I am sure we would have won AC without Ben Williams

[Doctor DOOM]

I agree to an extent with martin's OP.
Yes, the red card did have adverse effects on our team. But the extent of it should have been limited, had we devices better counter measures to plug the holes
Or after the first Iraqi goal, we had another chance to plug .....
And sso on

We also showed if we were desperate enough, we could attack and score goals even with 10 men. Great. But why didn't we put in this kind of effort to put the game beyond reach by going for a straight second, insurance goal?

While the ref's stupid and clearly biased decision did have its impact, we also have to bear some blame. From poiladi to haghighi's abysmal keeping, to hajsafi's poor positioning to CQ's restrained tactics.


We must remember by always pointing at outside factors as SOLE reason for our failures, we'll never get anywhere, or will never have a chance to remedy our own mistakes.

Next time we play and a ref like Williams is chosen, we can at least remember to cover our other bases and areas we didn't this time

[webmaster]

Iran-Australia would have been the best two teams in final, but you have to give it to Aussies for their superb showing. I am only worrying that they can not replace Tim Cahil after he retires. he is a crucial player for them.

[dash_sina]

Yes we were better than Iraq and should have made it to the semis. And yes we had a decent chance of beating both South Korea and Australia, but to say that were favored to win it all is at best hopeful thinking. We have a far way to go in order to be such solid candidates. The fact that we lost to Iraq, even with 10 men in penalty kicks, is a sign that we need to improve. TM lacks a good play maker and it is hurting us.

[Siavash]

I watched the game very carefully and came to the same conclusion at the end. TM had a better chance of winning the cup not only for reasons Martin Reza indicated, I also add the fact that TM had better stamina that other teams that they looked tired and unorganized within the last 10 mins of each half and the entire extra time. Unfortunately, bad refereeing buy another sub-human cost us dearly.

[Leopard]

Korea defeated Australia once and today it struggled due to physical inferiority. TM players would have outrun Aussies and would have been champion. many worried about Japan and Japan performed same same poor way as it did in the world cup.
The real challenger was Aussie and without any doubt the Aussies robbed the cup. They are not going to admit it by it is and it was so obvious.
by the way during the ceremonies it was so obvious the make up on the face of the AFC president. The artist did not want to put any near his eyes so the color of skin near the eyes looked different.

[_Navid_]

Absolutely. This is the 4th time that we were the best team of the tournament and only the referee's beheading prevented our team from lifting the cup. I am sick and tired of this happening all the time.

[hzv]

in the end the best team that plays the best football without the flops and the time wasting won the cup. well deserved.

[persian-eagle-13]

it goes without saying that football is not a number 1 sport in Australia and they were hosting the games. by the same token it was bound that the organizing committee wanted to see Australia in the final if not to see them go as far as possible to make their money's worth. not to mention the tv rights, commercial inside Australia etc..... on the other hand you have both Japan and Korea who have invested a lot of money and are sponsors of AFC. so it is natural to see them go to the finals as well.

so at the end of the day the tournament is set up for the "stakeholders". til the time IFF and TM do not have a say in AFC, we will get punished in favor of the other "stakeholders"

[persiangodfather]

I think we would have a very hard time vs Australia

[eerooni]

Lets not say Iran would have won for the sake of the nay sayers, but we all have to agree that Iraq was toast had it not been for Ben Williams the red card cowboy. Then Iran would have faced a team that had been demoralized with 2 previous defeats, even if we had lost to Korea we would have easily beat UAE and got 3rd place, which IMO would have been the bare minimum podium spot for us. But again we are victims of both horrible refereering AND poor penalty taking!

[zand]

I think if we had beaten Argentina and Bosnia, we could have won the World Cup too! Forget about Asian cup.

[Damavand]

I also think we had very good chance of lifting the Trophy. The only team which MAY have prevented us, was Japan which was already eliminated.

[Ardalan]

Be nazare man finaale khoobi bood. Sor'ate baazi balaa bood, har do team feshaare ziaadi miavordan ro ham.Bazie hamlei bood, TM yek shiveye digari daare, kodaam behtare dar zamin baayad did, moteasefane in baar natonestim baa Kore va Australia ro be ro shavim. Har do team dar in reghabathaa besyaar khoob amal kardan.

[Frank Ocean]

*** edited ***

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[Adesor Vafaseya]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u-WPmc-b6Xo