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Post by cjeagle on Mar 28, 2015 7:55:04 GMT 8
www.football-rankings.info/2015/03/2018-fifa-world-cup-seeding-afc-10000_27.html#moreGames up to and including 26 March 2015. Teams are sorted by the average pot over the 10000 sims. Pot 1: Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, China PR, Iraq Pot 2: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Vietnam, Kuwait, Syria Pot 3: Afghanistan, Thailand, Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, Tajikistan, Lebanon, India Pot 4: Timor-Leste, Kyrgyzstan, Korea DPR, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Singapore, Indonesia Pot 5: Malaysia, Guam, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Yemen, Laos, Chinese Taipei, Cambodia Changes from previous sims: Syria replace Maldives in pot 2. Bhutan replace Yemen in pot 4.
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Post by cjeagle on Mar 31, 2015 2:45:51 GMT 8
Bahrain 2-1 Philippines. Philippines falls to Pot 3.
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Post by xyz1000 on Mar 31, 2015 6:57:28 GMT 8
That pretty much seals it as pot #3 for the Philippines.
Brought this up months ago -- the PFF should've seen this coming. Sure, winning another game at the Suzuki Cup might've made a difference, but so would more friendlies.
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Post by cjeagle on Mar 31, 2015 17:01:38 GMT 8
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, China PR, Iraq Pot 2: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Vietnam, Kuwait, Syria Pot 3: Afghanistan, Thailand, Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, Tajikistan, Lebanon, India Pot 4: Timor-Leste, Kyrgyzstan, Korea DPR, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Singapore, Indonesia Pot 5: Malaysia, Guam, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Yemen, Laos, Chinese Taipei, Cambodia
Draw will be in April for 2nd Round
Second round: A total of 40 teams (teams ranked 1–34 and six first round winners) will be divided into eight groups of five teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The eight group winners and the four best group runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification as well as qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals.
N.B. Afghanistan's friendly against Kyrgyzstan has been cancelled, so it stays in Pot 3 and Syria goes to Pot 2.
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Post by stingray11214 on Apr 1, 2015 15:25:54 GMT 8
UGH! This is gonna be rough.
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Post by nashval on Apr 1, 2015 16:43:27 GMT 8
BLOG - FOOTBALL ASIA
BY RYAN FENIX ShareTweet0 2 hours ago Dooley's new system for Azkals takes shape ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Suzuki Cup semifinalists Philippines prepared for upcoming World Cup qualifiers with a friendly against Bahrain. After a quiet start to the year following a hectic 2014, the Philippines returned to international action with a 2-1 friendly defeat away to Bahrain on Monday night as coach Thomas Dooley tried a new system.
The coming months will see the small matter of qualifying matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. All teams will be guaranteed eight matches, including four at home.
So here are three things to watch out for the Azkals for the rest of 2015:
1. The new system of Thomas Dooley
It is a testament to rising expectations of the Azkals' fans that not winning tournaments is now considered a failure.
"Last year we were finalists in the Challenge Cup and semifinalists in the Suzuki Cup. In ordinary years, those are clear achievements to be proud of," PFF secretary general Ed Gastanes said.
"Some people saw the results as a letdown. I don't see it that way. I see consistency."
Fans, who have been shown a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been, now demand more.
It is against this backdrop that Coach Dooley is now trying to implement a 3-4-3 system for the Azkals.
It might also be a combination of other factors that have pushed Dooley's hand, including a surplus of midfielders, fullbacks who like to move up and double as wing backs, plus a newfound confidence to build up from the back.
The 3-4-3 system made its debut in the defeat to Bahrain in Manama. If that is anything to go by, Azkals fans have some right to hope for the best from this formation this year.
Star striker Phil Younghusband will be entrusted with the captaincy as the Azkals look to build on recent achievements. 2. Old faces, new faces
Many fans who only knew about the Azkals in 2010 will struggle to recognize the Azkals of 2015.
Gone are Aly Borromeo, Anton del Rosario, Jason de Jong and Chieffy Caligdong. Some of the more familiar names will, however, still ring a bell.
Phil Younghusband now looks set to take over the captain's armband. Neil Etheridge looks to be back in favour, and Rob Gier can still provide defensive solidity when needed. James Younghusband, in a midfield position, is one of the leading goal scorers in the UFL.
