Tag: Australia

FIFA Ranking: Iran maintains its top Asia Ranking

Team Melli maintained the same ranking both in the World and in Asia in the latest FIFA Ranking for July 2016.

Iran Climbed remained 39th in the world , while staying as Number 1 in Asia.

in the monthly published ranking , Iran which had no matches last month accumulated a total of  674 down from the previous month of 688.  However , that was still  comfortably higher than the second place and  its closest rival South Korea  with 592 points while  Uzbekistan (569) narrowly overleaps Japan (564)  in third place.

In addition to South Korea and Uzbekistan Iran’s opponents in the World Cup qualifiers group are ranked as Follows: Qatar (79) followed by  China (81)  and Syria (104).

FIFA ranking

July 2016

Asia World Rank Team Total Points Previous Points +/-
 [1] 39 IRNIran 674 688 0
 [2] 48 KORKorea Republic 592 591 2
[3] 56 UZB  Uzbekistan 569 544 10
 [4] 57 JPNJapan 564 581 -4
 [5] 59 AUSAustralia 555 663 0
 [6] 65 KSASaudi Arabia 540 545 0
 [7] 74 UAEUnited Arab Emirates 484 517 -4
 [8] 78 JORJordan 438 434 2
 [9] 79
 QAT  Qatar 425 407 5
 [10] 81 CHN  China PR 422 423 0

Iran drawn against Korea Rep. again.

Iran was drawn with Korea Rep. , Uzbekistan , Qatar , China and Syria in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Final qualification rounds.

The draw was conducted by AFC General Secretary Dato Windsor John, with a helping hand from former Korea Republic star Park Ji-sung. Numerous personalities were in attendance, headed by the coaches of the teams that will contest the third round.

The latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking was used to split the 12-country field into six pots. These were then drawn into two groups of six teams, who will do battle for direct qualification to Russia 2018 between 1 September 2016 and 5 September 2017.

Both group winners and runners-up will go straight through to the 2018 World Cup. Meanwhile, the two teams that finish third will meet in a two-legged showdown on 5 and 10 October 2017. Whoever triumphs in this double-header will look to secure their spot at the finals in an intercontinental play-off – also to be played over two legs – against the fourth-placed country from CONCACAF qualifying.

Australia , the AFC Asian Cup title holders is grouped with Japan , Saudi Arabia, UAE , Thailand, and Iraq in group B.

The two teams Iran and Korea Rep. will renew their rivalry once again in the qualification for the World Cup. In the last encounter , the relationship between the coaches were making the headlines and as there was not love lost between Carlo Queiroz and the South Korean Choi KANG-HEE . The South Korean for all his rhetorics ended up in the losing side and eventually resigned his job, South Korea survived by the skin of their teeth after Uzbekistan failed to score one more goal to put them ahead on goal difference in the other group matches.

The draw avoided a potential problem for FIFA and AFC after the Saudi’s claimed they will refuse to play in Iran.

Iran, Japan, Korea Rep.,  Australia and Qatar are the top seeds for qualification. The first round will commence on 1st September 2016.

 

MATCHES SCHEDULE

Matchday One
September 01, 2016 Thursday Iran vs. Qatar – H

Matchday Two
September 06, 2016 Tuesday China vs. Iran – A

Matchday Three
October 06, 2016 Thursday Uzbekistan vs. Iran – A

Matchday Four
October 11, 2016 Tuesday Iran vs.  South Korea – H

Matchday Five
November 15, 2016 Tuesday  Syria  vs. Iran – A

Matchday Six
March 23, 2017 Thursday Qatar vs. Iran – A

Matchday Seven
March 28, 2017 Tuesday Iran vs  China – H

Matchday Eight
June 13, 2017 Tuesday Iran vs. Uzbekistan – H

Matchday Nine
August 31, 2017 Thursday South Korea vs. Iran – A

Matchday Ten
September 5th, 2017 Iran vs. Syria – H

Iran up 2 places in FIFA ranking March 2016

 Team Melli maintained it top place in the Asian FIFA Ranking while climbing two steps up to number 42 in the world.
 
