AFCON & Asian Cup Mega Thread

more freds.

Asian Cup kicks off today. Being hosted, of course, in Qatar.

Japan, South Korea, Iran and Australia favourites. My pick is Japan. 6 groups of 4, top 2 qualify + 4 best runners-up.

First round of fixtures:

Friday, Jan. 12
Group A: Qatar vs. Lebanon

Saturday, Jan. 13
Group B: Australia vs. India
Group A: China vs. Tajikistan
Group B: Uzbekistan vs. Syria

Sunday, Jan. 14
Group D: Japan vs. Vietnam
Group C: United Arab Emirates vs. Hong Kong
Group C: Iran vs. Palestine

Monday, Jan. 15
Group E: South Korea vs. Bahrain
Group D: Indonesia vs. Iraq
Group E: Malaysia vs. Jordan

Tuesday, Jan. 16
Group F: Thailand vs. Kyrgyz Republic
Group F: Saudi Arabia vs. Oman


AFCON

Starts on Saturday, hosted in Ivory Coast. Hosts also appear to be bookies favourites, alongside Morocco, Senegal and Algeria. My pick is the hosts to win it all.

6 groups of 4, top 2 qualify + 4 best runners-up.

Saturday 13 January
Group A: Ivory Coast vs Guinea-Bissau

Sunday 14 January
Group A: Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea
Group B: Egypt vs Mozambique
Group B: Ghana vs Cape Verde

Monday 15 January
Group C: Senegal vs The Gambia
Group C: Cameroon vs Guinea
Group D: Algeria vs Angola

Tuesday 16 January

Group D: Burkina Faso vs Mauritania
Group E: Tunisia vs Namibia
Group E: Mali vs South Africa

Wednesday 17 January
Group F: Morocco vs Tanzania
Group F: DR Congo vs Zambia

Asia Cup would usually be some good viewing at work but because they've sold out to the sand crew, many games are on a night so it'll clash with AFCON, and there's only one winner there.

The amount of football over the next month, buzzing :drool:

Fancy Hezbollah to get something today against Qatar.

AC Notes:

- Only Japan and SK can surely win. Iran have a fucking idiot in charge and everyone else doesn't have the talent to compete. Uzbekistan are the up and comers but maybe coming a little too early for their young talent.

- Because of the above, it may be a very competitive affair with some nice results for minnow nations. Do like the idea of Palestine possibly going deep too a la Iraq 2007.

AFCON notes:

- Senegal and Ivory Coast only sides that look like they can compete with the North African brotherhood of Algeria, Egypt and Morroco. Hopefully Egypt storm it though for Mo.

- Hopefully the football isn't as god awful as 2021.

I am quite interested to see if Afcon is going to see a few sides attempt the modern style with the high press and whatnot. I can't think of anything less suited for African conditions than a high intensity running and quick tempo short passing game. So I imagine it will still be a clogfest, but with the usual points of difference that make it such a fun tournament.

Hang on, is Onana in the Cameroon squad? Is he just sacking off their opening game for United's game this weekend or is he in the throes of one of those Cameroonian retirements that seem to affect a lot of their players?

The former. I don't think he's played for them since flouncing out of the last World Cup because Rigo asked him to kick it long. Clearly just thinks he's bigger than playing for them.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Hang on, is Onana in the Cameroon squad? Is he just sacking off their opening game for United's game this weekend or is he in the throes of one of those Cameroonian retirements that seem to affect a lot of their players?

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He apparently was planning on playing for United then flying and playing for Cameroon.

He's now decided to play for United at the weekend, will skip the first Cameroon game and then fly out.

Hopefully the other keeper gets settled and they don't change them all tournament.

Are any channels doing MOTD type highlight shows for either of these?

Of course not, brav. You're in fucking brexitland not some actual football country.

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State of media in this country :D

Not very diverse, they need a strategy meeting to adress it and set up some targets.

Presumably one of them is Omar Sy, off to steal the trophy.

BBC must've grabbed this at the last opportunity. I'm ready. :drool:

The Beeb coverage is a little easier on the eye and the commentary a little easier on the ears.

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https://media.tenor.com/CAEyorifT40A...if-i-speak.gif

Tempo and press is quite good in this game, bodes well.

It really is noticeable how much the west African crowd loves a skill move, regardless of outcome. No time for the collective over there, it's all about individual expression. The opposite of the folks across the desert.

Can't imagine we'll see a worse attacking outfit than GNB. Horrendous.

