We Survived Bahrain Trap, Let's Talk Japan / Korea

[nakhl]

Congradulation, We Have Survived Bahrain Trap

Bahrain IS NOT a factor in our WCQ anymore. We went there to play only to find out that they had set several traps for us. We just cautiously managed our way around the trap and we are back on the road once again. So, let's forget the trap and Bahrain ordeal and concentrate on the upcoming games with Japan and N. korea.

The return game with Bahrain may no longer be a factor if we win our next 3 games with japan, n. korea and n. korea. we will most probably advance with 10 points since the possibility of a japan-bahrain draw is quite high. and if that does not happen, then all we need is a draw in bahrain return game to qualify.

So, Bahrain is almost completely behind us for a long time.
Let's STOP talking about Bahrain and concentrate on the road ahead.
Now, Let's Talk About The Real Things (Japan, N. Korea)

.

IRAN - JAPAN 3 Wins 3 Loss 4 Draws (including last 2)

Japan (JPN) 0:0 Iran (IRN) Asian Nations Cup 2004 CHONGQING CHINA PR - 28.07.2004
Japan (JPN) 1:1 (1:0) Iran (IRN) Friendly 1999 YOKOHAMA JAPAN - 08.09.1999
Japan (JPN) 3:2 a.e.t. (2:2,1:0) Iran (IRN) FIFA WC 1998 Prel. MALAYSIA - 16.11.1997
Japan (JPN) 1:2 (0:1) Iran (IRN) FIFA WC 1994 Prel. Comp. AFC DOHA QATAR - 18.10.1993
Japan (JPN) 1:0 (0:0) Iran (IRN) Asian Nations Cup 1992 HIROSHIMA JAPAN - 03.11.1992
Iran (IRN) 1:0 (1:0) Japan (JPN) Asian Games 1990 BEIJING CHINA PR - 01.10.1990
Iran (IRN) 1:3 (1:0) Japan (JPN) Friendly 1989 AHWAZ IRAN - 22.01.1989
Iran (IRN) 2:2 (0:1) Japan (JPN) Friendly 1989 TEHRAN IRAN - 20.01.1989
Japan (JPN) 0:0 Iran (IRN) Asian Nations Cup 1988 DOHA QATAR - 04.12.1988
Japan (JPN) 0:2 (0:2) Iran (IRN) Asian Games 1986 DAEJEON KOREA REPUBLIC - 22.09.1986



IRAN - N. KOREA 6 Wins 3 goalless Draws

Iran (IRN) 3:0 (3:0) Korea DPR (PRK) Asian Cup 2004 Prel. TEHRAN IRAN - 12.11.2003
Korea DPR (PRK) 1:3 (0:0) Iran (IRN) Asian Cup 2004 Prel. PYONGYANG KOREA DPR - 27.10.2003
Iran (IRN) 2:1 (0:1) Korea DPR (PRK) FIFA WC 1994 Prel. Comp. AFC DOHA QATAR - 25.10.1993
Korea DPR (PRK) 0:2 (0:1) Iran (IRN) Asian Nations Cup 1992 HIROSHIMA JAPAN - 30.10.1992
Iran (IRN) 0:0 a.e.t. 4:1PSO Korea DPR (PRK) Asian Games 1990 BEIJING CHINA PR - 06.10.1990
Iran (IRN) 2:1 (0:0) Korea DPR (PRK) Asian Games 1990 BEIJING CHINA PR - 28.09.1990
Korea DPR (PRK) 0:0 Iran (IRN) Asian Cup 1988 Prel. KATHMANDU NEPAL - 02.06.1988
Iran (IRN) 2:1 (1:0) Korea DPR (PRK) FIFA WC 1974 Prel. TEHRAN IRAN - 11.05.1973
Iran (IRN) 0:0 Korea DPR (PRK) FIFA WC 1974 Prel. TEHRAN IRAN - 04.05.1973

 

[Behrang(ISP)]

nahkl,

we still have one more game with bahrain so we can't put them behind us. they have improved a lot over the years. the same goes for north korea... they have a good team with some players who play in the J-League if i'm not mistaken. out of all these teams i think we may know japan the best. we have played them recently and we know the style of football they play. games against teams such as n.korea and bahrain in my opinion are harder and more challenging.

 

[Bache Tehroon]

Sorry but what trap are we talking about here?!

 

[Chief]

Good idea Nakhl jan

North Korea has not had much luck against us. So on paper we should be able to get at least 4 and probably 6 points from the. This edition of their team is better than the one we played 2 yearso ago in AC quals. They actually have 2 J-league players who are who are both "zainichi" Koreans(Japanese "green card" holders who are born in Japan and raised in Japan but play for NK).

Japan on the other hand has 2 sets of history against us, pre 1990 area we dominated them badly but since then we are almost even with them in terms of results. We have one problem in common with them, how to fit star players who play in Europe in the line up. Zico on wednesday benched all his Euro stars but had to bring in Takahara and Nakamura after the Koreans scored the equalizer. Bronko started all the Euro stars and they showed to be rusty and not in sink with the team. So maybe Zico was right! I expect we get 3 points from them in Tehran and lose in Japan.

I downloaded and watched Japan-NK last nite and I must say Japan was very much below their level, even their AC 2004 level. The Euro stars didn't help when they came in the second half. Takahara as usual missed some 100% chances. Korean;s seemed to be more chohesive and displayed textbook moves everywhere on the pitch. They were great in covering each other and that made Japan get out of their ususal rythem. As soon as the second half started, North Korea aggressively intimidated the Japanese defense with an extra man participating in their attacks. They eventually scored, deservedly, off a very nice 4-5 pass sequence with a great shot. After that they just went into bunker ball and defended. They almost pulled up the huge upset but the keeper made a bad mistake at the end and csot them the game.

In short every team in this group is solid and not a pushover. This makes every game a nail biter. None of the teams can go into any game assured a victory - not even at home.

 

[eerooni]

I FULLY AGREE with Nakhl here. Bahrain lost 2 points to TM at home and if they continue like this they will be out of the competition cuz I cannot imagine Bahrain winning in Japan, Pying yang or even Tehran.

TM has 3 games ahead of which 2 are the easiest( North Korea) the key point here is TM MUST win all thieir home games and we are 90% in the WC!

 

[wvupersian]

Nakhl,
I disagree with you on one thing. I do not think Japan will win bahrain or even tie with them at Manama!!! The same way we hate bahrain, or better to say" We love to beat them so bad" is true when it comes to Bahrain Vs. Japan. ( they still remember Asian cup, CHina) But overall, I think we will advance to WC before the last game at Japan.All we have to do is to gain 9 points at home and extra point away.