently the 2 3rd placed teams, but very early doors.
Pool B with Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia - you'd think good chance Intercontinental playoff team could be one of them.
But who knows. War ravaged Syria (no home games in Syria) and Socceroos were the two 3rd placed teams in 2017. From memory Socceroos damn lucky to win that series (3-2) to make Intercontinental playoffs where they beat Honduras. I think Syrians hit the post in Sydney (Aus 2-1) and would have gone through on away goals if it went in???
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
2 more games for each team over this October window starting from Thursday.
Socceroos in Japan next week a big game.
Games overnight
Korea Republic 2 - 1 Syria
Iraq 0 - 0 Lebanon
UAE 0 - 1 Iran
Saudi Arabia 1 - 0 Japan
China PR 3 - 2 Vietnam
Australia 3 - 1 Oman
Pool A Iran (9 pts) Sth Korea (7 pts) running away with it. 3 teams on 2 pts, with UAE in 3rd spot on GD
Pool B Saudi & Aus both 3W from 3 (9 pts). Early days but again 3 teams on same points (3 pts) in 3rd spot. Oman in 3rd spot on GD. You'd back Japan to at least finish 3rd though.
Korea Republic 2 - 1 Syria
Iraq 0 - 0 Lebanon
UAE 0 - 1 Iran
Saudi Arabia 1 - 0 Japan
China PR 3 - 2 Vietnam
Australia 3 - 1 Oman
Pool A Iran (9 pts) Sth Korea (7 pts) running away with it. 3 teams on 2 pts, with UAE in 3rd spot on GD
Pool B Saudi & Aus both 3W from 3 (9 pts). Early days but again 3 teams on same points (3 pts) in 3rd spot. Oman in 3rd spot on GD. You'd back Japan to at least finish 3rd though.
Japan vs Australia about to kick off. All the pressure on the Blue Samurai.
Yoshida who captained their Olympic team also the senior captain.
Unlike the Olympics, this game being played in front of spectators.
This on paper ain't a great Socceroos team (plus is sans A League players), but suspect Japanese football at an even lower ebb. Wouldn't be the worst opponent to draw in Intercontinental Playoffs, on current form.
Maybe someone on the forum in Nippon can provide some intel on the state of the Japanese team. I see they have a pretty experienced team (mostly all above age 26), with 4 starters tonight from their Olympics team. Overage guys Endo, Yosida & Sakai. Plus young gun Tanaka.
Edit - Japan up 1-0. Champness's Turkish club team mate Aziz Behich could have done better maybe.
HT, and still 1-0. Taggart (who plays in Japan these days) hit a post. But Blue Samurai definitely the better chances.
Yoshida who captained their Olympic team also the senior captain.
Unlike the Olympics, this game being played in front of spectators.
This on paper ain't a great Socceroos team (plus is sans A League players), but suspect Japanese football at an even lower ebb. Wouldn't be the worst opponent to draw in Intercontinental Playoffs, on current form.
Maybe someone on the forum in Nippon can provide some intel on the state of the Japanese team. I see they have a pretty experienced team (mostly all above age 26), with 4 starters tonight from their Olympics team. Overage guys Endo, Yosida & Sakai. Plus young gun Tanaka.
Edit - Japan up 1-0. Champness's Turkish club team mate Aziz Behich could have done better maybe.
HT, and still 1-0. Taggart (who plays in Japan these days) hit a post. But Blue Samurai definitely the better chances.
Usually don’t start watching them till the WC- they’re usually a shoe-in.
You’d suspect Japan should still have the players to do the job, but they seem to be playing without the composure, confidence and cohesion you expect.
They should have done better in this game than they have- they haven’t been clinical with opportunities.
As I type a PK awarded against them. They’ve left the door open far too much.
You’d suspect Japan should still have the players to do the job, but they seem to be playing without the composure, confidence and cohesion you expect.
They should have done better in this game than they have- they haven’t been clinical with opportunities.
As I type a PK awarded against them. They’ve left the door open far too much.
Bit of a farce, all teed up for the PK and then VAR spots it is outside the area. Aussie still a chance though.
Edit: and Aussie converts! Graeme Arnold stops his incessant pacing and Japan is glum as they see even the last chance salon even possibly slipping away.
Edit: and Aussie converts! Graeme Arnold stops his incessant pacing and Japan is glum as they see even the last chance salon even possibly slipping away.
Japan gets it done in the end. Considering how they bossed the game they let it get a lot closer than necessary.
Behich with an oggie to go with his mistake in the first half.
Behich with an oggie to go with his mistake in the first half.
A very good free kick (after the initial awarded pen overturned by VAR) by Hrustic to bring it back to 1-1.
But at 85th min, Japan grab the winner. Unlucky OG for Behich. Though to be fair Ryan had to make a few saves prior.
I'd still favour Socceroos to go through automatically, as one of top two sides in their pool. Especially with them likely to have real actual home games in Sydney from the Nov window.
Simon Hill really is a quality commentator.
But at 85th min, Japan grab the winner. Unlucky OG for Behich. Though to be fair Ryan had to make a few saves prior.
