Asian WCQ Final Round Draw: Where to watch, updates, post draw discussion

[PSGman#19]

We just have to focus and play each game as final, like what we did in june

[CHaMiLLionaire]

An almost perfect draw.

Sure, we prefer AUS to SK (but the quality/competitiveness doesn't change there).

I would've probably preferred China to Iraq (I think China is weaker than Iraq and matches up better) but there are no excuses for TM.

Mayelikohan should be able to qualify from this group w this team.

[sarbaz]

This is definitely the easier of the 2 groups and Iran should finish first.

[Ari]

With CQ i would have said: Easy!
With DS: I don't know, but most probably easy.

[Iran_19]

That is why the FIFA ranking is important, it served us well in last 8 years.

[kian_khosh]

That is why the FIFA ranking is important, it served us well in last 8 years.

and also why we NEED to implement more friendly matches against better quality teams

[Futbaldoost]

Good draw. Here are the AFC match schedules. Less travel time is a huge advantage. None of this is easy. If we are not careful, even Syria and Lebanon could prove troublesome. Remember we lost to Lebanon in Beirut in the 2014 WCQ and tied with Syria twice in 2018 WCQ including a 2-2 in Tehran. We need to plan with super urgency and get friendlies going. I would start with Oman and then Jordan and Uzbekistan. A friendly with Japan is also a must. There is of course a chance that the schedule below will change and will be centralized specially with the new Delta COVID-19 variant creating havoc all over now. We shall see.

Go TM!

https://www.the-afc.com/documents/af...qatar-fixtures

1st Leg
September 2: Iran vs Syria
September 7: Iraq vs Iran
October 7: UAE vs Iran
October 12: Iran vs South Korea
November 11: Lebanon vs Iran

2nd Leg
November 16: Syria vs Iran
January 27: Iran vs Iraq
Feb 1: Iran vs UAE
March 24: South Korea vs Iran
March 29: Iran vs Lebanon

[Ghermez Agha]

There is no question we got the easier group by far IMO - it would be really tough to be grouped with Saudi and Australia whereas in our group there is a big gap in level between SK and the rest of the teams.

That said, we know arab teams never make it easy and especially Iraq. Now more than ever, every game needs to be treated like a final and a fast and strong start is needed to make this a smooth process. We had one WCQ campaign where things went smoothly for us and that is the 2018 WCQ final round. Hopefully we can replicate that esp since UAE has one of their weaker teams in a while and there is just a big gap between us and Lebanon and Syria.

We play Syria September 2nd followed by Iraq on September 7th. Pretty ideal start IMO I’m glad we get iraq out early on and get to play them before playing SK the next month.

One thing that worries me is what son heung min will do with all those defensive and midfield holes we have. He will absolutely abuse kanani if he is marking him Skocic can cost us a WC if he doesn’t get his head on straight and play PAG in such crucial matches.

[Iran_19]

Skocic in his recent interview with Misaghi mentioned, he feels really bad for Majid and wished he could have played him more, as he was a true pro, and didn't say a word when he was benched. I think at some stage all 4 D will get their chance because they are more or less at the same level. Personally I prefer PAG-Shoja Duo, but i am ok with all.

[Dortmund]

Hope we can bump up our rating during qualification and get pot 3 again if we qualify

[Karimi 8]

Four Arab teams and South Korea, fair to say every game will be mentally intense. But as long as we play our game, like we did these last four games, we can beat all these teams. We just have to stay mentally strong

[Philosophy_King]

Many overestimate South Korea, based on one Star-Player they have. I have a feeling that they won't qualify as the first or second placed Team this time. Let's see.

[Butaloh]

With some reasonably neutral expectation…

SK Home-D, Away-D
UAE Home-W, Away-D
Iraq Home-W, Away-D
Syr Home-W, Away-W
Leb Home-W, Away-W

22 pts and through

[naderb94]

Both groups were balanced fairly imo.. I think we certainly got the easier group.
When the draw started, I was thinking Group B was going to be easier until I saw KSA in there..
Here's some takes from our group.

1. We avoid KSA - That's a major win.. They're a pot 3 team that's arguably on par with Pot 2 teams and have AFC's backing on everything.
2. With the exception of Korea, the travel times are going to be short since we're playing Arab countries. This is going to be huge. The difference between a simple 2 hour flight compared to 5/6 hour flight is major huge.
3. Iraq is going to be the difference maker in this group. If we can manage 6 points against them, I'll feel confident coming out the group.
4. We do have to be prepared for some shenanigans from the Arab countries like always but it works to our advantage that Iraq/Syria won't have any legitimate home games.
5. As much as I think Korea is easier than Australia, it would've been nice for a change. Overall, can't really complain with this group.

[OFFSIDE_1]

Iraq to Syria to Lebanon...the Shia crescent lmao.

IR better cash in on its decades long investment

Yeah, and unfortunately when was the last time any three of those teams ever gave us good accommodations when playing in their country. In fact it was worse, so I would say all in all, negative ROI.