The bitterest of them

SME-Written by: Ali Al-Basha
• I expect that we will move to round (16) first or second, and if not then third. This depends on our results against Korea, Malaysia and Jordan, where we were included in the fifth group, and I do not think it is easy. Even with theorizing, our team will remain a strong candidate for this group, as the draw is originally directed at adopting the international classification in the group draw!
• But the calculation is in the knockout round (16) and what is our position in it. For example, I am inclined to believe that we will come second in the group, which means that we will face the first of the sixth group; As for Saudi Arabia or Oman, they are two strong teams and I do not think they will be far from one of the first and second places. With all due respect to Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.
• I also do not rule out that we will come first in our group (5), which means that we will meet the second from group (4), which is either Japan or Iraq, while if we sign one of the best four, they will occupy third place; This will put us facing the first group (1), which is also either Qatar or China, with respect to Tajikistan or Lebanon!
• So, in any case, we will not be in an easy position; Because the teams we have referred to mean that our choice in any of the qualifying positions will be (bitter), as the teams here are playing at their true levels and those we have referred to are among the nominated teams in the 2023 Asian Finals; Our results with it are always close. We exchange wins with it and dig up history!
• Our team should not be afraid (Jordan and Malaysia); They should not be allowed to represent a stumbling block that borders on surprise. Because we are not that bad to be an easy prey for everyone who comes and goes. Because we might surprise the Koreans; We have players with the rare combativeness and enthusiasm that make them exceptional candidates.
• The problem is that teams aspiring to advance to advanced roles, including our team; They are under strong pressure, whether technical or otherwise, and here the teams whose squads are dominated by true professionals emerge. To overcome such pressures, unlike the semi-professionals, and therefore in the finals, teams emerge for the title and others for the championship.