@Carbon_14 ; 7 countries are in contention. It is not straightforward that 1 country has to come out of two. Some groups are already decided for top two positions. In Group F, Phillipines Yemen Tajikistan are still in contention for 2 places while Nepal has been eliminated. In Group A, India is decided but Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan are in contention. In Group B, Lebanon has qualified but North Korea and Hong Kong are still in the fray.
11 Arab teams should qualify and barring Yemen and Palestine, 9 are difficult to beat teams. Iran, Uzbekistan Thailand, Australia are challenging teams. China, North and South Korea, Japan should be formidable opposition. 4 easy to beat teams should be Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Phillipines. One of these 4 should come into our group hopefully.
6 groups will be there- 4 each for total 24 teams. One of these 6 weak teams Palestine, Yemen, Phillipines, Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan will be there in India Group. That is our chance for 3 points. Other then this, we have 17 difficult teams. Again it depends on Draw and Rankings at that time also.
After the fucked up performance by India in Burma game, hoping for a clever fixing of an international friendly for better ranking. But with ISL in picture, I doubt that will happen
Interesting read on Peruvian football and its renascence in recent years http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/peru-beat-new-zealand-world-cup-qualifier-back-from-the-brink-a8057976.html Also, good to know this "In 1985, they had another chance to eliminate Argentina from the World Cup. With nine minutes remaining, they were 2-1 up. Maradona’s Mexico miracle might never have happened. Somehow, in a game Maradona would later describe as the most fearful he had ever felt on a football pitch, Ricardo Gareca smashed the ball in to claim the point that took Argentina to the finals." So, Argentina were on the brink of elimination before they made the finals and won the World Cup in 1986...hope history repeats in the 2018 WC
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Iran, Uzbekistan Thailand, Australia are challenging teams.
China, North and South Korea, Japan should be formidable opposition.
4 easy to beat teams should be Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Phillipines. One of these 4 should come into our group hopefully.
qualified for WC after 35years
Feeling pity for NZ.
Peru ranking 10 NZ 122
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/peru-beat-new-zealand-world-cup-qualifier-back-from-the-brink-a8057976.html
Also, good to know this
"In 1985, they had another chance to eliminate Argentina from the World Cup. With nine minutes remaining, they were 2-1 up. Maradona’s Mexico miracle might never have happened. Somehow, in a game Maradona would later describe as the most fearful he had ever felt on a football pitch, Ricardo Gareca smashed the ball in to claim the point that took Argentina to the finals."
So, Argentina were on the brink of elimination before they made the finals and won the World Cup in 1986...hope history repeats in the 2018 WC