other 2010 Asian WC qualifiers, matchday 3

[markattack]

GROUP A
Qatar vs. China @ Doha

a crucial match!
if China wins they go top of Group A with 5 points, or equal top with us if we draw against Iraq
if Qatar wins, they go top with 6 points if we lose or draw with Iraq

I think Qatar have the upper hand, they defeated Iraq, they have home advantage and it WILL be hot in Doha

if we win, regardless, we remain top of Group A with 7 points, so we MUST win the Iraq game

GROUP B
Japan vs. Oman @ Yokohama
Thailand vs. Bahrain @ Bangkok

if Japan loses, they're fucked!
Thailand needs a win to stay in it

GROUP C
South Korea vs. Jordan @ Seoul
Turkmenistan vs. North Korea @ Ashgabat

should be easy wins to the two Korean teams

GROUP D
Singapore vs. Uzbekistan @ Singapore
Saudi Arabia vs. Lebanon @ Riyadh

should be an easy win to Uzbekistan and they will be well on top with 9 points
Saudi Arabia needs a win or draw to stay in it

and of note, for some reason, Lebanon will play their home leg 5 days later against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh again

GROUP E
Syria vs. Kuwait @ Damascus
Iran vs. UAE @ Tehran

the least interesting of the five groups IMO
Iran will go top if they win

[richieole]

South Korea vs. Jordan is on now
0-0 15 mins in, Korea look the better team so far, they are actually looking like they will score, Jordan don't have enough in their attack.

[Surfside]

To say Japan would be fucked is a little bit of an overstatement, and it is quite natural that Lebanon would play in Riyadh twice, cos they ain't gonna play it in Beirut

[3_Libras]

Korea 2-2 Jordan

Lead 2-0 up until the 75th, then conceded and conceded in the 90th. For shame

[El Zilcho]

North Korea can go ahead of the South if they win against Turkmenistan. Sounds like a good reason for a tightly choreographed military parade.

[NUFCMVFC]

South Korea seem to be going through a slightly rough patch


Jordan late show stuns Koreans (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_166920228.html)

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/korea%20fans_stunned_primary.jpg
Korea Republic fans were left stunned as Jordan came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in Seoul. (AFP)

SEOUL – Substitute Hasan Abdel Fatah scored twice as Jordan came from two goals down to hold Korea Republic to a 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday.

The Koreans appeared to be coasting to victory in the Group Three match as Park Ji-sung opened the scoring in the 39th minute and Park Chu-young added a second from the penalty spot early in the second half.

But Abdel Fatah changed the course of the game, reducing the deficit in the 73rd minute before firing home his second ten minutes from time to give the Jordanians a share of the points.

Despite the draw, the Koreans went a point clear at the top of the group although arch-rivals DPR Korea could move ahead with victory against Turkmenistan in Ashgabat on Monday.

The hosts took the game to their opponents in the opening half with Park Chu-young squandering an early free-kick and a long ball by skipper Kim Nam-il just failing to pick out Lee Chung-yong as he charged in on goal.

As half-time approached, Park Chu-young swung in a corner from the right which was headed back at the far post by Kim Nam-il towards Lee, who directed the ball towards the six yard-box where Park poked a shot over the head of Amer Deeb into the roof of the net.

The Koreans extended their advantage three minutes into the second half when Cho Won-hee’s surging run through the Jordanian defence was brought to an unceremonious end by Hatem Aqel.

Although the initial contact appeared to be outside the box, Australian referee Mark Shield pointed to the spot and Park Chu-young converted despite the ball brushing off the leg of goalkeeper Lo’ai Elamaireh.

The Koreans could have extended their advantage in the 56th minute when Park Ji-sung’s centre was just too far ahead of the charging Park Chu-young while substitute Kim Do-heon squandered a glorious opportunity, putting a free header over the crossbar in the 69th minute.

The Koreans would rue those misses as Abdel Fatah, on as a second-half substitute for Mohammed Al Mutasim, got his side back into the match with 17 minutes left.

He stretched to meet a cross from the right in the six-yard box but his initial attempt was well saved by goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae.