Yet, it is the new names who have people excited.
Iain Ramsay, who plays for Melbourne City in the A-League, Luke Woodland of Bolton Wanderers and defender Stephen Palla of Wolfsberger AC in Austria have been touted as joining the team for June's World Cup qualifiers.
"Regarding Luke Woodland, I think he's inclined to be with the team. In fact, we sent him, weeks ago, the list of things to be done and the requirements before going to the Philippines consulate in London," Gastanes said.
"Regarding Palla, he plays in the back line, and the latest report is that he's interested. So hopefully, we'll have good reinforcements to the team before June.
"Regarding Ramsay, he is renewing his passport. He had a Filipino passport before, when he was a 10-year-old boy. He should be on track for June. He is just renewing."
With Greuther Furth dynamo Stephan Schrock reportedly patching things up with Dooley and Kaya FC's OJ Porteria returning to form, the Azkals suddenly have a lot of options on the field.
Germany-based utility player Stephan Schrock, seen here playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2013, has reportedly healed his rift with Dooley. 3. Four home matches for the Azkals
The new qualifying format for the FIFA World Cup has drawn mixed reactions from other countries, but for the Philippines, the change is very important because we have more games to play -- at least eight, with four at home.
More matches mean more chances to play. It also means more exposure for our players, many of whom are now based locally.
Eight group winners and the four best second-placed teams will progress to the next round. Should the Azkals fail to make it, there is still qualification to the Asian Cup to play for, with the next 24 ranked Asian teams involved.
"The locally based players are getting stronger and stronger, and with the new system of Dooley, anything can happen," Gastanes said.
"When you play in the World Cup qualifying matches, the atmosphere is different. This is the World Cup. The players get into a zone, even at qualifying."
After more than a year into Dooley's tenure, the former United States captain now has a deeper insight and understanding into his players. This will serve the Azkals in good stead for some fascinating games ahead, even with the Philippines' fans expecting and demanding more from the national team.
Manila-based Ryan Fenix is football columnist for Sports5 Philippines and analyst for InterAksyon.com. He is also a FIFA Ballon d'Or juror.
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Post by xyz1000 on Apr 2, 2015 10:39:17 GMT 8
The addition of Woodland, Palla, and Ramsay is tantalizing. Add to that Patino if he's available and Schrock if he and the coach see eye to eye, then you have a team that can give a good challenge to any of the teams in the current pot 2. These new guys are likely at the same level, if not better, than Phil Younghusband, so imagine the team now then replace three of the players with ones who are just as good, if not better, than Phil.
These are exciting times for the Azkals. Eight games. If we get all these players, we could give anyone from pot #2 a good challenge.
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Post by cmcp on Apr 6, 2015 20:01:28 GMT 8
What ever are rankings where when the first round started will be used. Not the March and April rankings. Im not sure whether we are pot 2 or 3 based on the Feb or Jan rankings used.
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Post by cmcp on Apr 6, 2015 20:11:22 GMT 8
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Post by cjeagle on Apr 7, 2015 2:02:06 GMT 8
What ever are rankings where when the first round started will be used. Not the March and April rankings. Im not sure whether we are pot 2 or 3 based on the Feb or Jan rankings used. The AFC announced that they will use the latest FIFA rankings at the time of the draw which is the April rankings. Above listed pot will be used.
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Post by xyz1000 on Apr 7, 2015 7:28:41 GMT 8
Technically the April rankings, as of this writing (4/6) have not yet come out. It comes out 4/9. But since the ranking procedure is public and some people do the calculations themselves, it just depends on how trustworthy the source is for the calculations.
The drawing is on April 15.
