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AFC 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match Predictions – 15 November 2011

Jonathon Feyerherm — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:29:28 +0000

Below are predictions for all the AFC 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Times listed below are GMT or local UK time.

AFC 2014 World Cup Qualifying Match Predictions

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Thailand v Australia, 11:00 – Australia wins 3-1

Singapore v China, 11:30 – 1-1 Draw

Indonesia v Iran, 12:00 – Iran wins 1-0

Lebanon v South Korea, 12:30 – 0-0 Draw

Uzbekistan v Tajikistan, 13:00 – Uzbekistan wins 2-0

Kuwait v UAE, 14:30 – Kuwait wins 2-0

Jordan v Iraq, 16:00 – Jordan wins 2-0

Qatar v Bahrain, 16:00 – 1-1 Draw

Saudi Arabia v Oman, 16:30 – Saudi Arabia wins 2-1

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Australia v Thailand – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, Betting Odds – AFC WCQ – 2 September 2011

Jonathon Feyerherm — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 03:09:48 +0000

The Socceroos start AFC 2014 World Cup Qualifying with a home match against Thailand. The match will take place at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on Friday, September 2, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 BST (UK time), 12:00 CET (Central Europe), and 06:00 EST (USA Eastern).

Australia v Thailand TV Listings

It will be televised on Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East) and Fox Sports (Australia).

Australia v Thailand Preview

Australia manager Holger Osieck

”If I try to play a tactical game now, it wouldn’t be the right approach. The first 11, when the whistle blows, will be the very best available.”

”It’s no secret Brett Holman has been one of the cornerstones of the team, since I’ve been here anyway. ’I don’t reveal any secret when I say he will be in the team.”

Australia player Lucas Neill

”We have tasted it now, as public and as players, and we will want more,” he said.

”I think it would be a waste, having been to two [World Cups], if we somehow stumbled now and didn’t perform to our best to give ourselves the chance to go to [another].

”It’s a chance to take on the very best in the world on the biggest stage and it certainly still excites me. I still have a hunger for it.”

Thailand manager Winfred Schafer

“We have good players. The problem currently is that before I arrived the national team had not played for around eight months. I work very well with the President of the Thai FA and we have made plans and a match calendar for the national team.

“At one stage Thailand was at a similar level to Japan and Korea (Republic). The Thailand FA and I are working well together for success, not just for one year but for the long-term. I want to help Thai football achieve major success. We are ranked 120 in the world but I think we will go up.”

“We can have good results - why not? We are happy to qualify for this stage and have the opportunity to play against the likes of Australia. Yes, our group is very, very difficult but with football you never know.”

Australia Squad

Alex Brosque (Shimizu S-Pulse), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Nathan Coe (Sonderjysk Elitesport, Denmark), Luke DeVere (Gyeongnam, South Korea), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace, England), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus, Japan), Neil Kilkenny (Bristol City, England), Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (JEF United, Japan), Lucas Neill (Al-Jazira, UAE), Sasa Ognenovski (Seongham Ilwha Chunma, South Korea), Adam Sarota (Utrecht, Netherlands), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, England), Matthew Spiranovic (Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan), James Troisi (Kayserispor, Turkey), Carl Valeri (US Sassuolo Calcio, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow, Russia), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough, England), Michael Zullo (Utrecht, Netherlands)

Thailand Sqaud

GOALKEEPERS: Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool (Chonburi), Sivaruk Terdsungnern (Buriram PEA), Chatchai Butprom (Osotspa M-150).

DEFENDERS: Phaitoon Tiebma (Muang Thong), Suttinun Phukhom (Chonburi), Chonlatit Jantakam (Chonburi), Teerathorn Boonmathan (Buriram PEA), Supachai Komsil (Bangkok Glass), Niweat Siriwong (Pattaya), Prathum Chuthong (Osotspa M-150).

