Let's bring Israel back to AFC

[perspolis#1]

Since 2015 (even during CQ) we didn't beat iraq, Bahrain or their lookalikes (oman, Jordan, Kuwait) always give us hard time

We've beaten Oman as recently as AC 2019.

Iraq and Bahrain give us hard times but a systematic approach to playing them is much better than the bekesh ziresh, concede on the counter, and then get a red card out of frustration that happens as recently as the Iraq game this round.

[PSGman#19]

I agree with you but the problem is the establishment of consistency both with decent coaches and infrastructure requires significant reforms within Iranian football which some dont want to have the discussion about.

1) IRIB paying PGL
2) separation of government policy from sport
3) restrictions on foreign players and incentives for youth players to be played.
4)Overall improvement of grassroots Iranian football youth structure.
5] Higher quality floor prior tl TM coach hire.

With the above 5, we develop to a team that will qualify to every world cup with ease and even push further than that. Without them, we are doomed to have these hot and cold periods

Since 2015 (even during CQ) we didn't beat iraq, Bahrain or their lookalikes (oman, Jordan, Kuwait) always give us hard time

[perspolis#1]

Beating Iraq and Bahrain was never a problem for Iran, if you look at our head to head stats against Iraq you'll see that we have beaten them twice as much, Bahrain is our bogey team but even then we have a better head to head versus Bahrain. In fact Iran has a superior head to head record against all of it's Asian opponents, including Japan and South Korea which should tell you something about our football's strength.

So your argument is not a valid one, when we have a good to decent coach such as Queiroz you'll see that we easily beat Bahrain 6-0. In conclusion, with good systematically quality coaches (not Wilmots) we would easily qualify for the world cup, furthermore if countries such as Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus etc would join AFC then that would also mean more spots for Asia, so i wouldn't worry about it. The mentioned countries would make Asian and thus Iranian football stronger. What we need to focus on are top coaches for our youth and senior football teams. Because talentwise we are always among the best in Asia.

I agree with you but the problem is the establishment of consistency both with decent coaches and infrastructure requires significant reforms within Iranian football which some dont want to have the discussion about.

1) IRIB paying PGL
2) separation of government policy from sport
3) restrictions on foreign players and incentives for youth players to be played.
4)Overall improvement of grassroots Iranian football youth structure.
5] Higher quality floor prior tl TM coach hire.

With the above 5, we develop to a team that will qualify to every world cup with ease and even push further than that. Without them, we are doomed to have these hot and cold periods

[Sepehr9]

When beating Iraq and even the like of bahrain is such a pain, I dont see having turkey and Russia inside afc as a good thing
The only positive of AFC is easy qualification for WC which isn't still an easy route for us.
We brought Australia but never play them. Instead they take a WC spot for them.
Egypt isn't even in Asia.
If we want a confederation with a bigger level, uefa is the best. We may not qualify for WC or even euro often but play prestigious teams in qualifiers and nation league

Beating Iraq and Bahrain was never a problem for Iran, if you look at our head to head stats against Iraq you'll see that we have beaten them twice as much, Bahrain is our bogey team but even then we have a better head to head versus Bahrain. In fact Iran has a superior head to head record against all of it's Asian opponents, including Japan and South Korea which should tell you something about our football's strength.

So your argument is not a valid one, when we have a good to decent coach such as Queiroz you'll see that we easily beat Bahrain 6-0. In conclusion, with good systematically quality coaches (not Wilmots) we would easily qualify for the world cup, furthermore if countries such as Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus etc would join AFC then that would also mean more spots for Asia, so i wouldn't worry about it. The mentioned countries would make Asian and thus Iranian football stronger. What we need to focus on are top coaches for our youth and senior football teams. Because talentwise we are always among the best in Asia.

[PSGman#19]

Except for Russia and Turkey, Iranian football is stronger than all the countries you mentioned. We are also more than capable of beating Russia and Turkey eventhough they have stronger football leagues than us. It's not that the countries you mentioned are top football countries like Brazil or Spain etc so let's not exaggerate. However, the mentioned countries would make Asian football stronger thus making Iranian football stronger as well.

When beating Iraq and even the like of bahrain is such a pain, I dont see having turkey and Russia inside afc as a good thing
The only positive of AFC is easy qualification for WC which isn't still an easy route for us.
We brought Australia but never play them. Instead they take a WC spot for them.
Egypt isn't even in Asia.
If we want a confederation with a bigger level, uefa is the best. We may not qualify for WC or even euro often but play prestigious teams in qualifiers and nation league

[Sepehr9]

It would be best for Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, East Timor to join OFC. Better for them to improve and also to cut down on travel costs.
Instead New Zealand join AFC. After that Fiji or Papua New Guinea or New Caledonia can decide which one will host the OFC Headquarters
Cyprus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Egypt join AFC although when that happens Iran will not qualify for the World Cup ever again
However it will make Iran to do the best it can to compete with those stronger teams.

