World Cup 2018 Qualification Gets Under Way

[KhodadadAzizi]

USA's performance reflects Iran's 2010 team performance almost exactly. Replace Honduras/Panama with North Korea and a poor Saudi team that couldn't even defeat Bahrain. Not winning the games you should, even when you have aging stars like Karimi, Mahdavikia (Dempsey, Bradley, Howard) means that you won't move on. US didn't win their matches and didn't move on. I see many similarities with Iran 2010. They will need to follow TM's example to return stronger than before. Coaching is very important, as well as proper transition to a new crop of players.

Yes, this USA team does remind of Iran's team in the 2010 qualifiers.

[Damavand]

After seeing the first leg it was pretty obvious Australia will take this. I just didn't expect a thrashing. Honduras showed that they are a very toothless team since even a team like Syria managed to take the games to the wire against Australia.

For TM's sake I hope New Zealand will surprise Peru and advance although I am not holding my breath.

[eerooni]

FIFA.com Irans record:

12- consecutive World Cup qualifying clean sheets is what Iran became the first team from any confederation to record. Team Melli’s run eventually ended, after 18 hours and 41 minutes, and when they had already secured a ticket to Russia, in their final outing against Syria.

[KC McElroy]

The US is trying to organize a tournament next year with teams that didn't make it. Given what goozi teams are in and the likes of Italy, Holland, Chile, Ghana, etc. not making it, it could possibly be more competitive than the World Cup.

[persianallstars]

wow, an own goal, two penalties! a very confident victory for Australia :-D

[Afat11]

I can't believe USA finished behind this terrible Honduras.

USA's performance reflects Iran's 2010 team performance almost exactly. Replace Honduras/Panama with North Korea and a poor Saudi team that couldn't even defeat Bahrain. Not winning the games you should, even when you have aging stars like Karimi, Mahdavikia (Dempsey, Bradley, Howard) means that you won't move on. US didn't win their matches and didn't move on. I see many similarities with Iran 2010. They will need to follow TM's example to return stronger than before. Coaching is very important, as well as proper transition to a new crop of players.

[GoIran]

I can't believe USA finished behind this terrible Honduras.

[shahabGAOL]

Australia 3:0 is in Russia 2018
I wish Honduras but in this game Australia is better

[ehsan singapore]

You forgot Nigeria, and if New Zealand can pull out a win, they would be in Serbia's place. I'm a New Zealand fan in a few hours! I have a feeling that no matter what, we are getting Morocco, Serbia or Nigeria. Panama is the dream, but the odds of an easy 4th seed is low at this point. New Zealand will make it 50/50 that we get a good 4th seed draw, and potentially Denmark as our 2nd seed.

i think we can get panama, pot 2 is intresting we can get colombia, uruguay,croatia, i personally prefer uruguay

[Afat11]

so now we will have like panama, morroco,serbia can face us, so is good, we know our options

You forgot Nigeria, and if New Zealand can pull out a win, they would be in Serbia's place. I'm a New Zealand fan in a few hours! I have a feeling that no matter what, we are getting Morocco, Serbia or Nigeria. Panama is the dream, but the odds of an easy 4th seed is low at this point. New Zealand will make it 50/50 that we get a good 4th seed draw, and potentially Denmark as our 2nd seed.

[ehsan singapore]

so now we will have like panama, morroco,serbia can face us, so is good, we know our options

[littlepersia17]

Australia up 2:0 now.

Only a Iran 97' WCQ will save Honduras now...

[shahabGAOL]

Australia 1:0 up.

[Kiarash]

Australia sucks so, so badly. They have nothing to do in the World Cup.

[sarbaz]

Honestly, none of these 2 teams deserve to go to the WC

It's a damn shame that South America only gets 4.5 spots for the WC , they really deserve 5.5

But if I had to cheer and support between Australia and Honduras, I choose the AFC side.