AFC U23 Championship : Qatar 2016

[Bi-honar]

Half-time report:

Iraq 2 - Uzbekistan 1

The Uzbeks took the lead, but Iraq tied and then went ahead. Pretty even match with Iraq having a slight edge IMHO and definitely looking more hungry - although that may have been because they were a goal done for most of the half.

Tough to call the 2nd half, although I think it will be VERY difficult for Uzbekistan to come back and win the match - tie maybe.


Saudi Arabia 1 - North Korea 1

The Saudis had a Khakpour moment when N. Korea beat their offside trap and scored against the run of play, I think it was their 1st shot on target. The Saudis had more than 60% possession up until that point.

They kept the pressure on and missed a double-empty-netter with Kanno from 6 yards out. But Kanno scored off a header a few minutes later to make up for it. Overall, I think the Saudis have the edge in this match and will win unless they have fitness issues late in the match.

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I think we face either of these two teams or Thailand (with the small chances they have to advance at this point), we will definitely kick their a$$e$.

[Malavani]

really difficult to cheer for the N Koreans even though their opponent is Saudi Arabia. bunch of overaged cheaters along with Iraqis

[shahramii]

YE SOAL

what happens if syria wins against qatar and Iran wins against china ?? Ki mire bala

[Z Joon]

really difficult to cheer for the N Koreans even though their opponent is Saudi Arabia. bunch of overaged cheaters along with Iraqis

All arabs cheat in these competitions basically. This is why you'll see that they have more success in youth tournaments than in actual senior ones while a lot of their players retire at 30-32 years old

[Z Joon]

Uzbeks equalize, Iraq 2 - 2 Uzbekistan

Edit: 3-2 for Iraq, Humam Tariq scores. Now listen to this: this dude is "19" and has 31 caps for Iraq's senior team Forever young

[Bessos]

YE SOAL

what happens if syria wins against qatar and Iran wins against china ?? Ki mire bala

I think if Syria beats Qatar 2 - 0, while Iran beats China, then Qatar is OUT.

Syria and Iran will advance instead.

[PersianLegion]

3-2 for aroghis

[Bi-honar]

YE SOAL

what happens if syria wins against qatar and Iran wins against china ?? Ki mire bala

http://www.persianfootball.com/forum...=1#post2352453

[Z Joon]

In 5 Years the Iraq U23 will still be the same players and all of them will have 50 senior NT caps

[Bessos]

Let's put it this way guys... Japan will almost certainly have a choice of who'd they want to play in the quarters.

Since Group B matches are a day after ours, they will know who has finished 1st and 2nd in our group.

So, the million dollar question if the Saudis beat North Korea today and we finish 2nd in the group:

Are Japan really going to kill themselves to beat or tie Saudi Arabia to play us, instead of resting their players against the Saudis and losing that match to have an easier game against Qatar?!

If I were Japan's coach, I'd take a match with a fresh squad against Qatar in the quarters over a match with a tired squad against Iran any day of the week.

Really? I think the Japanese would rather take their chances against this Iran with a shaky coach, rather than Qatar who is playing at home.

I'm not sure if Saudi Arabia and Japan really care whether they face Qatar or Iran.

But who would you rather face? KSA or Japan?

[Malavani]

All arabs cheat in these competitions basically. This is why you'll see that they have more success in youth tournaments than in actual senior ones while a lot of their players retire at 30-32 years old

yeah I'm not so sure about saudis qataris and emiratis though.. of course I'm talking about current teams

[Bessos]

North Korea and Saudi Arabia are tied at 3 - 3

'min 89


Saudi also tied their previous match against Thailand...


If Saudi fails to beat Japan in the 3rd match, they won't advance most likely...

[Bessos]

FT Saudi 3 - 3 N Korea

FT Iraq 3 - 2 Uzbekistan

Saudi Arabia has tied both its matches so far.... chances are not very high for them to advance.

[Leopard]

now saudis need a miracle by their satan to beat japan and qualify for next round. Nk and Thailand will hopefully not tie. This Nk coach with malnutritioned and poor players did better than Khakpour.

[Bi-honar]

CONFIRMED Group B

Japan finish 1st in the group and will face 2nd placed team of our group.

Race for 2nd place in Group B wide open, but considering the Saudis will have their toughest match (albeit against a Japan reserve team), I will peg North Korea with the highest chances.


CONFIRMED GROUP C

South Korea and Iraq join Japan in the quarterfinals.


MAJOR CONTROVERSY

Iraq advance to the next round of a major tournament with clear and blatant help from the officiating team for the 2nd time in a YEAR!!!

I have NEVER in my whole life seen such an obvious (15 feet) offside not being called (3rd goal) - unbelievable!