Asian Cup Predictions?

[theleatherwallet]

Hey not sure if any of you are soccer fans. Thought I would give this a try.

Any early picks on who you think will win the Asian Cup?

[eindhow]

Hey not sure if any of you are soccer fans. Thought I would give this a try.

Any early picks on who you think will win the Asian Cup?

South Korea..

But if my country qualifies, then I'll be rooting for the Philippines!:D

[dxjayrock2008]

Blue Samurais/Japan NT.

If only Azkals can qualify for AFC Cup.

[theleatherwallet]

I think Japan will win it, but Iran is probably the only country that has a chance to win the FIFA Asian Cup and the FIBA Asian Championship. 2 for 2 would be really sweet.

[Khalid80]

I think Japan will win it, but Iran is probably the only country that has a chance to win the FIFA Asian Cup and the FIBA Asian Championship. 2 for 2 would be really sweet.

There are quite some good teams.... I still believe that South Korea and Japan are the favorites. Teams like Iran, Australia, Iraq, and even North Korea will be quite competitive as well. Qatar is also the host nation and we don't know who did they naturalize for this tournament as well :D

[b3lowzro]

how many palyers can you naturalize in a team in any fifa competition?

[rocketstar47]

I Hope Philippines will play in the AFC

[Saskibaloia]

I Hope Philippines will play in the AFC

Unfortunately the lads from the beautiful islands did not qualify.

However, I believe that football has a strong future in the Philippines and as they grow within the South East Asian region and gain more confidence then they will be able to compete against the likes of Australia, South Korea, the Middle Eastern countries and the Blue Samari.

A positive sign was that the Philippines drew against Singapore (http://www.espnstar.com/football/news/detail/item541171/Suzuki-Cup:-Singapore-1-1-Philippines/)in the Suzuki Cup a few days ago. Though Singapore isn't in the top of Asian football they are a mid-tier footballing Asian nation and for a basketball fanatical country like the Philippines to pull of a draw it's definitely positive signs for the Filipinos.

Much more, Philippines has just defeated Vietnam 2-0 (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=849441&sec=global&cc=3436). This an excellent result as it shows the Philippines does have the potential. Hopefully, in the future, Philippines can develop even further. Possibly, the Philippines can do some joint ventures with their football crazy neighbours Indonesia.

MABUHAY PILIPINAS!!!

I think the "Socceroos" have a chance of winning the Asian Cup however, it will all depend on whether they can weather the storm and adjust promptly to the conditions in Qatar.

Both Koreans will be strong, of course, since the tournament will be in the Middle East, the Middle Eastern countries will be aiming to perform will for their travelling fans. Japan as usual will be also strong favourites and possibly China could do some damage.

[Buran]

Iran's football is in a bad shape, in my opinion it's a second tier team at the moment with Korea, Japan and Australia being Asia's tier 1 teams. These are the only Asian teams that are consistently good. As much as I would like to see Iran win the title, I seriously doubt this is going to happen (hope they prove me wrong).

[mohsena2631]

history tells me Iran will finish on the 3rd place after eliminating South Korea in Quarterfinal and after a very controversial semifinal against Japan or Saudi Arabia ! :D

in 1996, AFC extended the number of the teams and added a quarterfinal round to the tournament, since then ,we always met South Korea in this round.

1996, Quarterfinal : Iran 6 - South Korea 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT0IjO_rkug)
2000, Quarterfinal : Iran 1 - South Korea 2 (Golden Goal in extra time) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71x1bHuwDqU)
2004, Quarterfinal : Iran 4 - South Korea 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbAPmAssubw)
2007, Quarterfinal : Iran 0 - South Korea 0 (2-4 PK) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEpN3jivpiQ)

so, 2011 is our turn :D

in both 1996 and 2004 tournaments, we lost in semifinal in penalties because of unfair officiationg against Saudi Arabia (by an egyptian referee) and China (by a Lebanese referee) ! so this time we will lose to Japan by an Omani referee :D

and something funny, the guy who is celebrating like a monkey on Korean bench during the 2007 quarterfinal is the current head coach of Iran NT !!!
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be serious ! football is a weird sport ! 4 years ago Iraq lost the west asian cup final to Iran B and some days later, they won the AFC Cup and Iran A lost in quarterfinal !!! so nothing is impossible since even a bad team can play a very defensive game with many players behind the ball, and win the match.

I think Australia is the favourite, Japan is the second favourite, Iran, Korea and Saudi Arabia are in the next level and I think the rest haven't any realistic chance to win the cup.

our coach is an idiot ! but let's hope his lion's heart theory work ! :D

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my Prediction :
Group A: 1)UZB / 2)QAT
Group B: 1)JPN / 2)KSA
Group C: 1)AUS / 2)KOR
Group D: 1)IRN / 2)IRQ

Quarters:
Iran - Korea
Japan - Qatar
Saudi - Uzbekistan
Australia - Iraq

Semis:
Japan - Iran
Australia - KSA

3rd place:
Iran - KSA

Final:
Australia - Japan

BUT nothing is impossible when you talk about football !

[Saskibaloia]

BUT nothing is impossible when you talk about football !

That's the beautiful thing about sports.
Just like the last edition of the Asian Cup, who would have ever thought that Iraq would have win the whole thing. Would have thought Australia would do poorly in the group stages, thus forcing them to face off Japan in the quarter finals.

I agree Australia along with Japan are the favourites but who knows.

[theleatherwallet]

As long as IRan does not exit on penalties or a bad call I'll be fine.

I think a top 4 finish in the Asian Cup would be respectable, but we might as well aim for first. I think Japan is the favorite as well, but who knows.