According to the latest FIFA ranking published today for the month of March in Zürich, Iran was ranked ahead of Senegal while one rank below Denmark.
In Asia , Iran was top with 672 points followed by Australia with 601, Korea Republic 579  and Japan 577.
2016 (100 %) 2015 (50 %) 2014 (30 %) 2013 (20 %)
Rank Team Total Points Previous Points +/- Positions Avg. AVG WGT Avg. AVG WGT Avg. AVG WGT Avg. AVG WGT
42 IRNIran 672(672.3) 627 2 321.98 321.98 336.87 168.43 439.32 131.80 250.48 50.10
50 AUSAustralia 601(600.64) 506 17 353.81 353.81 272.17 136.09 240.62 72.19 192.79 38.56
56 KORKorea Republic 579(579.33) 566 1 304.20 304.20 312.46 156.23 217.75 65.32 267.84 53.57
57 JPNJapan 577(577.02) 575 -1 266.44 266.44 335.96 167.98 213.61 64.08 392.56 78.51
60 KSASaudi Arabia 559(559.01) 562 0 380.91 380.91 118.20 59.10 297.06 89.12 149.41 29.88
66 UZBUzbekistan 549(548.8) 484 8 311.74 311.74 181.07 90.54 303.39 91.02 277.53 55.51
68 UAEUnited Arab Emirates 521(520.95) 517 -4 256.74 256.74 242.20 121.10 291.77 87.53 277.90 55.58
81 CHNChina PR 423(423.24) 351 15 234.48 234.48 245.50 122.75 132.40 39.72 131.43 26.29
82 JORJordan 418(418.02) 414 0 257.18 257.18 61.72 30.86 272.08 81.62 241.77 48.35
83 QATQatar 416(415.92) 441 -3 251.18 251.18 171.62 85.81 160.54 48.16 153.89 30.78
99 OMAOman 346(346.42) 342 -2 176.62 176.62 124.70 62.35 242.23 72.67 173.89 34.78
100 KGZKyrgyzstan 340(340.42) 324 5 255.80 255.80 66.96 33.48 41.48 12.44 193.50 38.70
105 IRQIraq 333(332.97) 371 -14 157.68 157.68 218.68 109.34 119.25 35.78 150.88 30.18
110 SYRSyria 316(316.38) 279 13 207.54 207.54 131.58 65.79 85.69 25.71 86.70 17.34

Vahid Shamsaee wins AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2015 award

New Delhi: Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation’s Annual Awards extravaganza was held to much acclaim in New Delhi, India on Sunday.

On a night when the AFC acknowledged the continent’s best players, officials and administrators, there can be little doubt that the high profile gathering in the Indian capital was nothing short of a resounding success.

From an impassioned speech about Asian football’s rise to power and bright future courtesy of AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, to stellar cultural performances and the crowning of the AFC Player of the Year, the evening provided something for everyone as glitz and glamour shared the stage with the continent’s finest.

Here’s a full list of the 2015 AFC Annual Awards winners:

AFC Member Association of the Year

Inspiring
Japan Football Association

Developing
Hong Kong Football Association

Aspiring
Bangladesh Football Federation

AFC Dream Asia Award

Chinese Football Association
Japan Football Association
Vietnam Football Federation

AFC National Team of the Year

Men
Australia National Team

Women
Japan Women’s National Team

AFC Coach of the Year

Men
Ange Postecoglou (AUS)

Women
Asako Takakura (JPN)

AFC Player of the Year

Men
Ahmed Khalil (UAE)

Women
To be announced at a later date

AFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football

Inspiring
Japan

Developing
Vietnam

Aspiring
Brunei Darussalam

AFC Fair Play Association of the Year

Japan Football Association

AFC Club of the Year

Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)

AFC Futsal Player of the Year

Vahid Shamsaee (IRN)

AFC Futsal Team of the Year

Tasisat Daryaei (IRN)

AFC Youth Player of the Year

Men
Dostonbek Khamdamov (UZB)

Women
Rikako Kobayashi (JPN)

AFC Foreign Player of the Year

Ricardo Goulart Pereira (BRA)

AFC Asian International Player of the Year

Son Heung-min (KOR)

 

Individual Honors of Vahid Shamsaee

Iran leads AFC ranking .

Iran continued leading Asia in the FIFA Ranking table published today by the World football governing body in Zurich.

With a total of 716 points, Iran climbed to no 38 in the world , which is its highest ranking in 2015. This was a 3 step climb from last month at 41. Japan  remains second with 621 points and 50th in the world. Korea Rep and Australia maintain their chase to catch up.

Iran’s last match was a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Turkmenistan in the FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers.

Argentina, which beat Iran in the last World Cup , climb at the top of the World Ranking ahead of Germany, while recently crowned Copa America Champions Chile climbed 8 places up to no 11. On March 26th, Team Melli beat Chile 2-0 with Javad Nkounam and Vahid Amiri goals in in NV Arena, St Pölten – Austria as part of the two teams’ preparations for their upcoming official matches.

