Asian Cup

South Korea 4-1 India

 

Australia finish top of the group courtesy of India's effort v Korea.

 

Australia will meet one of Iraq/Nth Korea/UAE, while Sth Korea face Iran in the quarters.

 

The draw has been kind to the Aussies, as the winner of their QF faces the winner of Jordan v Uzbekistan, while Japan, Iran, and South Korea are all on the other side of the draw.

 

EDIT: At least according to the TV. Looking at the AFC site, it looks like Aussie would face Japan/Qatar in the semi.

 

Really.  I'm shocked.

 

QFT.  Bigtime.  No doubt some of Australia's football Asiaphiles will find this galling.

 

 

What this tournament has shown me is that I much prefer continental competitions like this and the Euros (well actually only those.. so far) to the World Cup. 16 teams in the competition means most qualifiers are of a similar standard, and with a bit of local rivalry thrown in, are more likely to take each other on. There's much less of the "park the bus and avoid a smashing" mentality that you get at the WC when a minnow takes on a big side.

 

This is the 3rd Asian Cup I've watched since 2000, and I've enjoyed them all immensely.

 

 

One could also say the important lesson for NZ Football is that you've got to keep moving forward.

 

18 mohths ago in World Cup qualifying, North Korea were 4th, Bahrain 5th, and Saudi 6th. Now they can't get to the quarterfinals in the Asian Cup. Of those, Nth Korea and especially Bahrain, can point to tough draws, with both facing two other teams who were in the last 10 of WC qualifying.

 

From outside that Top 10, Jordan and Iraq have made the quarterfinals.

 

I thought Qatar's goal was ok(not offside), but not sure how Harper can slate the Japanese keeper for it. Sure he's beaten at the near post, but the shot went through a defender's legs FFS. Poor defending yes, but the keeping was as good as could be expected.

 

At the other end, Harper missed even hinting at a possible penalty, just after 1-1. Okazaki lobbed the keeper again, and the replay clearly showed contact between the keeper and Okazaki as he chased his touch.

 

Absolute f***ing shocker of a decision.

 

I had visions of Sth Korea v Italy when that 2nd yellow was handed out. Some of the decisions in injury time (one corner in particular) just reinforced that.

 

Just watched the build-up to the Uzbek-Jordan game. "The result flattered Japan" How exactly does a 1-goal comeback victory with 10 men flatter you? Twat. 

 

Scrappier second half, but at 2-2, I thought Qatar had it. Between 80 and 88 minutes it was one-way traffic for Qatar. Well done Japan for fighting on and getting a well-deserved victory, but also to Qatar for really giving them a match.

 

BTW, the TV is still saying Japan will meet Korea or Iran in the semi.

 

EDIT -  Had to agree with the commnetators on Qatar's 2nd goal, abysmal keeping by Kawashima.

Also, could we describe this win as "quality over quantity'?

 

Good first half. Uzbek dominating possession,  but Jordan doing very well to stop them doing much with it. Jordan also look decent with the ball. Both teams have had two excellent chances in front of goal, with the keepers saving 3 of those brilliantly.

 

Still anyone's game.

 

 

Thanks, they've changed it. Before it said QF 1 V QF3, QF 2 v QF 4. with no numbers 1-4 I just assumed it was the order they were played. Now it's much clearer.

 

In that case, I repeat what I said the other day. On paper at least, with Iran, Korea and Japan in one half of the draw, the Aussies have a really good shot at the title here.

 

 

Two goals in the first 5 minutes on the 2nd half looked to have won the match for the Uzbeks, but Jordan's pulled one back on the hour. The last 30 minutes was pretty entertaining as both teams created chances as the searched for the crucial next goal.

 

 

Stevo, you'll love this then

 

Last night's Qatar v Japan was 19,000 something. According to the commentators, 'about 2-3000 from a sellout'.

 

The host nation vs the best team in the tournament and you can't sell it out? I see the "Qataris get in free" signs going up for 2022 now. 

 

 

 

If the Aussies get past Iraq, a semi vs Uzbekistan will be intriguing. The Uzbeks are big enough to cope physically with Australia, and will have the pace and technical ability to cause them real problems. I'd back Uzbekistan to narrowly win that match-up.

 

 

**As long as Korea play their current style, not that sh*t they served up under Verbeek in 2007.

 

*Thx Buffy.