Asia Group 1

[stuglue]

Australia
China
Iraq
Qatar
Most likely a battle between China and Australia for top spot

[Saraj Fanatico]

Iraq and Australia. I am all for Iraq. Their nation needs something to smile about for once.

[stuglue]

Yes they do but this is a tough group

[Bigpappys_gun]

hmm I though Iraq were banned from all tournements???

[emode]

hmm I though Iraq were banned from all tournements???

why? they are not banned in fact they just won over Lebanon 5:3 on the last leg of olympic qualifying match. Definitely the team to watch out for in Asia.

Australia
China
Iraq
Qatar

This is called the Asian group of death. Iraq and Australia should top this group but Australia really had to work hard for it. Sadly so far, they failed to impress since joining the Asian grouping.

[emode]

Most likely a battle between China and Australia for top spot

China? Huh they have less chance over Iraq. Iraq has come a long way to be where they are today so i'm pretty sure they are a far better threat to Australia than China.

[Pape]

Hmm seems like the thoughest group in Asia, I would also like to see Iraq make it through, cheer them up a bit. I know football helped the ex-Yugoslavia nations recover from war.

[stuglue]

China? Huh they have less chance over Iraq. Iraq has come a long way to be where they are today so i'm pretty sure they are a far better threat to Australia than China.

I know the "revolution" didn't quite happen for China after the 2002WC but i still think they have got more experience than Iraq to threaten the ozzies

[emode]

^Iraq actually have qualified to the World Cup final far earlier (1986) than 2002 for China. They also have won the Asian Cup and qualified for the confederation cup while none can be said about China. Iraq also rank at 71th. as compared to China at around 90th. Not that Fifa ranking is very reliable but thats why experience wise i think Iraq has more than China

If it wasn't far the continuous war in Iraq they would have developed so much more. Its kinda of hard to put up a good team with the war continues on...and thats what so unique about them.

[Fenerliyim]

i've never how out of 1.5 billion people in china and probably another couple million out of china u cant have 11 quality football players

[stuglue]

^Iraq actually have qualified to the World Cup final far earlier (1986) than 2002 for China. They also have won the Asian Cup and qualified for the confederation cup while none can be said about China. Iraq also rank at 71th. as compared to China at around 90th. Not that Fifa ranking is very reliable but thats why experience wise i think Iraq has more than China

If it wasn't far the continuous war in Iraq they would have developed so much more. Its kinda of hard to put up a good team with the war continues on...and thats what so unique about them.

Yes i remember watching Iraq in 1986,they lost all group games and only scored one goal,but that was years ago,and apparently when they returned to Iraq they were tortured by Saddam's son Udday,brutal stuff.
I still think China will get one of the qualifying spots as they have been more pro active in youth development and they are slowly filtering into clubs across Europe.2002 was a learning process for them,they played a good tidy passing game,they just didn't have a good finshing touch.

[Predator101]

Australia and China will qualify from this group, however it wont be easy.
Qatar just lost to Cote'voar 6 - 1 a way too disappointing result,
Iraq had a miracle in the last AFC dont think they gonna have it any more.

[COMEGATOS]

This is a tourturament not a deserving contest, tho Iraq has done pretty well so far Im a ll about Australia!!!

They'll win

[CambriaFan]

Australia should qualify pretty comfortably.

As for second, I'd like to see Iraq make it but after their great result in the Asia Cup they might have peaked and China could sneak it.

[wales]

If Australia dont get out of this group they may have wished they had stayed in Oceania to get at least a 2 game chance of qualifying.