AFC Asian Cup 2019 Semi Final: Iran - Japan; Info, Updates & Live Reports (28.01.19)

[diz]

I don’t give a sashimi what Japan is or isn’t doing with their squad, AC prep, WC prep, or anything else. As long as we win, and take home the trophy, glory, and prize money. Japan can prepare for the WC till the cows come home.

[milad_b]

pff russia and paraguay made it to the quarter finals of the world cup without any kind of strategical plans or whatever.

Are you kidding me?? russia had 5 years to prepare for this ! and they did prepare for it really well.

Paraguay , I don't have any details regarding paraguay. if you have any please share with us.

[Salar]

My line up : Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Pouraliganji, Kanani, Milmo, Hajisafi, Ebrahimi, Dejagah, Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, Sardar
Score: 2-0 (Azmoun with both)

I will be at the match, will post pics.

[Iran_19]

I did a quick math and Iran's starting age average against China was 26.7 and Japan's vs Vietnam was 25.7.

So our starting squad is not really old, what made our squad the oldest in this competition is players such as Masoud(34) and Montazeri(35), who are almost not getting any action.

Plus considering from even the main starting line-up, players such as Amiri, Ebrahimi won't be around for the next WC and are replaceable, my only concern is to replace Ashkan, we still don't have anyone as good as him as CAM. Not really convinced with Ghoddos in this position though.

[beri486]

I don't care if JAP brought their U12 team to the Asian Cup.

The team they have here is supposed to represent Japan's National Team.

And Iran will make them and their fans cry at the end.

They can whine about not having their best team but that's their problem.

[TM4LIFE]

How hard is it for you to accept the fact that they are using this tournament to prepare their young squad (as you mentioned) for bigger tournaments in future. Also keep in midn that im not the only one saying it all experts are saying it.
They also don't have their "most expensive asian player" due to injury". This team , same squad will be one of the top team in WC 22 . mark my word.


Also read what the JFF has said here : https://www.varzesh3.com/news/158702...A9%D9%86%D8%AF

If you need translating let me know!

Kudos to this federation . Afarin vaghean hal kardam. JFF Possibly the most professional federation in the world.

I read the article. I think we are drawing two different points out of the same information. I don't think that them using a reformation squad means that they don't care about the Asian Cup, it just means that it is a phase they have to go through and it's the best tournament to start.

Let me put it this way. People are saying that if we weren't desperate for AC title, we would've done the same. But have a look at our squad and look at the average ages. Most of our guys are in their early 20's. The exceptions being Dejagah, Hajsafi, and Ebrahimi who are likely making their last hoorah. Even then they are getting disproportionate playing time because Ezatollahi is injured. The 11 players we are fielding will be in their absolute prime for the next WC. Really don't see any changes we would've made if we too were trying to 'reform.'

Japan has to do this now. It's the only reasonable move. If they don't do it now, then it will be too late to start in 2 years time or so and the new generation won't be have enough high-pressure exposure. It's not because they don't care about the asian cup; i think the competition level is high enough that Japan doesn't have the right to say they are a class above it all.

On the note of them being top team in WC22, i think that's a separate discussion; it will be a long time before they progress from consistent R16 team to consistent semifinal contending team (a lot of factors are necessary for this). But yes I also envy their federation; doing great things for their football.

[beri486]

The players are in their explosive mode folks.

CQ has them ready to kill.


انصاری*فرد: مقابل ژاپن ۱۰۰ برابر بازی*های قبل می شویم/ دوست دارم دایی را در ورزشگاه ببینم

مهاجم تیم ملی فوتبال ایران گفت: من این قول را می*دهم تا الان هر چیزی که از تیم ملی دیده*اید، در بازی با ژاپن ۱۰۰ برابر آن را خواهید دید

[Golefarsi]

Japan was lucky to procced out of the group stage in the World Cup 2018. They got 4 points, exactly like we did. Yes the game against Belgium was the only game they played well but still they lost.. To aim semifinal for the world cup 2022, they must be dreaming. Iran should say we aim to reach final in worldcup 2022 I dont belive in this talk that they dont take the Asian cup so seriously. They would like to win it if they can. We will see on Monday how seriously they take it

[Ali Doust]

Japan was lucky to procced out of the group stage in the World Cup 2018. They got 4 points, exactly like we did. Yes the game against Belgium was the only game they played well but still they lost.. To aim semifinal for the world cup 2022, they must be dreaming. Iran should say we aim to reach final in worldcup 2022 I dont belive in this talk that they dont take the Asian cup so seriously. They would like to win it if they can. We will see on Monday how seriously they take it

If China is aiming to win the 2050 World Cup, then Japan can aim to be in the Semi finals of the 2022.

[Iran_19]

Japan was lucky to procced out of the group stage in the World Cup 2018. They got 4 points, exactly like we did. Yes the game against Belgium was the only game they played well but still they lost.. To aim semifinal for the world cup 2022, they must be dreaming. Iran should say we aim to reach final in worldcup 2022 I dont belive in this talk that they dont take the Asian cup so seriously. They would like to win it if they can. We will see on Monday how seriously they take it

Nothing wrong to set the bar high, and actually work for to get there. They are targeting semi so they could at least get to QF! I am not saying it will happen but they have over 20 something legionnaires and mostly in top leagues.

[beri486]

Japan was lucky to procced out of the group stage in the World Cup 2018. They got 4 points, exactly like we did. Yes the game against Belgium was the only game they played well but still they lost.. To aim semifinal for the world cup 2022, they must be dreaming. Iran should say we aim to reach final in worldcup 2022 I dont belive in this talk that they dont take the Asian cup so seriously. They would like to win it if they can. We will see on Monday how seriously they take it

And they played the most shameful 10 minutes in their final group match even worse than
the grass rolling of BAH, QAT, KSA. etc....

They were losing 1-0 to POL but kept playing in their own half of the filed without any
pressure from Polish players.

They got lucky since they had less yellow cards than SEN and were playing like cowards
to advance.

Watch the last 10 minutes here.

[persiangodfather]

Japan is the favourite to win. We are the under dogs

[shahabGAOL]

We will WIN and sent home JAPAN. If I was Carlos Qurioz i would defend with 11 against Japan and play only on counter attack

[Kiarash]

Can this thread be a sticky please?

[Leicester City]

Can this thread be a sticky please?

Thank you Kiarash jan for the creation of this thread!