MIDFIELDERS: Jakkraprom Kaewprom (Buriram PEA), Datsakorn Thonglao (Muang Thong), Adul Lasoh (Chonburi), Suchao Nutnum (Buriram PEA), Surat Sukha (Buriram PEA), Pokklao Anan (Insee Police), Arthit Sunthornpit (Chonburi), Piyapol Buntao (Muang Thong), Rangsan Vivatchaichok (Buriram PEA).

STRIKERS: Teerasil Dangda (Muang Thong), Chatree Chimtalay (Bangkok Glass), Sompong Sorleb (Buriram FC) and Sarayuth Chaikamdee (Bangkok Glass)

Head-to-head

Played 2: Wins Australia 2

Previous meeting

Thailand 0, Australia 4, 2007 Asian Cup, Bangkok, July 2011

Past five matches:

Australia:
Wales 2, Australia 1, friendly, Cardiff, August 2011
Australia 0, Serbia 0, friendly, Melbourne, June 2011
Australia 3, New Zealand 0, friendly, Adelaide, June 2011
Germany 1, Australia 2, friendly, Moenchengladbach, March 2011
Japan 1, Australia 0, 2011 Asian Cup final, Doha

Thailand:
Thailand 0, Singapore 0, friendly, Bangkok, August 2011
Palestine 2, Thailand 2, World Cup qualifier, Al Ram, July 2011
Thailand 1, Palestine 0, World Cup qualifier, Buriram, July 2011
Thailand 1, Myanmar 1, friendly, Buriram, July 2011
Thailand 1, Myanmar 0, friendly, Buriram, July 2011

Tables

PO	TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Australia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Oman	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Saudi Arabia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Thailand	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Next Matches

Australia		Thailand
9/2	Thailand	9/2	@Australia
9/6	@Saudi Arabia	9/6	Oman

Australia v Thailand Prediction

Australia wins 2-0

Australia v Thailand Odds

Australia win – 1/10

Draw – 6/1

Thailand win – 14/1

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Wales v Australia – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, Betting Odds – Friendly – 10 August 2011

Jonathon Feyerherm — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:57:26 +0000

Australia travel to Europe to play Wales in a friendly match before beginning 2014 World Cup qualifying in the AFC region. The match will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on Wednesday, August 10, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 19:45 BST (UK time), 20:45 CET (Central Europe), and 14:45 EST (USA Eastern).

Wales v Australia TV Listings

It will be televised on Sky Sports 4 (UK), Fox Sports (Australia), and on Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East).

Wales v Australia Preview

Wales manager Gary Speed

“Gareth (Bale) has looked good in training this week.”

“Hopefully he can play a part [on Wednesday]. Gareth had a great season last season and hopefully for Spurs and Wales he can kick on again this season.”

“He’s (Craig Bellamy) feeling as good as he’s ever felt, he’s had a good pre-season up at Man City and he’s played a few games.”

“He’s raring to go and he’s the old Craig Bellamy again; he’s been in your ear and he’s moaning here and he’s moaning there!

“That’s a good sign knowing him, that’s a good sign he’s really up for it so I’m sure he’s looking forward to the game.”

“They [Australia] are a good team, they are on the fringes of the top 20 in the world, they are strong.”

“They beat Germany recently but they are the teams we want to play against as we feel it will enhance our development.

“Playing sides like Australia will make sure we are ready for when those qualifiers come around.”

Wales player Robert Earnshaw

“It’s not embarrassing or anything like that because the rankings are fake at times. They don’t tell the truth.

“They are sometimes on a piece of paper but when you look at the squad, you can see we’re nowhere near that level.

“We’re better than that and the rankings are an exaggeration of what’s happened over the last four or five years in terms of results.

“It’s not something that’s been mentioned by the manager because it’s not in our thinking about how we move forward and get better as a team.

“We’re focused on what’s ahead of us and we’re not paying any attention to rankings.”