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Post by cjeagle on Apr 7, 2015 8:01:13 GMT 8
Technically the April rankings, as of this writing (4/6) have not yet come out. It comes out 4/9. But since the ranking procedure is public and some people do the calculations themselves, it just depends on how trustworthy the source is for the calculations. The drawing is on April 15. From experience, this website makes a fairly accurate prediction of FIFA and AFC rankings as well as calculations for the draws depending upon guidelines given by this organizations which is similar to the one I posted above. Edgar is a very reliable source. Even FA's consult with him on stats. www.football-rankings.info/2015/04/2018-fifa-world-cup-seeding-afc-secound.htmlThe second round draw will take place on 14 April 2015 and will use the April 2015 FIFA ranking as confirmed by AFC. With no matches left before the deadline, the pots are set. Pot 1: Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, China PR, Iraq Pot 2: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Vietnam, Syria, Kuwait Pot 3: Afghanistan, Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, Thailand, Tajikistan, Lebanon, India Pot 4: Timor-Leste, Kyrgyzstan, Korea DPR, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, Singapore, Bhutan Pot 5: Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Yemen, Guam, Laos, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei
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Post by cmcp on Apr 7, 2015 12:11:30 GMT 8
Thanks cjeagle for the clarification. Guess we are pot three then. Cant wait! atleast we can avoid Palestine and Thailand and Afghanistan. Teams we dont play well against in recent history.
Here is the live stream link for the draw. Its counting down already!
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Post by xyz1000 on Apr 7, 2015 20:24:33 GMT 8
Technically the April rankings, as of this writing (4/6) have not yet come out. It comes out 4/9. But since the ranking procedure is public and some people do the calculations themselves, it just depends on how trustworthy the source is for the calculations. The drawing is on April 15. From experience, this website makes a fairly accurate prediction of FIFA and AFC rankings as well as calculations for the draws depending upon guidelines given by this organizations which is similar to the one I posted above. Edgar is a very reliable source. Even FA's consult with him on stats. www.football-rankings.info/2015/04/2018-fifa-world-cup-seeding-afc-secound.htmlThe second round draw will take place on 14 April 2015 and will use the April 2015 FIFA ranking as confirmed by AFC. With no matches left before the deadline, the pots are set. Pot 1: Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, China PR, Iraq Pot 2: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Vietnam, Syria, Kuwait Pot 3: Afghanistan, Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, Thailand, Tajikistan, Lebanon, India Pot 4: Timor-Leste, Kyrgyzstan, Korea DPR, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, Singapore, Bhutan Pot 5: Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Yemen, Guam, Laos, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei Technically, the pots are not set until FIFA announces the rankings and AFC announces the pots. AFC may have heard from an FA that is no longer willing to host games. Someone could've bribed FIFA (who would think....) to increase the ratings. Point is, the above are NOT the official pots until announced. Having said that, this is the group I would fear the most: Japan, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Korea DPR, Malaysia This is the group I'd like to see them in: Iraq, Vietnam, Philippines, Bhutan, Guam Tough traveling: Uzbekistan, Syria, Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Yemen Significant Pinoy away-crowd, OFWs: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong
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Post by cjeagle on Apr 8, 2015 2:45:04 GMT 8
From experience, this website makes a fairly accurate prediction of FIFA and AFC rankings as well as calculations for the draws depending upon guidelines given by this organizations which is similar to the one I posted above. Edgar is a very reliable source. Even FA's consult with him on stats. www.football-rankings.info/2015/04/2018-fifa-world-cup-seeding-afc-secound.htmlThe second round draw will take place on 14 April 2015 and will use the April 2015 FIFA ranking as confirmed by AFC. With no matches left before the deadline, the pots are set. Pot 1: Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, China PR, Iraq Pot 2: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Vietnam, Syria, Kuwait Pot 3: Afghanistan, Philippines, Palestine, Maldives, Thailand, Tajikistan, Lebanon, India Pot 4: Timor-Leste, Kyrgyzstan, Korea DPR, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, Singapore, Bhutan Pot 5: Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Yemen, Guam, Laos, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei Technically, the pots are not set until FIFA announces the rankings and AFC announces the pots. AFC may have heard from an FA that is no longer willing to host games. Someone could've bribed FIFA (who would think....) to increase the ratings. Point is, the above are NOT the official pots until announced. Having said that, this is the group I would fear the most: Japan, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Korea DPR, Malaysia This is the group I'd like to see them in: Iraq, Vietnam, Philippines, Bhutan, Guam Tough traveling: Uzbekistan, Syria, Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Yemen Significant Pinoy away-crowd, OFWs: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong True it is not official, although the AFC itself has occasionally made errors in its calculations in the past based on its own rules, which Edgar pointed out to them and they ended up correcting their rankings. If all the new additions become part of the team, and gel in time, I am hopeful we can make round 3 of the AFC WC qualifying, assuming we get a favorable draw, like the easy group you mentioned.
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