I'd still favour Socceroos to go through automatically, as one of top two sides in their pool. Especially with them likely to have real actual home games in Sydney from the Nov window.
Simon Hill really is a quality commentator.
NSW will be 80% fully vaccinated (adult popn) by around 19-24th Oct. And by a 11th Nov kick off against Saudi close to 90% double vaccinated (currently 91% single dose). So Arnold makes a pretty fair case, even if the crowd is only 50-66% capacity at say 15,000 to 20,000 and only the fully vaccinated. They are talking using Parramatta Stadium (now branded CommBank).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300428946/socceroos-coach-wants-fans-at-sydney-game-after-world-cup-defeat-in-japan
"I've watched Japan play the last three games without a crowd and their energy was nowhere near what it was tonight," Arnold said after the defeat in Saitama.
"We fought the crowd. We did very well," Arnold said.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/300428946/socceroos-coach-wants-fans-at-sydney-game-after-world-cup-defeat-in-japan
"I've watched Japan play the last three games without a crowd and their energy was nowhere near what it was tonight," Arnold said after the defeat in Saitama.
"We fought the crowd. We did very well," Arnold said.
"We got back to 1-1 and then the crowd noise, the energy, the crowd gave the Japanese players in the last 10-15 minutes really helped them get in front again.
"I'm just really appealing to the government to help us on this journey to qualify for a World Cup.
"NSW is open now. Please help us, we need our crowd back."
Games overnight
Japan 2 - 1 Australia
Iran 1 - 1 Korea Republic
Syria 2 - 3 Lebanon
Oman 3 - 1 Vietnam
UAE 2 - 2 Iraq
Saudi Arabia 3 - 2
Pool A Iran (10 pts) Sth Korea (8 pts) seemingly in control. Though Lebanon (5 pts) who have climbed to 3rd in the running. 3rd team will go into AFC playoffs.
Pool B the tighter pool. Saudi (12 pts) now clear 1st. Huge game Nov window against 2nd placed Aus (9 pts), which Arnold is rightly desperate to see hosted in front of Socceroos fans in Sydney.
Japan (6pts - 4th) definitely got a lift last night from their home fans. Oman also 6 pts & 3rd, edge Japan on GD at the moment. Blue Samurai travel to Oman in the Nov window, another big game in that pool.
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
Edit - if OFC draws AFC in Intercontinental Playoffs would prefer, is a West Asian team. AWs have a pretty handy overall record against Middle Eastern teams from memory. And them coming down in NZ mid winter, would be right out of their comfort zone.
So hopefully Japan & Aus can somehow reduce Saudi down to that 3rd place in their pool.
Japan 2 - 1 Australia
Iran 1 - 1 Korea Republic
Syria 2 - 3 Lebanon
Oman 3 - 1 Vietnam
UAE 2 - 2 Iraq
Saudi Arabia 3 - 2
Pool A Iran (10 pts) Sth Korea (8 pts) seemingly in control. Though Lebanon (5 pts) who have climbed to 3rd in the running. 3rd team will go into AFC playoffs.
Pool B the tighter pool. Saudi (12 pts) now clear 1st. Huge game Nov window against 2nd placed Aus (9 pts), which Arnold is rightly desperate to see hosted in front of Socceroos fans in Sydney.
Japan (6pts - 4th) definitely got a lift last night from their home fans. Oman also 6 pts & 3rd, edge Japan on GD at the moment. Blue Samurai travel to Oman in the Nov window, another big game in that pool.
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
Edit - if OFC draws AFC in Intercontinental Playoffs would prefer, is a West Asian team. AWs have a pretty handy overall record against Middle Eastern teams from memory. And them coming down in NZ mid winter, would be right out of their comfort zone.
So hopefully Japan & Aus can somehow reduce Saudi down to that 3rd place in their pool.
Today's results.
Australia 0 - 0 Saudi Arabia
Korea Republic 1 - 0 UAE
Lebanon 1 - 2 Iran
Vietnam 0 - 1 Japan
China PR 1 - 1 Oman
Iraq 1 - 1 Syria
At half way mark with 5 of 10 games played.
Pool A Iran (13 pts) Sth Korea (11 pts) seemingly well in control. Lebanon (5 pts) stay 3rd. 3rd team will go into AFC playoffs.
Pool B stays the tighter pool. Saudi (13 pts) stay clear 1st, and travel to pointless Vietnam next. 2nd placed Aus (9 pts), play China in Sharjah. Almost must win.
The other will be huge with Japan (3rd, 9 pts) travelling to Oman (4th, 7pts). Australia probably prefer a Oman victory.
Australia 0 - 0 Saudi Arabia
Korea Republic 1 - 0 UAE
Lebanon 1 - 2 Iran
Vietnam 0 - 1 Japan
China PR 1 - 1 Oman
Iraq 1 - 1 Syria
At half way mark with 5 of 10 games played.
Pool A Iran (13 pts) Sth Korea (11 pts) seemingly well in control. Lebanon (5 pts) stay 3rd. 3rd team will go into AFC playoffs.