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Originally Posted by Don

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Scenes in progress as Egypt's 1-0 half time lead against Mozambique has been turned into a 1-2 deficit by the hour.

Of course Egypt are going to go out in the group stages and Salah is back before the end of the month

Salah has been awful, although it looks as though they're going to salvage something with a late penalty.

Of course Salah would score that penalty.

Isn't he always pretty terrible for Egypt? Whenever I've watched them it's been the likes of Trezeguet carrying the main threat.

Egypt spending more time in the barbers than on the training pitch.

Salah's penalty clouted the post pretty hard but enough angle to go in on the other side.

Chris Hughton's Ghana now stinking the place up, despite firing in an equaliser just now that was VAR'd on the old line of sight chestnut.

Cape Verde genuinely dominated Ghana there lol

Yes my chucking them onto a Sunday evening acca based on history was foolish in hindsight.

Rigobert Song has the look of a man who has no idea where he is.

What a cross that is.

Wins for both Iraq and Jordan today which are the two origin nations of my best buddy the Arab. I asked him which one he was backing in the tournament, he said he didn't care and was only bothered about 'Barshelona' and their 4-1 thumping at the hands of Real Madrid.

Such a shame he's offside because that is stunning.

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The technique is beautiful.

Missed the first half of Tunisia/Namibia but surely this has 1-0 Tunisia written all over it.

Absolute dross but this is what it's all about. Commentators (Sky) are class.

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Originally Posted by Ben

Absolute dross but this is what it's all about. Commentators (Sky) are class.

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Yeah the commentators are great, these lads should be on every game.

Namibia :cool:

Banging cross in and the commentator reactions was brilliant.

Nice to hear commentators react like fans of the game for once.

Chalk AFCON up for having better VAR than us too.

Unreal result for Namibia. Carthage might have their work cut out qualifying now.

I love how the main commentator is saying Percy Tau's name.

"Passy Tau".

Tom Kerridge on co-comms in the Bristol game never ceases to amaze me.

"The referee makes it clear the only thing you're allowed to kick on the pitch, is the ball"

Absolutely majestic commentary from these African fellows.

Oooooo, I didn't realise Avram Grant was here.

Edit: Holy shit, Gael Kakuta too. What a throwback.

Gael Kakuta currently playing his club football alongside Andy Carroll.

Oh dear DR Congo.

Kakuta was coming through during the period when I was going to Chelsea quite a lot, and he was one of those few young players who was genuinely thrilling to watch. Tiny little bloke darting in every direction like a flea. You could see why they were willing to get a transfer ban to get their mits on him. Guess it didn't work out because he was ultimately not strong enough physically.

Zambia are Afcon royalty, DRC are always about 500% less than the sum of their parts, and their parts are not too hot these days either.

That however is a nice goal.

That's a classic AFCON goal. No tournament like it.

I'm surprised DR Congo are still using Bakambu.

Although that wasn't a bad pass by him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Manc

That's a classic AFCON goal. No tournament like it.

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This is the best one for years, based on the first round of games. Teams are actually going for it full throttle and the 'smaller' nations have no fear. Refereeing not as catastrophic as usual yet either.

Great run and pass by wissa, followed by an absolute comedy finish from bakambu. Quality.

That's never a pen.

I thought the idea with handball was that the ball has to hit your hand? A bit beyond this commentator, logically.

How has Avram Grant not aged? Is it just that he looked ancient when he wasn't?

He's immortal and was actually born looking like that.

It's a blessing and a curse.

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Originally Posted by Kikó

How has Avram Grant not aged? Is it just that he looked ancient when he wasn't?

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He is so incongruous here, it's marvellous. Looks like a weary Soviet attaché.

This commentator is amazing as well. 'At one point Meshack Elia had a FIFA suspension for...' *audibly checks notes* '...falsifying identity'. *Awkward silence*

Yeah, just leave it there mate, we don't want to know any details.

Why is Wissa passing there? Fucking fool.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

This commentator is amazing as well. 'At one point Meshack Elia had a FIFA suspension for...' *audibly checks notes* '...falsifying identity'. *Awkward silence*

Yeah, just leave it there mate, we don't want to know any details.

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That was brilliant, he clearly went down a hole he didn't want to be in.

The DRC are a hot mess.

I see the Zambia goal yesterday has really kicked off the minstrelsy. Got people who wouldn't be able to differentiate between Libya and Labia sharing it with "I love AFCON football :D".

