September Recap here.
Standings
World Ranking/Change from Previous Rank
Japan-15th (Up 1), 1st Asia (Even)
North Korea-121st (Down 6), 17th Asia (Down 1)
Tajikistan-124th (N/A*), 18th Asia (N/A*)
Uzbekistan-79th (Up 4), 6th Asia (Even)
*-When I last did the rankings, Tajikistan had yet to replace Syria in the group. From that ranking, Tajikistan has climbed 29 spots overall and 8 spots in Asia. All on a pair of 1-0 losses. This won't be the last time you hear me complain about the lunacy of FIFA's ranking system.
Schedule
September 2, 2011
- North Korea 0-1 Japan
- Uzbekistan 1-0 Tajikistan
- Tajikistan 0-1 North Korea
- Japan 1-1 Uzbekistan
- Tajikistan at Japan
- Uzbekistan at North Korea
- North Korea at Uzbekistan
- Japan at Tajikistan
- Tajikistan at Uzbekistan
- Japan at North Korea
- Uzbekistan at Japan
- North Korea at Tajikistan
Game 5
Uzbekistan at North Korea
October 11, 2011
Time: 3:00 am EDT
Location: Yanggakdo Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea
Game 6
Tajikistan at Japan
October 11, 2011
Time: 6:45 am EDT
Location: Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan
Japan struggled in September, barely eeking out a victory at home to North Korea and coming from behind to tie Uzbekistan so I'm sure they'll welcome bottom-feeder Tajikistan to town. Japan gets 2 consecutive games against the last-place team in the group and should use those matches to build a comfortable group lead.
Uzbekistan and North Korea meet in the first leg of a double-header which could be a mini-playoff to decide who advances with Japan. Hard to tell which side will come out on top in that game. Both teams are sound defensively. Uzbekistan might have a few more attacking options but it remains to be seen if they have enough firepower to overcome North Korea's defence in North Korea.
Post-October Standing Predictions:
Japan: 7 pts
Uzbekistan: 5 pts
North Korea: 4 pts
Tajikistan: 0 pts
Japan wins comfortably and Uzbekistan-North Korea seems destined for a 0-0 scoreline.
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