 

 

Team Melli vs UAE AFC Asian Cup 2015

 

 

AFC

Rank

 FIFA

Rank

 TEAM Total Points Previous Points Positions Avg. 2015

AVG WGT

 2015 Avg.
 1 38 IRN

Iran

 716(716.27) 717 3 437.18 437.18
 2 50 JPN

Japan

 621(620.98) 623 2 341.48 341.48
 3 52 KOR

Korea Republic

 608(607.70) 587 6 371.92 371.92
 4 59 AUS

Australia

 559(559.29) 532 4 364.41 364.41
 5 69 UAE

United Arab Emirates

 487(487.14) 496 4 245.05 245.05
 6 75 UZB

Uzbekistan

 453(452.76) 479 -1 181.07 181.07
 7 77 CHN

China PR

 436(436.43) 409 2 271.46 271.46
 8 86 IRQ

Iraq

 382(381.99) 381 0 205.01 205.01
 9 92 JOR

Jordan

 355(354.72) 316 11 102.61 102.61
 10 92 KSA

Saudi Arabia

 355(354.52) 329 6 160.94 160.94

 

 

 

Iran RANKING DATA for 2015

Rank Year Month MP W L D
38 2015 July 2 1 0 1
41 2015 June 0 0 0 0
40 2015 May 0 0 0 0
40 2015 April 2 1 1 0
42 2015 March 0 0 0 0
41 2015 February 4 3 0 1
51 2015 January 0 0 0 0

 

OPPONENTS ranking in the FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

 

 

AFC Rank World Rank TEAM total Points Previous Points +/-
 12 102 Oman 329 319 -1
25 152 Turkmenistan 167 99 21
 27 154 Guam 163 119 20
 28 156 India 161 161 -15

 

Iran maintains Top FIFA ranking in Asia.

Iran climbed two places up in the latest FIFA ranking issued today.

After the European tour where Team Melli defeated Chile and then lost to Sweden , Iran’s ranking in the table improved to maintain the top position in Asian followed by Japan and South Korea. Australia , The AFC Asian Cup holder was ranked 4th.

At world level , World Cup holder Germany continues at the top followed by Argentina , Belgium , Colombia and Brazil.

 

AFC Teams Ranking

Rank Total Points Previous Points +/-   Avg. AVG WGT Avg. AVG WGT Avg. AVG WGT Avg.  AVG WGT
40 IRNIran 689(689.43) 692 2 336.87 336.87 439.32 219.66 250.48 75.14 288.80 57.76
50 JPNJapan 614(613.94) 617 3 335.96 335.96 213.61 106.81 392.56 117.77 267.01 53.40
57 KORKorea Republic 575(575.44) 594 -1 312.46 312.46 217.75 108.87 267.84 80.35 368.81 73.76
63 AUSAustralia 531(531.08) 549 2 272.17 272.17 240.62 120.31 192.79 57.84 403.82 80.76
68 UAEUnited Arab Emirates 501(500.59) 523 1 242.20 242.20 291.77 145.88 277.90 83.37 145.70 29.14
73 UZBUzbekistan 476(476.22) 483 -1 181.07 181.07 303.39 151.69 277.53 83.26 301.00 60.20
82 CHNChina PR 408(408.01) 423 1 245.50 245.50 132.40 66.20 131.43 39.43 284.41 56.88
86 IRQIraq 385(384.76) 353 11 218.68 218.68 119.25 59.63 150.88 45.26 305.95 61.19
95 KSASaudi Arabia 349(349.39) 339 4 118.20 118.20 297.06 148.53 149.41 44.82 189.20 37.84
97 OMAOman 341(341.11) 356 -1 124.70 124.70 242.23 121.11 173.89 52.17 215.63 43.13
99 QATQatar 337(336.65) 300 10 171.62 171.62 160.54 80.27 153.89 46.17 192.94 38.59
103 JORJordan 316(316.20) 326 -2 61.72 61.72 272.08 136.04 241.77 72.53 229.57 45.91
108 BHRBahrain 299(298.85) 319 -4 147.44 147.44 151.92 75.96 120.79 36.24 196.05 39.21
125 VIEVietnam 229(228.83) 220 5 96.12 96.12 119.71 59.86 61.37 18.41 272.19 54.44
126 SYRSyria 225(224.74) 141 26 131.58 131.58 85.69 42.85 86.70 26.01 121.51 24.30

10 places up in FIFA ranking for Team Melli.