On the AC front, it's been the usual load of entertaining matches with minnows continuing their development but still struggling to score so little interest until end of group stages. We could well be left with the exact same 16 as 2019.

VAR has been flawless at AFCON.

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Originally Posted by Don

I see the Zambia goal yesterday has really kicked off the minstrelsy. Got people who wouldn't be able to differentiate between Libya and Labia sharing it with "I love AFCON football :D".

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:lol:

Chris Hughton as Ghana manager? Fucking hell.

'mon Chris Hughton's Ghana.

This game already has the feeling of being an absolute shambles.

Commentary doesn't help.

Very disappointed to have an Englishman on the commentary.

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Chris Hughton as Ghana manager? Fucking hell.

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He's been there ages. Once they sack him we're getting him unfortunately.

Egypt to resort to full on shit-housery now that Salah is injured.

I swear Salah gets injured every time he puts on the Egypt shirt.

HE'S BACK, HE'S BACK, HE'S BACK, HE'S BACK :D

Quality strike from Kudus.

Non-league goalkeeping there.

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Egypt to resort to full on shit-housery now that Salah is injured.

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As if they are anything other than that all the time.

That was a quality through ball from the Ghanaian to Marmoush.

Couldn't have pulled out a better pass if he tried.

Kudus is such a good player though.

Keeper with an absolute nightmare though.

Yeah, the goalie is something else.

Yeah though

This game has picked up massively.

Heads have gone.

Herve Renard in the crowd :wub:

He knew it wouldn't be an AFCON without him.

He was in the posh seats at another game the other day, maybe he steps in for Infantino when the latter is busy in his volcano lair.

Iraq 2-0 against Japan at halftime.

Massive.

Iraq won 2-1.
Vietnam - Indonesia just about to kick off, hopefully there are lots of red cards and goals.

For your enjoyment https://www.youtube.com/live/bIeF7Rb...qyyx76UmFbQDZn

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That keeper got concrete boots on?

Mozambique goalkeepers = proper AFCON heritage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSRIw5PjfM

Oh lord how have I never seen that before. :lol:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Mozambique goalkeepers = proper AFCON heritage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSRIw5PjfM

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This is easily my favourite AFCON moment. I've watched it so many times.

Sylla summing up this match with that effort.

Looked at Bebe's wiki and the fact he declared for Cape Verde and they didn't call him up for AFCON that year has tickled me :D

Zambia in a lot of trouble if they don't manage to turn this around.

The Ivory Coast kit is an abomination.

So is their team. You can't go out of the Afcon in the group as hosts, surely. Ref has a big part to play in the last half hour.

What a lovely free kick.

RIP in pieces Ivory Coast.

They're right in the shit now. Offensively bad defending by Willy Boly to thank.

The manager is absolutely awful. Spent his life as an assman and it shows.

:cool:

Drogba SEETHING.

:lol:

Not sure I agree with the characterisation of Eq G as tiny underdogs though, hardly any of them have set foot in the country in their lives, this is a squad of hardened Spanish professionals, many of them lower league but they're in a strong system.

Nsue what a legend. Was a great right-back for Boro but seems to be like Pele for these lot. :D

Ivory Coast meltdown hilarious.

Big fan of the camera man zooming in on Kouame mid meltdown.

How they ended up 1v2 literally straight from kickoff is a case for Belgium's finest detective.

I make it that they can still go through with a far from unlikely set of results:

DRC and Morocco both win
Mali win and Tunisia don't win
Gambia v Cameroon draw
Ghana v Mozambique draw

Any two of the above will do.

This has been some collapse.

If I were president of the Ivory Coast and had suitable tropico-style constitutional powers, I'd probably imprison the squad for a couple of years. May or may not take up the Equatorial Guinea method of feeding them to lions.

Looks like we're in full on riot territory, send Didier down to make peace.

Cape Verde aren't messing about.

Shame about Ivory Coast.

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Cote d'Phwoar

I must have missed Cape Verde and Equatorial Guinea becoming continental powerhouses.

Spain D and Portugal C, innit. Morocco are France/Holland B. Egypt will fall behind due to the lack of such a connection.

Egypt are coming so close to a winner here.

That's been coming.

Nice finish.

Egyptian bench are proper scumbags.

Ghana :lol:

That's great news for Ivory Coast.

lol at Egypt finishing 2nd with 3 draws

China, after two 0-0 draws, found themselves 1-0 down in their final game and asking themselves "should we look to score or protect the 0-1"? Three qualifiers out of four is full-blown pancreatic cancer.

