World Ranking/Change from Previous Rank
China-70th (Up 3), 5th Asia (Even)
Iraq-91st (Up 16), 8th Asia (Up 5)
Jordan-81st (Up 4), 7th Asia (Even)
Singapore-139th (Down 3), 20th Asia (Up 1)
Schedule
September 2, 2011
- Singapore 1-2 China
- Jordan 2-0 Iraq
- Iraq 2-0 Singapore
- China 1-2 Jordan
- Iraq 1-0 China
- Jordan 3-0 Singapore
- Singapore at Jordan
- China at Iraq
- Iraq at Jordan
- China at Singapore
- Jordan at China
- Singapore at Iraq
Game 7
China at Iraq
November 11, 2011
Time: 9:15 am EST
Location: Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar*
Game 8
Singapore at Jordan
November 11, 2011
Time: 11:00 am EST
Location: Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
Game 9
China at Singapore
November 15, 2011
Time: 5:30 am EST
Location: Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore
Game 10
Iraq at Jordan
November 15, 2011
Time: 11:00 EST
Location: Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
*-Game being played in Qatar as a result of FIFA'S current ban on matches being hosted in Iraq. Details here.
4 games for Asian groups this month and like most of them, this group could very well be decided based on these results. Game 7 will see a rematch of one of the most highly anticipated games from last month, which saw Iraq upset China on the road. This game is critical for China's hopes of advancement. If they win then are even with Iraq on points and control their own destiny. Lose or draw and they'll need Iraq to falter somewhere in the future. Jordan hosts Singapore in Game 8 fresh off a 3-0 victory last month. Jordan looks poised to grab their 4th win in 4 games this round and widen their lead over the group.
Game 9 will see China traveling to Singapore and getting what could be a welcome repreive with an opponent they should readily defeat. Game remains a must-win for China regardless of the Iraq result to keep pace in the group. In Game 10, Iraq will visit Jordan for the second battle of neighbours in this group. At the very worst, Iraq will be tied on points with China this game and while a win would preferred, Iraq could probably settle for a draw and be alright with Singapore still to play.
Post-November Standing Predictions:
a-Jordan-13 pts
Iraq-8 pts
China-7 pts
x-Singapore-0 pts
I think Jordan and China will easily pick up their wins against Singapore, eliminating Singapore and advancing Jordan in the process. Iraq has a pair of tough games to play but with a quasi-home field against China and facing a Jordan team who might let off a bit after advancing, Iraq should be able to manage a draw in both games, keeping themselves ahead of China in the standings.
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