Team Melli climbed 10 places up in the latest FIFA/Coca Cola ranking issued today in Zurich.  Iran is now 41st in the world with 700 points one rank below Poland and one above its group rival in the World Cup 2014  , Nigeria who are 42nd.

Iran continues to hold the top ranking in Asia, with South Korea placed second with 608 points followed by Japan with 605 on third. Australia, the Asian Cup winner has fourth with a massive 37 places rise in the table.

The Asian teams climbs are all attributed to the results of the recent Asian Cup 2015 held in Australia.

 

 

Rank Team Total Points Previous Points +/- AVG 

2015

 Avg. 

2014

 AVG WGT

2014

 Avg.

2013

 AVG WGT

2013
41 IRN      Iran 700(700.50) 588 10 342.12 444.24 222.12 242.98 72.89
54 KOR     Korea Republic 608(608.24) 487 15 343.57 225.59 112.80 277.31 83.19
55 JPN     Japan 605(604.87) 563 -1 327.02 205.07 102.53 386.87 116.06
63 AUS     Australia 548(548.21) 329 37 272.38 259.19 129.59 229.34 68.80
66 UAEUnited Arab Emirates 529(528.94) 408 14 245.47 377.77 188.88 241.93 72.58
71 UZB     Uzbekistan 493(492.64) 464 0 202.48 287.67 143.84 331.28 99.38
82 CHN     China PR 429(429.19) 339 14 244.98 189.38 94.69 140.03 42.01
91 OMA     Oman 368(367.51) 346 2 146.02 255.33 127.66 167.45 50.23
94 IRQ     Iraq 360(360.10) 269 20 225.82 59.48 29.74 163.04 48.91
97 JOR     Jordan 353(352.54) 346 -4 102.88 310.32 155.16 160.85 48.25
98 KSA     Saudi Arabia 351(351.10) 318 4 122.58 297.06 148.53 127.91 38.37
103 BHR    Bahrain 322(322.48) 292 7 162.53 183.65 91.82 108.93 32.68
109 QAT     Qatar 305(305.34) 347 -17 141.62 150.66 75.33 173.98 52.19

 

Bright new stars light up Asia.

(FIFA.com) Tuesday 3 February 2015

The 2015 edition of the AFC Asian Cup provided high-quality and entertaining football throughout the 32-match, three-week competition. Among the most attractive aspects were the performances of a host of youngsters who put themselves into the spotlight and proved they are likely to be grabbing headlines during the build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ and beyond.

FIFA.com takes a look at five names that shone brightly at Australia 2015.

Omar Abdulrahman (United Arab Emirates)
No player cut such a distinctive figure as mop-haired United Arab Emirates ace Omar Abdulrahman. The Al Ain-based No10 delivered in every department, featuring prominently in each TV highlights reel from the tournament. The Riyadh-born midfielder of Yemeni extraction has a repertoire of flicks and tricks that would be the envy of any futsal superstar, while his left-foot slalom dribbles boast a hint of Diego Maradona during the Argentine’s mid-1980s pomp. Abdulrahman provided four assists among UAE’s ten goals in their run to the semi-finals. His passing and understanding with free-running forwards Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed Khalil helped the pair share nine goals, and ensures the UAE will be dangerous opponents heading into Russia 2018 qualifying. Though he made his national team debut back in 2010, Abdulrahman has now made a definitive statement on the international stage.

Massimo Luongo (Australia)
Arguably no one was as influential in Australia’s charge to their maiden Asian Cup crown as Massimo Luongo. So much so that the previously unheralded Sydneysider was named player of the Asian Cup for his tournament-high involvement in six goals (including four assists). That the 22-year-old Luongo wasn’t expected to be in the Socceroo starting side at the beginning of January makes his rise all the more meteoric. Luongo is an all-action, attack-minded central midfielder who likes to dribble at pace, link with fellow attackers and position himself between the lines. The Swindon Town-based Luongo was the only third-tier player to feature in the final, yet his all-round game was pivotal in Australia’s win over Korea Republic. His desperate block of Son Heungmin’s shot in defence was almost immediately followed by a classy turn and strike at the other end for the game’s opening goal.

