Tuesday 20 January 2015

Asian Cup 2015 - Knockout Stage Predictions

What an interesting statistic this tournament has produced: the most number of consecutive wins at a football tournament (Regional or World Cup). The record is ongoing, currently sitting at 24 games in a row (ie. all matches in the Group Stage) ending without a draw! It has comfortably displaced the old record of 18 games in a row set at the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay.

I should note that I have watched most of the teams play and I think the quality of football hasn't really been that great, with only the favourites (and those who have progressed to the knockout stages) standing out - something so obvious it probably goes without saying.

The Draw as it stands



Looks like I got 2 out of 4 Groups correct in my predictions whilst in the other 2 I failed to see China taking the place of Saudi Arabia (Group B) and the UAE taking the place of Qatar (Group C)


Knockout Stage Predictions:


South Korea v Uzbekistan (22 Jan, 6.30pm AEDT)

Should be a close match, given that Uzbekistan breathed down the neck of the Koreans in the previous World Cup Qualification campaign. South Korea should take it based on experience and form but I would love to see an upset here.

Prediction: South Korea 2-1, though I would like Uzbekistan to win.

[As a sidenote, in one sense, it's a real shame that the Socceroos couldn't secure a draw in their final group match to top Group A. I am sure that the tournament organisers assumed that the Socceroos would top their group, hence arranging for the Winner of Group A to play at Melbourne and, should they get that far, Sydney twice. This would surely have generated a lot of interest and hype, and therefore ticket sales (I assume that the stadia are larger in Melbourne and Sydney), if the home team was playing but alas South Korea stole the show. I read that many Socceroos fans are selling their tickets to this Quarterfinal!]


Iran vs Iraq  (23 Jan, 5.30pm AEDT)

Iran have a good record against their neighbour rivals so should take this one out. They have a good defensive lineup too.

Prediction: Iran 1-0


China vs Australia (22 Jan, 9.30pm AEDT)

Not an easy match for the Socceroos. I think Australia will be hurting from the last match; we will want to make quick amends after our loss to South Korea.

In terms of setting up goals, Australia played quite well against South Korea. However in terms of their man-marking for the conceded goal and their execution/finishing of chances, they were left wanting. Australia's defence was always going to be the problem. I expect slight improvements in these areas to be enough for Australia to scrape past China.

Prediction: Australia 2-1, with the Socceroos to concede an early goal?

TV ratings should soar for obvious reasons?


Japan vs UAE (23 Jan, 8.30pm AEDT)

Japan should edge the UAE comfortably given the talent in their squad, even though UAE likes to play forward through Omar Abdulrahman.

Prediction: Japan 2-0


All my choices, as you can see, have unashamedly been very safe and predictable: I look forward to being wrong.

More to come...

Andre Lim

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