At the moment, South Korea lead the group with 11 points from five games. North Korea and Saudi Arabia are second and third with ten points from six matches, while Iran are fourth with six from five. UAE are out of the running with one point.
The top two qualify automatically while the third-placed team enters the play-offs.
Have South Korea virtually qualified? Is everyone else fighting for second place?
Saudi Arabia - Korea is first with a match in hand, they are the best now and they have easy match against UAE, so I advise the others to compete for the other positions.
Iran - South Korea is in a position to clinch qualification with a victory from the remaining three matches. The dynamics of the group is such that 14-16 points will qualify a team and a victory against UAE will all but ensure South Korea gets one of the two spots.
South Korea: South Korea are just one point above North Korea and Saudi Arabia, however, South Korea have played one less game. UAE has no chance to qualify, therefore, South Korea will win this match very easily. Furthermore, South Korea will play Saudi Arabia and Iran at home. Because of these reasons, South Korea will qualify.
Can Iran win in North Korea?
SA - North Korea are very strong on its own ground. They are very organized and quick and Iran has shown som weak performances and its clubs in Asian champions league are weak...so I don't think that Iran with their new coach can win this match.
Iran - Historically, Iran have never lost to North Korea. Iran have won 14 and had 6 draws against North Korea. Iran also defeated North Korea in North Korea four years ago. Iran is to a certain degree is in a do or die situation for this match.
Afshin Ghotbi has brought energy, hope and to a certain degree unity to the Iranian side. With the addition of previously banned Karimi, the resurgence of Nekunam and good plays of Shojaei, Iran's midfield has improved tremendously since Iran defeated North Korea 2 -1 in Tehran. I expect Iran to win
SK -Iran have changed their mood with a new manager Afshin Ghotbi. North Korea will try to win at home, so they'll play a more attacking game. This give Iran a chance to win but it's very difficult, because away match in North Korea are really hard.
Will the appointment of Afshin Ghotbi help Iran?
SA - At least he won't be worse that Ali Daei. Daei talked too much with no results.
Iran - It already has. During the last weeks of Daei and two weeks of Mayeli Kohan, fans and media were overwhelmingly critical of the national team and pessemistic. Ghotbi has brought unity and enjoys the support of fans that has not been seen for a decade. Ghotbi is very good with the psychology of the game and that is what Iran needs most.
SK- Iran had trouble with manager selection but Ghotbi has success in the Iran league so we can tell he's a great manager. I expect him to save Iran from crisis.
What do you think of North Korea?
SA - They are the beautiful surprise of Asia, they are a convincing and organized team. I really like them and we may see them in the World Cup as second or via the third place play-off.
Iran - They have been the surprise of the group and play in an organized fashion. Their match against Iran will determine if they will be a second place team or miss the qualification. If North Korea loses to Iran, with an away match in Saudi Arabia, my prediction is that they would end in fourth. Regardless, I have enjoyed their team this year.Their defence is very strong and also they are very good at counterattack.
SK - Their work rate is really incredible and the players never stop running. North Korea are too defensive but still they can score at every game. They can take three points against any team.
Can UAE upset the big boys?
SA - I don't think they can do anything, they still need more experience and playing more tough matches...but every team has to be careful.
Iran - With no chance to advance and playing two tough matches against South Korea and Iran, it is hard to imagine them upsetting the big boys. If they have a chance, it would be their home match against South Korea but at this stage of the qualification, I would not bet against Koreans or Iranians.
SK - I don't think so, they couldn't win any games during last six matches. They are already out and have no motivation.
Will Saudi Arabia qualify?
SA - After getting back to their former level of confidence, I think they can win and qualify...they have to come back from Seoul with a positive result then I am confident that they can beat North Korea in Riyadh.
Iran - They will finish at least third and second place is theirs to lose. Saudis played a great game in Iran and deserved to win.
SK - At the beginning of the stage, they had a really hard time. However, after they changed their Head Coach (Jose Peseiro), they won two matches in a row. If they can maintain that good mood, they will qualify.
Are you satisfied with your coach?
SA - The current coach is admirable, and he saved Saudi Arabia from a critical time as he won against Iran in the Azadi stadium with many absent players. The Saudi team with Peseiro are playing well and showing orgainsed football.
Iran - On the Iranian side, Ghotbi has not led Iran in a match yet. He has done a good job of uniting the team and bring the fans and media behind team melli.
SK- 50-50. I am satisfied with his record, however, he is often criticised for his style. He prefers defensive football even when playing against underdogs. His real nickname is 'Hunting Dog'. However, many people call him 'Drawmaker'. More development is needed overall game management. But he's making great results in important matches.
Would you be satisfied with third place?
SA - No, we need to finish second at least...we don't want to have any risk.
Iran - Iran has a chance to directly qualify with seven points from the remaining three matches. In a sense, Iran is in control of her own destiny. Third place is more realistic and given where Iran is, six points from five matches, a thrid place finish would not be too bad of a result.
SK- Absolutely not. Nobody will be satisfied with third place in South Korea. Many South Korean believe that Taegeuk Warriors will qualify as group leaders.
Which teams will finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd?
SA- 1st: South Korea 2nd: KSA 3rd: North Korea
Iran - 1st - South Korea 2nd - Iran 3rd - Saudi Arabia
SK - 1st: South Korea 2nd: North Korea, 3rd: Iran