September Recap here.
Standings
World Ranking/Change from Previous Rank
Australia-22nd (Up 1), 2nd Asia (Even)
Oman-103rd (Up 4), 13th Asia (Even)
Saudi Arabia-87th (Up 5), 7th Asia (Up 2)
Thailand-120th (Down 1), 17th Asia (Even)
Schedule
September 2, 2011
- Thailand 1-2 Australia
- Saudi Arabia 0-0 Oman
- Oman 0-3 Thailand
- Australia 3-1 Saudi Arabia
- Oman at Australia
- Saudi Arabia at Thailand
- Thailand at Saudi Arabia
- Australia at Oman
- Oman at Saudi Arabia
- Australia at Thailand
- Saudi Arabia at Australia
- Thailand at Oman
Game 5
Oman at Australia
October 11, 2011
Time: 5:30 am EDT
Location: ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia
Game 6
Saudi Arabia at Thailand
October 11, 2011
Time: 7:00 am EDT
Location: Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand
I had Oman pegged as a darkhorse candidate in this group but with 1 point and a pair of games against Australia in the imminent future, their future appears bleak. Australia should take that game at home. Saudi Arabia-Thailand on the other hand has the potential to be a fascinating matchup. Thailand appeared to many observers (myself included) to be out of their league in this group but they responded with a near-upset of Australia and a blowout of Oman last month. Enough evidence for me to declare that they might very well be the favourite to advance after Australia from this group. But in order to advance, they'll have to pick up a win against Saudi Arabia at some point and no better opportunity for that then in Bangkok. One of the biggest games of October as a result.
Post-October Standing Predictions:
Australia: 9 pts
Thailand: 6 pts
Saudi Arabia: 1 pts
Oman: 1 pts
I'm on the bandwagon. Don't know if it's the right call or not but I think Thailand pulls the upset(?) and puts them in the driver's seat to advance.
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