Surely they're (sesame prawn) toast at 2pts with the fixtures remaining. It is endlessly fascinating to me how bad they are at football, particularly having made the World Cup 20 years ago and appeared to be on the rise.

You'd think so but Palestine and Syria could finish on same points as them yet have a worse GD and discplinary points, respectively. It means nothing for these purposes but if every international tournament is going to become this, then it's fucked.

Every international tournament has become this, hasn't it? WC, Euros, Afcon and Asian all are.

If they need this many teams to make a living, then they should all go to 32 and WC should go to 64. No one will die if Malawi or the Philippines take a few strays in the process.

Nice hit.

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Originally Posted by Ben

Nsue what a legend. Was a great right-back for Boro but seems to be like Pele for these lot. :D

Ivory Coast meltdown hilarious.

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This was new news to me as I remembered him as a very promising striker from FM2007.

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Originally Posted by John Arne

Nice hit.

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Paul Scholes-esque.

More utter chaos in this Gambia v Cameroon game. Long live four team groups.

Gambia just tried to hand of god one and the referee gave it, VAR did him in the end.

I hope it was Wor Minteh.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEjJZa4W...jpg&name=large

Wheeled away and everything, probably would have counted without VAR.

That's just wonderful.

Fuck VAR, that's tremendous. :D

Algeria in serious trouble.

Angolan keeper with a quality bit of African goalkeepering.

Bounedjah time wasting in the hopes that VAR gift Algeria a penalty :harold:

Mauritania :cool:

What a time to win your first AFCON game.

Through to the last 16.

Algérie are shite, how can you lose to Mauritania.

I make it they are playing Cape Verde in the knockouts too, which is an unusual local derby.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Algérie are shite, how can you lose to Mauritania.

I make it they are playing Cape Verde in the knockouts too, which is an unusual local derby.

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Alright Ital.

Big fan of the hosts sacking their manager mid-tournament.

The right decision tbh, his selection decisions have been absolutely barmy.

Would be funny if they now went on to win it, which isn't impossible. Need South Africa to do them a favour tonight though.

I think the article is wrong about them having "faint hopes" of qualifying for the last 16. A Morocco win tonight alone will do it.

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Originally Posted by -james-

I think the article is wrong about them having "faint hopes" of qualifying for the last 16. A Morocco win tonight alone will do it.

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Nope.

If Tanzania beat the Doctors and Namibia draw (or Tunisia win by a goal I think) then they'd be out.

They need 2 of 4 quite likely results, but then this is Afcon so who knows.

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Nope.

If Tanzania beat the Doctors and Namibia draw (or Tunisia win by a goal I think) then they'd be out.

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You are right. My main point was that "faint hopes" is clearly wrong (Tanzania are 6/1).

Interesting thing about these games (0-0 in both into the second half) is that only one of the four teams, Tunisia, needs a goal.

0-0 now suits both Morocco and Zambia so you'd expect that's what it will be.

11/4 the draw if anyone fancies the cynic's approach.

So Ivory Coast now need Morocco to win and Tanzania to draw or lose for them to go through.

Zambia yet to really catch fire. Tonight could be the night.

Ivory Coast going through as things stand.

Patson Daka has been abysmal.

Ivory Coast are through then.

To play Senegal, which is very much a b-tier version of being through.

Very good last 16 draw in that all games should be close on paper.

Have they announced their new manager?

Emerse Fae, which is a name to remember if anyone ever asks for a list of all Ivorian PL players in the trivia thread. Eight games for Reading in 2008.

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Have they announced their new manager?

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Hervé Renard on loan :cool:

:cool:

That is taking the piss :D

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Hervé Renard on loan :cool:

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:lol:

Now it's a proper AFCON.

Some very funky business going on in AC, either SK are throwing games or the AFCON shit-for-brains approach to international football is spreading. Or, much more likely, Klinsmann is fucking incompetent.

Either way, knockouts set, proper football begins now. Good to see Indonesia make it too given their size and passion for the game.

Angola down to ten men. Namibia with a real chance to make history here.

They don't look like they're the ones down to 10.

RIP in pieces Namibia.

It was fun.

This is some collapse.

What a mental few minutes.

Nigeria v Cameroon in its first couple of minutes. Daniel Amokachi on co-comms and someone who's had too much lemonade doing the play by play. Football 'eritage.

