I know many know this but I know many don't that its only 4 out of the 8 best second placed teams that qualify to the next round of the qualifications. As it stands today things are not looking good for Iran as most groups are very tight and actually 2nd and 3rd placed teams have higher points than Iran. The only way we will top the group is we MUST win all 4 remaining matches. Anything besides that is a coin toss. This is how the 2nd ranked teams look as of today.
Ranking of runner-up teams
1. Oman 5 games 12 points
2. Kuwait 5 games 10 points
3. Malaysia 5 games 9 points
4. Bahrain 5 games 9 points
5. S. Korea 4 games 8 points
6. Saudi 4 games 8 points
7. China 4 games 7 points
8. kyrgystan 5 games 7 points
As you see 3 of the main teams that are ranked 5,6,7 have more points than us and 1 game at hand just like Iran. The only positive I can think of is that Since Qatar is the host and most likely will finish 1st or even at 2nd a fifth number 2 team will get to go through. The groups will be super tight going to the last day. Honestly anything besides winning all remaining matches if not looking good for us. Even 1 loss and we are doomed as teams will pass us.
If you go look at even 3rd placed teams now there are some such as Jordan and a few others that have more points than Iran.
At the end of the day things are not looking good!
Ranking of runner-up teams
1. Oman 5 games 12 points
2. Kuwait 5 games 10 points
3. Malaysia 5 games 9 points
4. Bahrain 5 games 9 points
5. S. Korea 4 games 8 points
6. Saudi 4 games 8 points
7. China 4 games 7 points
8. kyrgystan 5 games 7 points
As you see 3 of the main teams that are ranked 5,6,7 have more points than us and 1 game at hand just like Iran. The only positive I can think of is that Since Qatar is the host and most likely will finish 1st or even at 2nd a fifth number 2 team will get to go through. The groups will be super tight going to the last day. Honestly anything besides winning all remaining matches if not looking good for us. Even 1 loss and we are doomed as teams will pass us.
If you go look at even 3rd placed teams now there are some such as Jordan and a few others that have more points than Iran.
At the end of the day things are not looking good!