AFC Asian Cup 2011

[Dirko]

Now, before you say "What The!", Jabber is getting in bloody early, I'm not ! Believe it or not but qualifying for this tournament starts on the 28th January for the Socceroos.

The AFC Asian Cup 2011, will be held in Qatar contested by 16 teams. There are qualifying games right through to March 2010. Got to love Asia in there's so much Football, our team actually plays regularly and not some half arsed schedule like Oceania.

OK so the format. Well there are 5 teams plus the host who automatically qualify. So in so far are Qatar, Iraq through winning the 2007 title, Saudi Arabia the runners up in 2007 and Korea Republic who came third. The other two spots are taken by the winner of the AFC Challenge Cup, which is basically for the minnows of Asian Football and this is the only way these teams would ever get a chance to play in the big time. The 2008 winner was India, so they are in, and there is another one in 2010, with the winner going straight through.

There are 5 groups, with the WINNER of each group going through. The rankings were done on the 2007 results so Australia ranked 5th.

GROUP A
BAHRAIN
HONG KONG
JAPAN
YEMEN

GROUP B
AUSTRALIA
INDONESIA
KUWAIT
OMAN

GROUP C
MALAYSIA
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UZBEKISTAN

GROUP D
CHINA P.R.
LEBANON
SYRIA
VIETNAM

GROUP E
I.R. IRAN
JORDAN
SINGAPORE
THAILAND

[The Jack]

Gold Jabber, thanks for that! In Alpha magazine, they talk about being a pub genius, you only need to look at this website occasionally to become one! It will be interesting to see who dons the green and gold for the first qualifier. With it not being a recognized FIFA date, the team will be made up of mainly A-League players. Which means that over-rated hack Thompson will most likely be leading our line! Who from Adelaide should be considered do you think? Maybe we need to throw the Big O a jersey to keep Macedonia's dirty mitts off him! And it couldn't be said it wasn't deserved either. Surely Galekovic, Cornflakes, Reid, Jamieson and Dodd should be in the squad at least. Not necessarily in that order! Our experience in the ACL should be considered you would hope. I can't believe Dodd hasn't had more of a go lately. Surely he's one of the best players in the A-League? Everyone's thoughts?

[RoosterMarty]

It is ridiculous that qualifiers are held so early... but I guess a qualifier as soon as the 28th isn't a bad thing!

[Dirko]

It is ridiculous that qualifiers are held so early... but I guess a qualifier as soon as the 28th isn't a bad thing!

Yeah my thoughts too, but I guess with the World Cup going on in 2010 and qualifiers for that, they need to squeeze them in somehow...

As for the team. Will be primarily A-League based so that means Galekovich in goal, the Big O, Jamo & Doddy for sure. Maybe Reid and also Cornflakes....will be interesting !

[Pag]

Jamieson, Galekovic and Ognenovski should be shue-ins. Moore would captain the team you'd think, with Thompson, Griffiths and Smeltz to probably fight out the spots upfront.

[Dirko]

Smeltz is a kiwi !

[Pidge]

Smeltz and Dadi up front for Australia you reckon?

[Pag]

Smeltz is a kiwi !

I hadn't done any real research but I always assumed he was Australian. Cheers.