WC Qualifying Review (Round 3 MD8)

June’s round of World Cup qualifiers was pretty eventful, despite only having one match day. A number of off-the-field talking points were circling in the run up and post-match discussions; from Saudi Arabia’s stance on honouring minute silences, the same country’s political relationship with Qatar, not to mention the round being played during Ramadan at the peak of summer, in conditions FIFA have unequivocally categorised as unplayable; there was a lot to contend with. The football on offer did produce drama (Syria’s late equaliser, Qatar’s victory over Korea) but quality from the big boys remained thin on the ground. That is aside from Iran, who become Asia’s first representation in Russia 2018. Congratulations to them, but a case of improvement is needed for the rest.

The Player

If there ever was a time to call upon your leading man, Thursday was that occasion. Up against a fired up attacking Saudi Arabia side, resisting with a wobbly defence, Australia needed goals, something that have come before but mainly through predictable channels; headers off set plays, penalties and of course the legendary Tim Cahill. Tomi Juric, who had been leading the line pretty well over the last few games, finally got the lucky break he needed in front of goal, notching a brace in arguably his finest appearance in a Socceroo jersey.

That break came early, but still asked much of Juric’s ability to quickly turn a half chance into a goal-scoring opportunity. Saudi keeper Yassr Al-Mosailem’s wayward drop kick failed to reach 20 yards, demanding an instant control then volley from Juric to fire Australia into an early lead. Pegged back quickly, Juric was called upon again; this time Matt Leckie aided the physical striker, skipping down the line before cutting back the cross for Juric to head home. While Juric went close to securing his hat-trick late on, it was his all round hold up play that again impressed in the second period.

Juric’s place in the Australian XI has at times been an uncomfortable fit, but it’s now unequivocally been cemented over the last few months. Injury setbacks at the end of last year held him back, while Tim Cahill continued to be a thorn off the bench. With Juric coming into form at the end of the league season with Swiss side Luzern (scoring 3 in 3 to finish the campaign), alongside Cahill’s dip in form due to age, the spotlight shifts to a career highlight of leading the line in Russia for the Confederations Cup. Can he continue in his rich vein of form?

The Team

Carlos Queiroz made history on Monday night, becoming the first coach of Iran to guide the Persian Leopards to back-to-back World Cups. They did this in invincible style, going unbeaten in the final round of qualifiers, while keeping their sheets clean competitively since November 2015. While the quality of their opponents has considerably dropped in the last year, Iran’s performances keep improving, both tactically and personally they’re proving a force to be hold.

Queiroz’s defence first stance was understandable early on, without the correct attacking talent to really contest continentally, let alone on the world stage, as was seen in Brazil in 2014. A new breed of talent, headed by the precocious Sardar Azmoun (who opened the scoring on Monday) puts their attacking threat right up there with anyone in the region. Flanked by Alireza Jahanbakhsh, a player who may make another step up domestically in the summer, and Mehdi Taremi, who scored his 3rd in as many qualifiers against Uzbekistan, there’s youth and pace in a side that once was all about solidity.

So, how far can Iran go? They can’t complain that they haven’t had time, the writing’s been on the wall for months, and now that we sit exactly 1 year away from Russia, it should give them the appropriate time for a solid period of preparation. That’s one word that has often been misused by IFF and Queiroz in tandem; oddly timed domestic-only training camps have often proved divisive, while friendlies against worthwhile opponents have been difficult to arrange. The next 12 months will be priceless, but given their strong standpoint, every Asian football fan is looking forward to the end result.

The Talking Point

Maybe it’s just me, or have I missed the period when Uzbekistan were actually on form? As it stands they’re 1 point behind Korea Republic in Group B, 1 point away from the holy grail which is World Cup qualification. With only 1 win in their last 4, their form has at least been missing this calendar year, but looking back on the start of their campaign, has it ever been more than a lucky victory here and there, deployed from broadly men behind the ball tactics.

In March, I stated that Uzbekistan wouldn't qualify for Russia 2018, after an awful performance in Melaka, going down to nearest rivals Syria, before an undeserved 1-0 home win over Qatar. Now, when I said this I assumed even if they weren’t caught by Syria/Qatar/China below them, they would be out of contention in the playoff system; Saudi Arabia/Australia followed by USA would be far too much for this side. A few months down the line, little has changed, Uzbekistan are still awful, but side’s around them (including Korea ahead of them) seem to be throwing them a line.

Their final two matches; away in China followed by a home tie with Korea should be on current performances too much to catch the latter in home of the automatic places. With South Korea hosting Iran first off however, who knows what could happen by the beginning of September, Uzbekistan could well be representing Asia after all! I’ve long been a fan of Uzbekistan, but while a last minute wobble used to put them off the final hurdle, this time the system and confidence instilled by Samvel Babyan is dragging the team down. I’ll stand by my statement that Uzbekistan can’t qualify for Russia, with one amendment - unless they sack Babayan over the summer.