Abdel Fatah’s follow up was also blocked but at the third attempt, he rolled the ball in at the far post.

The substitute then capitalised on slack Korean defending in the 80th minute, running in to acres of space between Lee Young-pyo and Oh Beom-seok to gather in a pass by Mohammad Khamees before firing past Kim Yong-dae from the edge of the Korean box.

[NUFCMVFC]

Huh rues late collapse (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_166920229.html)

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/korea%20republic_huh%20jung%20moo_unhappy_primary. jpg
Korea Republic coach Huh Jung-moo was left disappointed as his side threw away a two-goal lead against Jordan. (AFP)

SEOUL – A shell-shocked Huh Jung-moo was left to rue a late collapse by his team as Korea Republic threw away a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Jordan in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Goals by Park Ji-sung and Park Chu-young either side of half-time put the hosts in control at Seoul World Cup Stadium against a Jordan side that created little until the final 20 minutes.

But substitute Hasan Abdel Fatah scored twice in the space of seven minutes to earn a point for the visitors.

The point kept Korea Republic on top of Group Three although DPR Korea can take pole position with a win in Turkmenistan on Monday.

“We played well for the most part and the players gave everything,” said Korea Republic coach Huh after the match. “But we didn’t take the three points and so I can’t be happy.

“I can’t understand it. We made mistakes too easily. After we scored the second goal, we didn’t score another and our concentration slipped.

“We have another game next week and need to focus on that,” added Huh, looking ahead to next Saturday’s return match in Amman.

Defender Lee Young-pyo was also left scratching his head.

“We controlled the game and had all of the ball,” Lee said.

“We were playing well but they had two chances and scored.

“We gave the goals away too easily but we are more than capable of winning next week.”

Meanwhile, Jordan coach Nelo Vingada was beaming after seeing his side rescue an unlikely point.

“I am very happy with this result,” said the Portuguese tactician.

“After we conceded two goals, I didn’t know if we would be able to score twice as I know that Korea Republic is a stronger team than us and has a good professional league and overseas players.

“After we let in two goals, I didn’t think that we would be able to score but if you don’t make any more mistakes then you are still able to have a good game.

“Now we have to get ready for the game at home. We are not able to play at the same level as Korea but as it is a home game, we want to play well.”

...

[NUFCMVFC]

Generally speaking Tables and schedules can be found here
http://www.the-afc.com/eng/competitions/fixtures/index.jsp_WC-2007-464.html

Some lead up stories going into other matches


Guarded Okada giving nothing away (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_167018515.html)

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/takeshi%20okada_japan%20coach_kirin%20cup_primary. jpg
Takeshi Okada is keeping his tactical cards close to his chest, with Japan training sessions held behind closed doors. (AFP)

YOKOHAMA – Japan coach Takeshi Okada has thrown a veil of secrecy over his team’s preparations for Monday’s World Cup qualifier against Oman at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.

Needing a win to revive his team’s Group Two campaign after a lacklustre 1-0 loss in Bahrain in March, Okada has held closed-door training sessions this week and prevented his players from speaking about what has been going on during the sessions.

Japan are tied with the Omanis on three points, three behind group leaders Bahrainis after two matches.

With only the top two advancing to the final round of the qualifiers, Okada knows that a victory in the first of two meetings against Oman in six days is imperative.

“I may hold close door sessions for the rest of my life,” said the 51-year-old coach jokingly to reporters on Friday, before closing off the following day’s session as well.

Oman arrived in Japan on Thursday well prepared after playing five international friendlies over the last four weeks, beating Liberia (1-0), Kyrgyzstan (2-0) and Turkmenistan (2-1), drawing with Yemen (0-0) and losing to Syria (2-1).

They had been training in Korea since May 21 to acclimatise to the weather and time difference, playing several matches against local sides.

“I know Oman are well prepared after playing several training matches,” said Okada.

“I’ll decide on our tactical options against them, based on the information gathered from those games.”