Wales v Australia Prediction

2-2 Draw

Wales v Australia Betting Odds

Wales win – 2/1

Draw – 23/10

Australia win – 11/8

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Germany 1-2 Australia – Video Highlights, Recap, and Match Stats – Friendly – 29 March 2011

Jonathon Feyerherm — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:53:37 +0000

Australia defeated Germany 2-1 in an international friendly on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

Germany 1-2 Australia Video Highlights

The match highlights can be viewed here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Germany 1-2 Australia Recap

Australia shocked Germany with a come from behind 2-1 win at Borussia Park.

The home side appeared to be in control of the match after a 26th minute Mario Gomez goal but that changed in the second half. A goal from Australia’s David Carney in the 61st minute tied the match and a penalty converted by Luke Wilshere put the Socceroos on top.

The Germans were unable to find an equalizer in front of a stunned home crowd. This was the first match for Australia since their disappointing loss to Japan in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final.

Germany 1-2 Australia Match Stats

Scoring Summary

Germany	Australia
Mario Gomez (26′)	David Carney (61′)
	Luke Wilkshire (pen 64′)

Match Stats

Germany Australia

11(2)	Shots (on Goal)	9(5)
11	Fouls	20
4	Corner Kicks	5
1	Offsides	6
58%	Time of Possession	42%
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
3	Saves	1

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Australia 0-1 Japan – Video Highlights, Recap, and Match Stats – Asian Cup – 29 January 2011

Jonathon Feyerherm — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:46:38 +0000

Japan defeated Australia in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final on Saturday, January 29, 2011.

Australia 0-1 Japan Video Highlights

The match highlights can be viewed here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Australia 0-1 Japan Recap

Japan won a record 4th Asian Cup title with a 1-0 win over Australia on Saturday night in Qatar.

The is Japan’s first since 2004 while it’s Australia first time playing in the tournament since moving out of the Oceanic region. Both sides would have chances but it remained scoreless after 90 minutes. It would go into extra time with no team scoring in the first half. In the second half of extra time, Japan would score the lone goal of the match.

A cross was sent in the box and volley into the back of the net by Japan’s Tadanari Lee in the 109th minute. It was a solid finish but poor defending as Lee was completely unmarked in the box.

The next AFC Asian Cup will take place in 2015 with Australia as hosts.

Australia 0-1 Japan Match Stats

Scoring Summary

Australia	Japan
	Tadanari Lee (109′)

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Zaccheroni, the samurai from Cesenatico

Stephen Goodfellow — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:37:48 +0000

In the Adriatic province of Cesenatico, where winter days are spent between the fishing of the clams the town calls poverazze and ripe cheese on piadina, a type of local pita bread, Zaccheroni’s achievements with Japan in the Asian Cup must have made headlines. Zaccheroni’s Japan has reached the finals by beating first Qatar 3-2 and then South Korea after penalties. In the footsteps of the Dutch wanderer Guus Hiddink, Zaccheroni is the latest example of a particular kind of made in Italy; his export also proves that the problems at Juventus last season were far beyond his control.

The match with Qatar offers significant tactical ideas. First of all, Japan adopted an advanced “high diamond”, supported by two holding midfielders, managing to keep Qatar’s full-backs on the back foot. If one places dotted lines on the formation, the effect would be somewhat similar to what Arsenal is doing this season: the movements inscribed within a rhomboid perimeter. The only disadvantage of this structure was a rather high and too chancy line of defense, which exposed Japan at deadly counterattacks.

After one of Japan’s central defenders was shown a red card, Zaccheroni reshuffled his men in an innovative 4-2-3 disposition, dropping the lone striker. Again, as in the first half, the use of three hybrid winger/playmakers did a lot of damage despite the numerical inferiority, and created corridors for Kagawa’s penetrations. Small in size and fluid in style, Japan’s no. 10 enjoyed a similar position to that of Oezil with Germany. The following video documents the two goals that completed Japan’s sensational comeback.