Pool B stays the tighter pool. Saudi (13 pts) stay clear 1st, and travel to pointless Vietnam next. 2nd placed Aus (9 pts), play China in Sharjah. Almost must win.
The other will be huge with Japan (3rd, 9 pts) travelling to Oman (4th, 7pts). Australia probably prefer a Oman victory.
Saudi were certainly better than Aussie, but the 0 - 0 draw didn't prove it.
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
Today's results. Saudi with the win in Hanoi, looking strong for top spot in Pool B.
Aus (3rd) & Japan (2nd) seemingly in a scrap for 2nd & 3rd (playoff spot). Oman (4th) and 4 pts behind Socceroos likely out of it after today's loss.
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
J2 player Mitch Duke with Socceroos's goal in draw with the Chinese. They played in Sharjah, just up the road from the AWs playing Gambia in Dubai. Stensness an unused sub.
Blue Samurai got their goal late (81 mins) in Muscat. They now edge ahead of Socceroos by a point. Their match up in Aus, March next year is going to be huge (2nd last pool game for each).
In Pool A, unbeaten Iran & Sth Korea basically doing it in a canter. They can both start looking at Qatar travel plans. Real scrap for 3rd spot though.
Lebanon 0 - 1 UAE
Vietnam 0 - 1 Saudi Arabia
Iraq 0 - 3 Korea Republic
China PR 1 - 1 Australia
Syria 0 - 3 Iran
Oman 0 - 1 Japan
Aus (3rd) & Japan (2nd) seemingly in a scrap for 2nd & 3rd (playoff spot). Oman (4th) and 4 pts behind Socceroos likely out of it after today's loss.
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
J2 player Mitch Duke with Socceroos's goal in draw with the Chinese. They played in Sharjah, just up the road from the AWs playing Gambia in Dubai. Stensness an unused sub.
Blue Samurai got their goal late (81 mins) in Muscat. They now edge ahead of Socceroos by a point. Their match up in Aus, March next year is going to be huge (2nd last pool game for each).
In Pool A, unbeaten Iran & Sth Korea basically doing it in a canter. They can both start looking at Qatar travel plans. Real scrap for 3rd spot though.
Lebanon 0 - 1 UAE
Vietnam 0 - 1 Saudi Arabia
Iraq 0 - 3 Korea Republic
China PR 1 - 1 Australia
Syria 0 - 3 Iran
Oman 0 - 1 Japan
Today's results.
Pool B
Australia 4 - 0 Vietnam
Saudi Arabia 1 - 0 Oman
Japan 2 - 0 China PR
Pool A
Lebanon 0 - 1 Korea Republic
Iran 1 - 0 Iraq
UAE 2 - 0 Syria
7 of 10 rounds now played.
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
Maclaren, Rogic, Goodwin & McGree scorers for Socceroos.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/01/27/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/australia/vietnam/3531833/
Pool A Iran (19 pts) have now qualified for Qatar. South Korea (17 pts) basically there. They would need to lose all 3 of their remaining games, and UAE (9 pts) win all 3, to stop the Koreans making it. 3rd spot (into AFC playoffs) still up for grabs. Lebanon (5 pts) & Iraq (4 pts) still a chance, though UAE in the box seat.
Pool B stays the tighter pool. Saudi (19 pts) stay clear 1st. 2nd placed Japan (15 pts) host the Saudis in a few days in a huge game. A draw maybe is what Socceroos want. Australia (3rd, 14 pts) have a tricky game in Oman next. They can't afford a loss.
Socceroos hosting Blue Samurai in March is going to be colossal.
Remembering the 5th AFC team plays 5th CONEMBOL side, in the Intercontinental Playoffs!
Pool B
Australia 4 - 0 Vietnam
Saudi Arabia 1 - 0 Oman
Japan 2 - 0 China PR
Pool A
Lebanon 0 - 1 Korea Republic
Iran 1 - 0 Iraq
UAE 2 - 0 Syria
7 of 10 rounds now played.
https://us.soccerway.com/international/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/2022-qatar/3rd-round/r51885/
Maclaren, Rogic, Goodwin & McGree scorers for Socceroos.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/01/27/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/australia/vietnam/3531833/
Pool A Iran (19 pts) have now qualified for Qatar. South Korea (17 pts) basically there. They would need to lose all 3 of their remaining games, and UAE (9 pts) win all 3, to stop the Koreans making it. 3rd spot (into AFC playoffs) still up for grabs. Lebanon (5 pts) & Iraq (4 pts) still a chance, though UAE in the box seat.
Pool B stays the tighter pool. Saudi (19 pts) stay clear 1st. 2nd placed Japan (15 pts) host the Saudis in a few days in a huge game. A draw maybe is what Socceroos want. Australia (3rd, 14 pts) have a tricky game in Oman next. They can't afford a loss.
Socceroos hosting Blue Samurai in March is going to be colossal.
Remembering the 5th AFC team plays 5th CONEMBOL side, in the Intercontinental Playoffs!