Japan claimed the Kirin Cup last week after 1-0 win over Ivory Coast and 0-0 draw with Paraguay but are still seeking the right combination for their crucial World Cup qualifying matches in June.

Striker Naohiro Takahara is off-form and has returned to his club, Urawa Reds, while his potential replacement, Yoshito Okubo, is recovering from a bad cold.

The Japan are expected to form their attack around Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura, who will be joined in midfield by Daisuke Matsui and Yasuhito Endo.

“Japan have great variation with their tactics. Their coach knows football well and their players are of a good standard. I think they are a good team,” said Oman coach Julio Cesar Ribas.

“I know Nakamura is a very fantastic player. He has good skills with possession and free-kicks,” the Uruguayan coach added.

“It’s going to be a very tough game but we’ll be highly motivated.”

Ribas is missing several players with midfielders Ahmed Mubarak and Talal Khalfan and defender Khalifa Ayil suspended while captain Mohamed Rabia, Juma Darwish and Mohamed Al Shiba did not travel to Japan due to injury.



Kwid confident of Syrian success (http://www.the-afc.com/eng/articles/viewArticle.jsp_167018517.html)

http://images.the-afc.com/images/common/articleimage/primary/syria_fans%20v%20uae_primary.jpg
Mohammed Kwid knows his side will have the backing of the passionate fans when Syria host Kuwait. (AFP)

DAMASCUS – Syria coach Mohammed Kwid is determined to steer his team to victory in his first competitive match in charge when they host Kuwait in a Group Five encounter at Al Abbassiyin Stadium on Monday.

Kwid, who was appointed as national coach in April, has already overseen 2-1 victories over Oman and Iraq and a 1-0 loss to Saudi Arabia in warm-up friendlies.

The 51-year-old is now hoping that he can translate the success that he has enjoyed with Syrian league champions Al Karama in the AFC Champions League to the international stage as Syria eye their first win in the group after consecutive draws in the first two games.

“The group that we have in the World Cup qualifiers is one of the toughest groups and we must win our match against Kuwait because we want to advance to the final round,” said Kwid.

“I’ve followed Kuwait’s games recently and I have a good idea about their team as we have studied their style in recent matches

“They are a good team and they have good attack. They made a good comeback against Iran, recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2, which shows their determination and their potential.

“But we will enter the game with an attacking plan as we must get the three points in order to remain in contention.”

Kwid will be hoping that striker Firas Al Khatib will be able to recover from a recent injury but midfielder Feras Ismail is likely to miss the game after picking up an injury while playing for Al Karama.

Kuwait’s Croatian coach Rodion Gacanin will miss the services of defender Mesaed Nada game who is suspended after being sent off against Iran while Ibrahim Shehab is also out after receiving two yellow cards.

Gacanin has dropped striker Bader Al Mutawa for missing recent training sessions and called up his strike partner at Al Qadisiya, Khalaf Al Salama, to take his spot.

The Kuwaitis are in last place in the group with only one point and warmed up for June’s World Cup qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Qatar and a 2-1 defeat to of Saudi Arabia.

“This a tough challenge as we will play against Syria at their home and in front of their fans,” said Gacanin.

“But we have followed their recent matches and I have an idea about the good level of their team.”

[3_Libras]

Uzbeks 7 - Indo 3

[~LUFC~]

think u mean sgp... anyway, i had money on the uzbeks and iran so im anoyed...

[3_Libras]

Yep Singapore.

But more importantly....no one cares China drew 0-0 with Qatar. We're home

[~LUFC~]

is this right:
aus-7
qat-4
chi-3
iraq-1
??
if so i would say we're far from assured.. the two away games will be very tricky and i would say we need about 4 more points... all in all though a win over qatar or china would most likely see us through, but if we lose to qatar away (quite possible with the heat, our history of performnces in these conditions) and dont beat iraq, lets say put a draw for hypothetical sakes, we could have;
aus-8
qatar-(draw with china, beat us) -8
china-(draw with qatar, beat iraq)-7
iraq-2.
of course there are a lot of different scenario's in there, but it could well come down to our match with china... i really hope we can get a couple of results away this time!