Best Asian team in the world cup 2018

[Adesor Vafaseya]

But Japan plays football which is beautifull to watch and easy on the eye so this gives them a big edge.

Japan is only able to play "beautiful" vs their group opponents. Against Portugal and Spain, we wont see much of their display.
Everything is comparative. Last WC they were in a very easy group with Columbia, Ivory Coast, and Greece and they did nothing at all, last in their group. This year they were in an easier group too. I call them lucky, very lucky.

[Leicester City]

Iran definitely. WE CAN BEAT ANY TEAM IN ASIA ESPECIALLY JAPAN.

And if Japan make it out of this group, it's because they were in a easy group against weaker Colombia and Poland. (Ok Colombia isn't, weak but they were lucky w/ red card)

Iran could have made it out, but we had to be robbed with a referee who doesn't know anything! They don't give card for Ronaldo for a handball or a Red for punching a player 2 times? Plus we missed a lot of chances and I blame the players clubs for that.

[Farhad21]

iran is the best team in asia and africa combined

[Mr. Peyman]

Quite honestly I feel Japan, Australia, South Korea and even Saudi have better quality than us. Now here me out. I think there are two perspectives we are confusing ourselves with. One is quality or beauty of play, while the other is results.

Iran is a result based squad and I think on any given day they can beat the teams mentioned above. But Iran plays a very un-orthodox style of play, ugly at times which seems to work for them quite well. However quality wise they lack. Iran can barely string together a handful of consecutive passes, they don't value ball possession, their players are lacking when it comes to "one touch" sequences. How many times did we see the defenders pass the ball to themselves a few times then launch the ball to the other side of the field aimlessly, hoping Sardar or somebody will by chance get the ball.

We say if Taremi only scored that goal, or if Ansarifard's shot vs Spain didn't hit the side netting etc... but those little differences and close calls are a result of differences in quality. And there is no shame in it. Our guys played well and we have made a name for ourselves. But hopefully we can raise the standards and develop the quality where we can one day score goals like Quaresma did on us.

But we can't lower the bar again once we get back to playing the "stan" countries in Asia. And if there is a new coach around the corner, his name better not start with an Ali, Amir, Hasan, Hossein etc...BTW build the statue for CQ outside the stadium already.

[Azeem98]

Japan is only able to play "beautiful" vs their group opponents. Against Portugal and Spain, we wont see much of their display.
Everything is comparative. Last WC they were in a very easy group with Columbia, Ivory Coast, and Greece and they did nothing at all, last in their group. This year they were in an easier group too. I call them lucky, very lucky.

Yeah thats why i put them below Australia

[Sam van Dam]

obviously ira.n we were in the group of death. we tied the european champs, should have tied spain, and beat the best team in africa. we were literally inches away from top our group. there were 3 non calls in our box which didn't go to VAR, which shows you who FIFA wanted to advance

japan played a 10 man colombia for 87 minutes and won 2-1. the fact that colombia scored with a man down while only conceded two shows you their quality. japan also tied senegal '

australia was poor

south korea is just terrible

saudi arabia is a disgrace

[TM4LIFE]

Japan obviously has the best shot of making it out of the group stage, but you have to admit that luck was on their side.

Colombia decided to shoot themselves in the foot from the first minute and literally gift Japan a red card + penalty. That meant that they had to cover double ground the entire game and ultimately they looked totally gassed by minute 60. Still they controlled the tempo of the game but as expected weren’t able to fill in the gaps of their defense as effectively, or likewise put together as capable an offense.

Poland were incredibly impressive in qualifiers but their squad seemingly self destructed shortly before the World Cup and had become drama central, with different factions within the squad forming and tension between Lewandowski and a handful of others. Not to mention Gilik getting hurt right before the WC. They have looked absolutely horrible and completely unmotivated. Japan should easily be able to snatch a few points from them.

Senegal however have looked extremely impressive this year. They are skillful, coordinated, and are operating under quality tactics. Japan getting a point from them was a very entertaining affair and no small feat, so all credit to them.

Overall though, I would say Iran performed better given the circumstances but Japan is poised to get the better result aka progression.

[ehsan singapore]

japan is good, but lets be honest argentina went through with 4 points, and our group was hard

[DR Strangemoosh]

I think both japan and iran have done asia proud with japan playing nicer offensive football and us playing a world class defensive system.

Objectively speaking, it would be good for asian football if japan becomes the only team from the whole of asia/africa to go through

[Babak agha]

Obviously if Japan manages to advance then they would be the best Asian team in the World Cup. If they end up with the same amount of points as us, then we would be best as we had a harder group.

[Babak agha]

I think both japan and iran have done asia proud with japan playing nicer offensive football and us playing a world class defensive system.

Objectively speaking, it would be good for asian football if japan becomes the only team from the whole of asia/africa to go through

If no Asian team advances to the KO rounds, there would be no reason for FIFA to grant Asia more spots than Africa (not that they should).

[Spyder]

Watching Iran play is torture. Its all defense. I mean its very tactical and the players are very dedicated etc but we roll on the grass a lot...play dirty etc. If thats what it takes to win then fine.

Personally I love watching the current Japanese team play...the Aussie teams of the past were good also and I dont know why but I enjoyed watching Jordan and Iraq play as well. Absolutely no structure...just all out attack in every which way.

[siz]

My analysis atm:
Australia played well against France, unlucky to lose, deserved a a tie. Played well against Denmark after going down 1, but never really had any quality when attacking + Denmark is playing quite shite atm, got tie because of penalty. They lost deservedly 2-0 to Peru.

Japan played against 10 man Columbia and during the first half they were really shaky, couldn't complete many passes and they conceded a goal. 2nd half they played better, but against a 11-man Columbia they would have been raped. Against Senegal both teams had a lot of troubling getting their style of play to flow, many, many stupid mistakes leading to goals. They however still have a good playing Honda, Kagawa has been weak.

South Korea has only Son.

Saudi Arabia, well other than shit defense, offense and goalkeeper, they are good at building up play but no quality to execute ideas.

Ranking atm:
Iran
Japan
Australia
South Korea
Saudi Arabia

[Spyder]

If no Asian team advances to the KO rounds, there would be no reason for FIFA to grant Asia more spots than Africa (not that they should).

Asia already has too many spots!! It should be 3 spots...maybe 3.5 right now.

[HuSsAiN]

Watching Iran play is torture. Its all defense. I mean its very tactical and the players are very dedicated etc but we roll on the grass a lot...play dirty etc. If thats what it takes to win then fine.

Personally I love watching the current Japanese team play...the Aussie teams of the past were good also and I dont know why but I enjoyed watching Jordan and Iraq play as well. Absolutely no structure...just all out attack in every which way.

Did you just say you enjoyed watching Iraq and Jordan play?