Zac, the Shogun from Meldola

The semi-final won against South Korea shows a different structure, more cagey. Both teams were equipped with a 4-2-3-1, and utilized well the space. The game was at times so fast one could hardly think. The tactical key for Zaccheroni was the linear progression of Nagatomo inviting cross on the left, something that forced Korea into a defensive 4-1-4-1.

Zac, the Shogun (Nagatomo bombing forward)

The Asian Cup sees the rise of a new formula of ‘total football’, whose tactical language is ultimately Dutch-inflected and partly suggested by the average height of the players. Among the freelancing coaches who are experiencing this paradigm, the Italian Zaccheroni is only the latest embodiment and one of the most intriguing for a country once known for its defensive pride and its zelous application of 4-4-2 looms.

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Australia v Japan – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, and Betting Odds – Asian Cup – 29 January 2011

Jonathon Feyerherm — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:38:46 +0000

It’s down to the final of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final with Australia facing Japan. The match will take place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Saturday, January 29, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 15:00 GMT (UK time), 16:00 CET (Central Europe), and 10:00 EST (USA Eastern).

Australia v Japan TV Listings

It will be televised on EuroSport (Europe), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), and on Fox Sports (Australia).

Australia v Japan Preview

Recent Head To Head Matches

Year	Competition/Stage	Winner	Result	Venue
2009	WCQ	Australia	2-1	Melbourne
2009	WCQ	Draw	0-0	Yokohama
2007	AC QF	Japan	1-1 aet; 4-3 on pens	Hanoi
2006	WC GS	Australia	3-1	Kaiserslautern
2001	CC SF	Japan	1-0	Yokohama
1998	F	Japan	3-0	Adelaide
1996	F	Australia	3-0	Melbourne
1996	F	Japan	4-1	Wollongong
1995	F	Australia	2-1	Sydney
1994	F	Draw	0-0	Tokyo
1994	F	Draw	1-1	Hiroshima
1969	WCQ	Australia	3-1	Seoul
1968	F	Japan	3-1	Adelaide
1968	F	Australia	3-1	Melbourne
1968	F	Draw	2-2	Sydney
1956	OLY R1	Australia	2-0	Melbourne

Key
WC: World Cup
WCQ: World Cup qualifying match
AC: AFC Asian Cup
CC: Confederations Cup
OLY: Summer Olympics
F: friendly
GS: group stage
aet: after extra-time

Past five matches:

Australia:
Uzbekistan 0, Australia 6, Doha, January 2011
Australia 1, Iraq 1 (aet), Doha, January 2011
Australia 1, Bahrain 0, Doha January. 2011
Australia 1, Korea Republic 1, Doha, January 2011
Australia 4, India 0, Doha, January 2011

Japan:
South Korea 2, Japan 2 (aet), (0-3pso), Doha, January 2011
Qatar 2, Japan 3, Doha, January 2011
Saudi Arabia 0, Japan 5, Doha, January 2011
Syria 1, Japan 2, Doha, January 2011
Japan 1, Jordan 1, Doha, January

Competition Stats

	Australia	Japan
Goals	Harry Kewell 3	Ryoichi Maeda 3
Assists	Harry Kewell 0	Ryoichi Maeda 0
Yellows	Brett Emerton 2	Atsuto Uchida 3
Reds		Maya Yoshida 1

Next Matches

Australia		Japan
1/29	Japan	1/29	@Australia

Australia v Japan Prediction

Australia wins 2-1

Australia v Japan Betting Odds

Australia win – 13/8

Draw (after 90 minutes) – 15/8

Japan win – 6/4

Australia v Japan Live Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.

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2011 AFC Asian Cup Video Highlights

Jonathon Feyerherm — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 05:11:16 +0000

Below are video highlights for the 2011 Asian Cup. This page will be continually updated as the tournament progresses. Click on each match for the highlights (courtesy of Free Soccer Highlights).

