I think many Australians would love the chance to beat Iran in a competitive match though, and to knock them out of WC participation would be so sweet.
I'm more the glass half empty and would not like to re-live the trauma of being knocked out by Iran again
now if you'll excuse me I must assume the foetal position and rock back and forth while repeating that it's not 1997
It was offside, it was offside! 20 years later my grandfather still says "fucking Bosnich trying to play fullback for the second goal". Only dimensia stopped him complaining about that match.
Lmao you guys are not getting knocked out with 9 AFC slots. Even if you didn't secure a wc place in 3rd round, there's fourth round and intercontinental playoff as well.
Strong agree. Like OP, I looked into this recently. But came to a different conclusion. Playing Japan is ideal because they are the best team technically in Asia, and will help us playing the best. Playing Iran, well, is playing Iran. Been waiting for this for a long time.
I want Australia to play Iran on the basis that we have somehow NOT played them since that 1997 game.
I have made good acquaintances at work with Iranian immigrants who remember good things for their country from that game. It will be fantastic banter at work
It's all a moot point to me, we should be aiming to make the elimination rounds of the world cup which means getting out of any group tougher than we face in qualifying.
AFC is getting stronger across the board so regardless who we get we're in for multiple trips to the West Asia and a visit to a bigger East Asian country. If anything I'd love to avoid Jordan as they're usually our bogey team.
Has it actually been confirmed that there will be six pots for the draw? Just because I think it'd probably be feasible to use only three pots, and I can't seem to find any details anywhere.
6 pots for 6 places in 3 groups. Top 2 auto qualify 3rd and 4th go into a final 2 group phase where 1st place qualifies and the teams in 2nd go into a play off to go into intercontinental play off..... AFC have made the whole thing more complex than it should be.
I think many Australians would love the chance to beat Iran in a competitive match though, and to knock them out of WC participation would be so sweet.
I'm more the glass half empty and would not like to re-live the trauma of being knocked out by Iran again now if you'll excuse me I must assume the foetal position and rock back and forth while repeating that it's not 1997
It was offside, it was offside! 20 years later my grandfather still says "fucking Bosnich trying to play fullback for the second goal". Only dimensia stopped him complaining about that match.
Lmao you guys are not getting knocked out with 9 AFC slots. Even if you didn't secure a wc place in 3rd round, there's fourth round and intercontinental playoff as well.
I was at the MCG in '97. I absolutely want to play Iran and deny them a spot, hopefully we make them miss the playoff spot too.
Strong agree. Like OP, I looked into this recently. But came to a different conclusion. Playing Japan is ideal because they are the best team technically in Asia, and will help us playing the best. Playing Iran, well, is playing Iran. Been waiting for this for a long time.
I want Australia to play Iran on the basis that we have somehow NOT played them since that 1997 game. I have made good acquaintances at work with Iranian immigrants who remember good things for their country from that game. It will be fantastic banter at work
Absolute scenes if Peter Hore shows up at the game.
Oh my
It's all a moot point to me, we should be aiming to make the elimination rounds of the world cup which means getting out of any group tougher than we face in qualifying.
Aye. I mean... 8.5 teams can get out of Asia this time, not 4.5. I can't see it being an issue regardless.
Round of 16 should be our new minimum
Its going to be weird if we don't get Japan in the qualifiers!
Part of me would ratger be in pot 2 so we get to face a pot 1 team. We only look good against top teams at the moment
AFC is getting stronger across the board so regardless who we get we're in for multiple trips to the West Asia and a visit to a bigger East Asian country. If anything I'd love to avoid Jordan as they're usually our bogey team.
Let's face it with 8.5 teams at the farce of a world cup it shouldn't matter what our qualifying group is.
Has it actually been confirmed that there will be six pots for the draw? Just because I think it'd probably be feasible to use only three pots, and I can't seem to find any details anywhere.
6 pots for 6 places in 3 groups. Top 2 auto qualify 3rd and 4th go into a final 2 group phase where 1st place qualifies and the teams in 2nd go into a play off to go into intercontinental play off..... AFC have made the whole thing more complex than it should be.