Is that the Welsh fella? He peaked incredibly early in the Egypt v Cape Verde game. Ended with something along the lines of "Not even the Gods in ancient Egypt have seen such drama".

Not sure what the keeper was doing.

Defenders looked shell shocked.

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Originally Posted by Manc

Is that the Welsh fella? He peaked incredibly early in the Egypt v Cape Verde game. Ended with something along the lines of "Not even the Gods in ancient Egypt have seen such drama".

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Yes, light Welsh accent, he literally hasn't stopped talking from the start of the game.

Not sure what is ruling this out.

BBC Three also showing the game. A much more relaxed vibe.

Thank god for that. I was about to have a seizure. Amokachi is having to shout over him just to get the occasional word in.

That's much better, the geezer wouldn't stop.

Great from Osimhen but that is shocking keeping.

Keeper did all he could really, it was the defender who fucked it up.

Rigo Song probably lacking a clue here.

Aboubakar to the rescue.

Business is about to pick up.

I'm probably in a minority of one but that kind of impact on a goalkeeper should be an automatic red card, no matter how accidental. If you're not in control of your own movement and it leads to a dangerous impact at that kind of force, that's on you.

Goodbye Cameroon.

A mixed day for Cameroonian managers.

Nigeria look much better in this game. Might be that they've finally found the formula. Lookman a key part of it, Osimhen is far better when he has someone up there to link up with.

Fuck, Roger Milla looking sad in the stands, don't do this to me.

That Angola goal and this combined has them as the people's champ.

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Guinea with both Keita & Guirassy on the bench. EG well worth taking on at 3/1.

It's all gone wrong for EQG. Down to ten and a missed penalty.

Poor EQG.

I always find them a bit phoney, so am pleased for Guinea, who are a bit of a sleeping giant I think.

Next game could be a shitter.

I was going to ask what Naby is doing with himself these days, but I see he's at Werder Bremen and has played 3 times in 6 months. :happycry:

This being the 2023 AFCON had passed me by. 3rd since 2019 that have been scheduled in the European Summer they say. Have any of them actually been played in their scheduled window? Is it just the one [ever] in 2019?

DR Congo wasting a glorious opportunity just as they have all tournament.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

This being the 2023 AFCON had passed me by. 3rd since 2019 that have been scheduled in the European Summer they say. Have any of them actually been played in their scheduled window? Is it just the one [ever] in 2019?

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Just the one ever, which is for a reason, i.e. that it's too wet. Now is the correct time to play it. Clubs just have to find a bucket for their tears.

Egypt in the bin.

The north have really fluffed their lines this time other than Morocco. Serious teams don't get knocked out by the DR Congo.

Jordan 2-1 down to Iraq in the 93rd minute proceed to score in the 95th and 97th to go through.

Jordan or Tajikistan will be in the semis.

Mane should be walking for that challenge.

This is a massive penalty.

That last penalty was insane. Did he hit it straight over Mendy's head/between his hands?

Another one bites the dust.

Hopefully Jackson is on a private jet back in time for Wednesday

Lololololololol.

Mendy looked like he's never faced a penalty before.

Nigeria should walk this now. So of course they won't.

If Morocco go out here I'm just declaring this whole thing to be a random results generator.

Mali might win it.

Never looked confident.

The upsets keep on coming.

Klinsmann's South Korea knocked out the Saudi's last night (lol) and will take on Australia in the quarters.

https://gyazo.com/2c1ddde819fddd1933a3a8b79c53a989.jpeg

I'm starting to fancy Iran now - they'll get through Syria today and then knock out a very average looking Japan. Qatar in the semi's should be doable - and then spank the winner of Australia/South Korea #TeamTaz

Uzbekistan all the way.

We're a disorganised mess fully reliant on 3 players to bail us out, I don't see us beating Japan or SK even though they've yet to impress. Mon our Tajik brothers.

That's the Drs through.

Fuck knows what the keeper was doing.

Lots to like about The DRC. Functional all over the pitch.

AC started properly today. Tajiks ended a fine showing by going out to an uninspiring Jordan. Aussies then tried theif usual shitfest of putting a well organised bunch of 185cm+ gammons into defence and looking to hit on the break. Almost worked a treat but South Korea's quality finally told with a last min equaliser and victory in ET.

Tomorrow sees Japan rape us in 5 different ways. They seem to have kicked out Ito as he got accused of sexual assault or some shit too and Hatate is missing through injury but we've got Taremi out and a dogshit team in general.

