Does it really matter about 'east' versus 'west' Asia? Is it a true battle, or someone's bored idea?

Funnily enough, I think one of Australia's big unsung advantages in Asian football is that none of the countries that are prone to trying to use fight-ball to disrupt other teams (just ask Korean and Japanese supporters what makes them nervous about playing NK, China, or some of the gulf teams) tend to try it on us.

China it is then..

No idea where else to post this, so here will do: Every game so far has been won by the more populous nation.

True
I still feel it's asymmetric though. I wonder if there is an objective way to tell

I would've thought Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam all have an advantage with the all round heat and humidity in home games.

As of China v Uzbekistan, it's now 6-1, or 7-2 if you count Uzbekistan as West.

This wont be a problem when 24 teams enter next time around.

Problem is west Asia's home advantage is relatively huge
So some mediocre teams qualify

Edited by grazorblade: 14/1/2015 08:25:47 PM

Amazed that Thailand couldn't even get a point in their qualifying group with Iran, Kuwait and Lebanon.

And India couldn't even get to the AFC Challenge Cup.

It should just be guaranteed that at least one from each confed makes the final 16, West confed would still get 5-7 spots after that which is still more than any other confed.

Exchanging an India for a Bahrain and a Thailand for a Palestine or Kuwait would have given this tournament an entirely different meaning and context - such a shame.

Just to settle the East Vs West debate re: Uzbekistan, this is from the AFC:

Good thread. Wish we (East Asia) had more teams in the Asian Cup though.

That being said im glad they are expanding. I like fresh styles of football.

Meh. Arguments are there to suggest otherwise.

Interesting post, Vostok.=d>

A lot more interesting than the rubbish you wrote on Anarchy Football.

Good .

I think 16 is not enough.

And now that it has been agreed that Uzbekistan don't count, that beautiful 4-0 Australian victory over Oman makes it 6-0 to East Asia. Glad to see that some others are enjoying it as much as me :)

0-1 between Kuwait and South Korea makes it 5-zip. :cool:

Go back to the 2010 World Cup - East Asia ruled! In fact there has been a decline in the Arab world in general with only Algeria doing any good. Egypt are the big disappointment, but Morocco have struggled as well. Winning the rights to the World Cup was vital for the improvement in the "region". It would be nice to see Israel return to Asia (but I guess that's unlikely).

As for the rest of Asia I agree that SE Asia is going to challenge, but India are surely the sleeping giants. India needs to do what Qatar and Japan have done in the past and naturalise some South Americans!

China got lucky against the Saudis. Both were just as bad as each other.

Correct. Because of this they really are the definition of Central Asia :lol: In 2012 Uzbekistan had 3 teams in the ACL, 1 was placed in East Asia, 2 were placed in West Asia. They generally are moved around by the AFC.

Uzbekistan has a good youth set up. Quarter Final at the Under 20 World Cup, Semi Final at the Under 20 Asian Cups in 2014 and 2012. In 2012 they won the Under 17 Asian Cup, In 2010 they were runners up. Quarters at the 2011 Under 17 World Cup. Had our number at youth level in the past too, I recall a few convincing wins for the Uzbeks against Australia at youth level. In the past they relied on some players developing in the Russian youth systems however they have transferred the knowledge and set up back home. Some Russian coaches ended up working with the youth set up in Uzbekistan as the top Russian clubs are normally filled with Dutch, German, Italians, Argentines as Technical Directors and Youth coaches.

I think for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers Uzbekistan will be very dangerous and strong, they have been close to qualifying in the past but may be even stronger a few years from now.

Jordan were a good side until they decided to employ a coach with inferior tactical ethos. Iran are a future powerhouse of Asia again with many bright young players exhibiting themselves here in Australia. I also think Iraq have a nice production line of quality youngsters and we all know about the great work in UAE.

Lebanon and Syria have not really produced in recent memory.

Qatar, Kuwait & Bahrain are all at risk of being overshadowed by highly populated developing nations such as Thailand & Vietnam as well as the re-emergence of Chinese football.

Uzbeks are central asia, 4-0

True about the inevitable rise of South East Asia, and let's not forget that from the next Asian Cup onwards 24 teams will compete .

Edited by paladisious : 13/1/2015 03:22:07 PM

Excellent point, Socceroos 06.

The oil states have a lot of money for football, but the same cannot be said for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iran.

There is some flash academy set up in Vietnam.

I'm not sure about Thailand's development, but they have improved recently.




Edited by Decentric: 13/1/2015 02:39:27 PM

I'm not sure how long that will last given South East Asian countries ramping up their youth development systems to raise the game there. I think one of Thailand or Vietnam could go a lot further in the future than a lowly populated West Asian side.

from what I have seen thailand and vietnam might be in the top 16 teams in asia

does west asia have an easier qualifying path?

Some interesting points have been made regarding whether Uzbekistan is east or west.


Of the teams that qualify from the east, although less numerically , they are more likely to be contenders for the title.

However, there is probably greater depth in the west.

Not all of them. When they have the oil countries nick the most spots, it's Uzbek teams they split across to the East.

Bunyodkor played qualifiers and group games in the East zone in 2012 and 2013 (playing against Adelaide in the group stage in the former year).