Except for Russia and Turkey, Iranian football is stronger than all the countries you mentioned. We are also more than capable of beating Russia and Turkey eventhough they have stronger football leagues than us. It's not that the countries you mentioned are top football countries like Brazil or Spain etc so let's not exaggerate. However, the mentioned countries would make Asian football stronger thus making Iranian football stronger as well.

[Rooyintan]

It would be best for Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, East Timor to join OFC. Better for them to improve and also to cut down on travel costs.

Instead New Zealand join AFC. After that Fiji or Papua New Guinea or New Caledonia can decide which one will host the OFC Headquarters

Cyprus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Egypt join AFC although when that happens Iran will not qualify for the World Cup ever again
However it will make Iran to do the best it can to compete with those stronger teams.

[Sepehr9]

Sure New Zealand would be a nice addition, just like Australia they make Asian football more competitive and thus stronger.

[GoIran]

I think New Zealand is as good as Israel.

[sedee91]

You make a good point, that being said, i don't see any of them qualify for the European championship or the world cup. They have a better shot for the world cup now that there are more spots available but it is still going to be difficult for them. It's a shame Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbajian and Georgia want to compete in Europe instead of Asia, they are culturally much closer to Asia/Iran than any European country, and most importantly they would make Asian football much stronger!

Regarding Israel, thanks but no thanks, i wouldn't want that apartheid state with it's "glorious" history of 72 years (their so called country is as old as prince Charles) anywhere near Asian football.

Would you rather have AFC to merge with OFC, and that would bring over New Zealand and other Oceanic Islands which would just make Asia less competitive in terms of strength. I think having Israel would be beneficial for everyone, because it's all sports here and no politics.

[Sepehr9]

None of them want anything to do with AFC.
Kazakhstan used to be part of AFC and moved away despite their football being horrible at the time.
There is a perception (probably correct) amongst these countries that its perhaps better to be crappy in a halfway decent run confederation than to stay in a corrupt garbage place like the AFC. At least there is some room for growth and you compete among the best clubs and nations generally.

You make a good point, that being said, i don't see any of them qualify for the European championship or the world cup. They have a better shot for the world cup now that there are more spots available but it is still going to be difficult for them. It's a shame Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbajian and Georgia want to compete in Europe instead of Asia, they are culturally much closer to Asia/Iran than any European country, and most importantly they would make Asian football much stronger!

Regarding Israel, thanks but no thanks, i wouldn't want that apartheid state with it's "glorious" history of 72 years (their so called country is as old as prince Charles) anywhere near Asian football.

[The]

None of them want anything to do with AFC.
Kazakhstan used to be part of AFC and moved away despite their football being horrible at the time.

There is a perception (probably correct) amongst these countries that its perhaps better to be crappy in a halfway decent run confederation than to stay in a corrupt garbage place like the AFC. At least there is some room for growth and you compete among the best clubs and nations generally.

I understand your point, but I meant in a geographical/ cultural sense, it would make more sense for those nations to be considered Asian, rather than European (same goes for Turkey).

[Adesor Vafaseya]

There is a perception (probably correct) amongst these countries that its perhaps better to be crappy in a halfway decent run confederation than to stay in a corrupt garbage place like the AFC. At least there is some room for growth and you compete among the best clubs and nations generally.

I actually agree with their way of thinking. Better to be weak (in the beginning) in a strong league and be pushed out of no choice to get better and better, than playing in slow motion M.E. and learn grass rolling...
Turkey’s improvement is best example.
Your assessment is correct.

[sedee91]

If Iran's political system changes, you never know. But as of now, no way it would happen.

Hey Webmaster, you say like as if Iran has power or influence in AFC's matters. We are just a powerhouse on the continent. Sure, our nation helps AFC draw in some revenue and attention, but that doesn't mean that we can't be replaced.

But what can be interesting is this, have AFC and Europe combine and become Eurasia. The number of teams at the world cup has been extended, I can't see why we can't do this as well, since countries like Kazakstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Armenia have done this.

[Nokhodi]

To me it makes more sense to have Kazakastan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia in AFC than Israel or Cyprus.

None of them want anything to do with AFC.
Kazakhstan used to be part of AFC and moved away despite their football being horrible at the time.

There is a perception (probably correct) amongst these countries that its perhaps better to be crappy in a halfway decent run confederation than to stay in a corrupt garbage place like the AFC. At least there is some room for growth and you compete among the best clubs and nations generally.