Wissa has become a terrific player.

Iran with a 96th minute winning penalty against Japan :drool:

We absolutely shat on them in that 2nd half. Incredible.

Ivory Coast continue to come back from the dead.

Tis but a flesh wound.

Is this game on via normal viewing methods? BBC says no, as does Sky and Eurosport.

Ah no, guide was deceiving me.

Scenes.

Name on the trophy.

Bebe to send Cape Verde through :drool:

Fair play to the South African keeper, that was a cracking save.

Oh Bebe, you could tell her wasn't up for it.

Cape Verde going down hard here. Shame.

Woof. All time non Afcon shoot out in the offing.

Fucking hell this keeper.

Oh my god they're worse than England.

This is an anti-AFCON shootout.

Same side. That'll confuse him.

He still went the right way.

That guy looks like he's had a hard life.

Not sure I've ever seen a 2-1 on penalties before. The best of all tournaments, this.

Keeper is a savant at penalties.

Ronwen fucking Williams. Get the statue built.

Four saves and he went the right way for the one he conceded.

Left footer with bleached blonde hair, what could possibly go wrong?

Jordan into the final after beating South Korea 2-0.

Klinsmann :face:

Taz’s boys are going to do it.

Japan and SK really didn't get going at all. SK have a moron as manager so that's a clear reason why but Japan was strange. We breezed past this Jordan in October so tomorrow is massive.

Is Jordan vs. Qatar the worst major final ever?

No better or worse than any Asian Cup final ever really.

Do whatever they call Australia-free Australasia have a Confederation tournament? That'd run it close.

Were Australia in this?

They do.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OFC_Nations_Cup

Tahiti :cool:

More drama at AFCON. A second goal for Nigeria chalked off due to a a foul in the build up. Penalty awarded to South Africa and converted. 2-0 to 1-1 in a matter of moments.

Holy shit how did South Africa not score there.

Funny if that is somehow not a penalty, and also not a red card. Or can VAR give the red?

Looks outside really.

I thought it was a great challenge live.

Outside the box but a red for me on replay.

Penalty and a red card?

Heroic challenge now the freekick hasn't gone in. Not really sure the ref had much clue what was going on there.

VAR doing some heavy lifting in this game. Ref has been miles off the pace.

Some more Ronwen Williams heroics please.

Iheanacho odds on to miss.

And the lad that just came on right at the end.

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

And the lad that just came on right at the end.

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Looked as cool as you like popping it in.

Down the middle first up is such a good tactic. Completely breaks the 'keepers mind.

Oh dear Aina.

Nice conversion.

Awful effort.

Getting heroics from the Nigerian keeper this time.

Awful pen mind.

I'm stunned that Ihenacho put that away.

DR Congo with a legitimate goal chalked off.

Such a lucky goal.

3 penalties for Qatar to win the Asian Cup?

Completely legit I'm sure.

Their second straight trophy. The dominant force in the continent.

How many of that continent get into World Cups?

8 directly and one in the playoffs.

Fucking hell :D

Whilst 8 is clearly too many, 3/6 Asian teams got out of their group in 2022, better than Africa 2/5, Concacaf 1/4 and same as Conmebol 2/4. Only UEFA were better with 8/13.

Those three also being the three nations on the continent who have ever produced a top class individual player, and the three who have different colour shorts to their shirt. The rest should take note.

Lololololol, there speaketh a man who has only watched football through the prism of Sky Sports.

Gutted our beloved African commentators have been binned off for Sky's trusted guys. They would have been glorious in this atmosphere.

Leroy Rosenior especially is dull as fuck.

Why does Osimhen wear that mask of his? Is it a good luck thing now or something?

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Why does Osimhen wear that mask of his? Is it a good luck thing now or something?

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I guess that is his thing now. Like Henry and his high socks. Davids and his glasses. Beckham and his long sleeves.

Game needed that.

Well deserved second. Nigeria have been really poor.

Most exciting attacking talent on show in the tournament. :cool:

This nigerian right back is wearing his shorts around his ankles

Never has a name been on a trophy like in this one. Just as well they sacked that hopeless Frenchman.

A nice touch on the script to have Haller get the winning goal in the final too.

One of the great international tournaments.

It's just a shame Nigeria didn't show up in the final.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Manc

One of the great international tournaments.

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I think so. 24 teams of vastly varying pedigree, abilities and styles who all just went for it. I'll have that over anything involving Switzerland.

Better pitches than some editions which is a big help as well.