AFC Round Three: Matchday One Preview

The third round of AFC qualifying starts tomorrow. Here are the matches that will be taking place, home team listed first.

Group A

China v Singapore

Jose Antonio Camacho coaches his first game in charge of China. Longtime Singapore manager Radojko Avramović faces an uphill battle. China should win this one comfortably.

Prediction: China 2 Singapore 0

Iraq v Jordan

Zico oversees his first competitive game in charge for Iraq against a rising Jordan team. This game could go a long way to deciding which teams advance out of the group. It finishes in a draw, a positive result for Jordan

Prediction: Iraq 1 Jordan 1

Group B

South Korea v Lebanon

The South Koreans open its qualifying campaign without longtime star Ji-Sung Park because of international retirement and Chung-Yong Lee due to injury. However, they still should easily cruise by Lebanon.

Prediction: South Korea 3 Lebanon 0

U.A.E. v Kuwait

Another game that could go a long way in deciding who gets the second spot in the group. Both sides had disappointing Asian Cups, but have rebounded with solid results since. This game could go either way, but the home side gets a narrow win.

Prediction: U.A.E. 2 Kuwait 1

Group C

Japan v North Korea

The Asian Cup winners host the North Koreans in the first qualifying matches for each team. Japan are without two of its best players in Keisuke Honda and Kengo Nakamura, but still should have enough to beat a struggling North Korean side.

Prediction: Japan 3 North Korea 1

Tajikistan v Uzbekistan

Tajikistan gets another life in the competition after being reinstated following the disqualification of Syria. In the battle of the Stans, they square off against potential sleeper Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is favored in this game and should come away with a nice road win.

Prediction: Uzbekistan 1 Tajikistan 0

Group D

Australia v Thailand

The heavily favored Socceroos host Thailand in Brisbane. The Aussies should easily win this game, especially since Thailand is without its starting goalkeeper and best defender because of injury.

Prediction: Australia 4 Thailand 0

Oman v Saudi Arabia

Typical powerhouse Saudi Arabia had a shocking Asian Cup and Oman has high hopes for an upset. Frank Rijkaard will coach his first match as Saudi Arabian manager and needs a positive result to quell some fears in camp. I think this is the shock of the round as Oman gets a result.

Prediction: Oman 1 Saudi Arabia 1

Group E:

Iran v Indonesia

Indonesia faces an uphill battle traveling to a superior Iran side, and the visitors best hope will be to try and get a draw out of things. Unfortunately for them, Iran's quality is too much and should win by several.

Prediction: Iran 3 Indonesia 0

Bahrain v Qatar

The host of the 2022 World Cup travel to Bahrain in an uncertain political climate. On the field however, Qatar has struggled as of late with two friendly losses in August. Bahrain should have a energetic homer crowd on hand and be able to come away with a win.

Prediction: Bahrain 2 Qatar 1