Massimo Luongo

Sardar Azmoun (Iran)
Iran‘s big-name stars were to some degree eclipsed by a lean, newly-capped striker who garnered many of the headlines. Sardar Azmoun scored arguably the goal of the tournament with a deft balletic turn and prodded finish to net the only goal of the game against Qatar, securing a win which ultimately ensured Team Melli qualified at the top of their group. All this from a player who turned 20 just days prior to the tournament, and who had scored his first international goal only two months earlier. Azmoun, the son of an international volleyballer, was picked up by Russia’s Rubin Kazan at just 17 and has since been linked with numerous major clubs in Europe. The tall and athletically built forward seems to have all the potential needed to be an Iran star for years to come.

Sardar Amoun

Abdelkarim Hassan (Qatar)
Though Qatar exited in the group stage, the class of left-sided defender Abdelkarim Hassan is evidence of a bright future for Al Annabi. Hassan, a graduate of the famed Aspire Academy in Doha, not only boasts strong athletic capabilities but also a natural game sense. Watching Hassan push down the flanks and linking with team-mates, it is hard to believe he is still only 21, though now in his fifth year of senior football. Along with the likes of striker Mohammed Muntari, Hassan represents the vanguard of young players that could form the basis of Qatar’s team when they host the 2022 World Cup.

ِAbdulkarim Hassan Fadhallah

Lee Jeonghyeop (Korea Republic)
Lee Jeonghyeop proved to be another unlikely star of the 2015 Asian Cup. Uncapped prior to this year and away from the spotlight at unglamorous Sangju Sangmu, Lee suddenly found himself a pivotal part of Uli Stielike’s forward line as Korea Republic marched all the way to the final. Tall and boasting trademark South Korean spirit, Lee netted twice, celebrating with an army salute to acknowledge his military service. The winner against Australia in the group stage and the semi-final opener against Iraq proved crucial goals for an injury-hit South Korean side missing the considerable talents of Koo Jacheol and Lee Chungyong.

Lee Jeong Hyeop

Australia lifts the AFC Asian Cup.

AUSTRALIA has been crowned champion of Asia after a thrilling 2-1 win against South Korea in tonight’s Asian Cup final.

James Troisi’s extra time strike proved the difference as the home side delivered a performance a whole nation can be proud of.

“It has to be our biggest achievement, we won a trophy,” former Socceroo John Aloisi said.

Massimo Luongo — who was named player of the tournament — further enhanced his reputation as a man to carry the national team into the post-Tim Cahill era by scoring the opening goal.

South Korea spoiled the party by equalising in second half injury time, but Australia bounced back in extra time.

“I’m no good for words right now, I’m just super proud of everyone … I couldn’t be happier,” Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said.

“The courage the players showed tonight was enormous.

“I knew we’d finish stronger. We pride ourselves on being fit … it was just a matter of taking our chances and we did it.”

Postecoglou was thrilled with what the victory could do for the game in Australia.

“I know the whole country will be off their couches and won’t be able to sleep tonight,” he said.

“Hopefully from now on our Aussies can take on the world.”

The only negative on a banner night for the world game Down Under was what appeared to be another serious injury to Robbie Kruse.

Continue reading for all the highlights of the game.

News leaks: AFC awarded UAE the hosting of Asian Cup 2019.

In Sydney , sources have leaked news that the AFC has already decided on the next hosting of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. Two countries have been shortlisted for the hosting, Iran and UAE. Both sides have claimed the support of the majority of the voting associations, but AFC has not indicated anything so far to put some light on the selected host nation. However, the news leak indicates that UAE has a lead on Iran and will be announced as the host in unspecified date.

Most of the work by the inspection teams and their reports are already completed.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said a date had not been set for a decision on whether Iran or United Arab Emirates would host the 24-team showpiece event.

“Probably in 2015, by next year we will decide,” the Bahraini royal told reporters in the last AFC gathering in Manila on late November.

Asked if the decision would be made at the AFC’s Congress in January prior to the 16-team Asian Cup, he added: “No. Some time in the middle of the year.”

The UAE are favorites to add yet another sporting event to their resume as hosts, but the Iranian bid claimed to receive support from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who visited Tehran last year.

Shaikh Salman said he had no preference.

“No we will leave that to the people taking that responsibility. They have to analyze them and bring it to the ex-co so we can decide.”

Hosting the event involves high cost and limits the number of AFC members who can realistically stage it. Australia were the only bidders for the 2015 event and 11 ‘interested’ bids for 2019 quickly became two.

Meanwhile , Australia defeated UAE 2-0 in the second semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Newcastle to set a date with their nemesis South Korea on Saturday for the penultimate match of the competition.

South Korea and Australia have already met in the group stages , with the Koreans narrowly beating the host 1 – 0.