We Are The Reds

I wonder if Honda would have been there if he wasn't injured?

Honda retired from international football following the World Cup, as did Hasebe.

Don't forget that under Asia's tie breaking rules, another loss on Friday + Syria winning against Jordan = guaranteed elimination

Empty stadium for the Japan-Turkmenistan match.

The AFC Asian Cup really needs to steer clear of the Gulf States.

Japan managed to get past Turkmenistan 3-2 in a match where the Turkmen were damn dangerous just outside of the box; they could really hit a long ball and were not scared to pull the trigger. An odd choice of colours though with Japan in their blue and Turkmenistan in a dark green which made it difficult to tell who was who at times; perhaps an organisational balss-up.

In the other match Uzbekistan were somewhat surprisingly dominated by Oman but still came away with a 2-1 win. A win is a win however the White Wolves will need to up their game.

Thailand were perhaps a trifle lucky against Bahrain to come away 1-0 winners, though the Bahraini's were terribly wayward in their attempts at goal so did themselves no favours.

India went down to UAE 0-2.

Jordan beat Syria 2-0 which ensures them top place in our group if we beat Palestine tonight. If we beat Palestine (I can't believe I keep using the term "if"; GA doesn't inspire confidence) then we only require a draw against Syria to come second in the group.

Squeaky bum time.

Far out.

Palestine 0- 2 Australia

Maclaren scores the first.
Mabil scores the second a few minutes later.

Good.
We need goals, goals, goals!

Two nice balls in that created those goals (Rogic & Ikonomidis). Palestine are starting to ham it up as the pressure mounts, fortunately the ref seems to be having little of it (even handed out a yellow for one Oscar performance).

3-0 in the end. A decent display with some faster play which was good to see.

Sainsbury's yellow puts him out for the all-important Syria clash, a game where our back four may be under a greater level of pressure than that experienced tonight.

China beat Philippines 3-0. though by the sounds of it the score didn't reflect the game.

Our group is going to have a blockbuster finish as Syria & Palestine both need to win to progress whilst Jordan have topped the group so are likely to field a weakened side, given the Lions of Canaan a chance.

Normal service resumed last night with Iran beating Vietnam 2-0. Iraq defeating Yemen 3-0 and Saudi beating Lebanon 2-0.

Not sure how this will end however North Korea are 0-6 to Qatar at the 77'. WTF happened to North Korean football?

Looks like Milligan will be moving back into a CB role to cover for Sainsbury with Luongo taking his place in the centre of midfield.

What a goal from Mabil!!!!!!!!!!!! World Class!

.......and we concede twenty seconds later.