2011 AFC Asian Cup Video Highlights

Group Stage

Fri	07/01/11	Qatar	0 – 2	Uzbekistan
Sat	08/01/11	Kuwait	0 – 2	China PR
Sun	09/01/11	Japan	1 – 1	Jordan
		Saudi Arabia	1 – 2	Syria
Mon	10/01/11	India	0 – 4	Australia
		Korea Republic	2 – 1	Bahrain
Tue	11/01/11	Korea DPR	0-0	UAE
		Iraq	1-2	Iran
Wed	12/01/11	Uzbekistan	2-1	Kuwait
		China PR	0-2	Qatar
Thu	13/01/11	Jordan	0-1	Saudi Arabia
		Syria	1-2	Japan
Fri	14/01/11	Australia	1-1	Korea Republic
		Bahrain	5-2	India
Sat	15/01/11	Iran	1-0	Korea DPR
		UAE	0-1	Iraq
Sun	16/01/11	China PR	2-2	Uzbekistan
		Qatar	3-0	Kuwait
Mon	17/01/11	Jordan	2-1	Syria
		Saudi Arabia	0-5	Japan
Tue	18/01/11	Australia	1-0	Bahrain
		Korea Republic	4-1	India
Wed	19/01/11	UAE	0-3	Iran
		Iraq	1-0	Korea DPR

QUARTER FINALS

Fri	21/01/11	Japan	3-2	Qatar
		Uzbekistan	2-1	Jordan
Sat	22/01/11	Australia	1-0	Iraq
		Iran	0-1	South Korea

SEMI FINALS

Tue	25/01/11	Japan	2-2 (3-0 pens)	South Korea
		Uzbekistan	0-6	Australia

3RD PLACE FINAL

Fri	28/01/11	Loser 1A/2B – 1D/2C	09 : 00	Loser 1B/2A – 1C/2D

FINAL

Sat	29/01/11	Winner 1A/2B – 1D/2C	09 : 00	Winner 1B/2A – 1C/2D

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2011 AFC Asian Cup Knockout Stage Draw

Jonathon Feyerherm — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:32 +0000

Below is the draw for the knockout stage of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

21 January - Doha

Uzbekistan

25 January - Doha

Jordan

Winner Quarter-final 1

22 January - Doha

Winner Quarter-final 3

Australia

29 January - Doha

Iraq

Winner Semi-final 1

21 January - Doha

Winner Semi-final 2

Japan

25 January - Doha

Qatar

Winner Quarter-final 2 Third place

22 January - Doha

Winner Quarter-final 4

Iran Loser Semi-final 1

South Korea Loser Semi-final 2

28 January - Doha

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Paraguay 0-0 (5-3 on penalty kicks) Japan – Video Highlights, Recap, Match Stats – World Cup – 29 June 2010

Jonathon Feyerherm — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:14:34 +0000

Two sides who weren’t expected to make into the quarterfinals met in the round of 16 as Paraguay faced off against Japan. One would reach their first ever quarterfinal while the other would be knocked out of the tournament. The winner would face Portugal or Spain.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3) Japan Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3 Japan Recap

It would go to a penalty shoot-out with Paraguay edging Japan to move into the quarterfinals.

The penalties would be even after two rounds then Japan’s Yuichi Komano would miss to open the door for Paraguay. They would not miss one of theirs and clinched it in the fifth round with Oscar Cordoza who made it 5-3.

It was a tough a hard fought match and Japan can still consider this World Cup a success. Paraguay will be the 4th South American side to be in the quarterfinals.

Paraguay 0-0 (5-3) Japan Match Stats

15(6)	Shots (on Goal)	13(2)
26	Fouls	29
6	Corner Kicks	5
1	Offsides	1
61%	Time of Possession	39%
1	Yellow Cards	4
0	Red Cards	0
2	Saves	6