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Afc nations league

For Australia it's just extra unnecessary travel. We don't get to play together as often as we like so it'll be somewhat wasteful to experiment as well. Could easily send a domestic AsiaRoos side. I'd expect Japan and South Korea to omit bigger names on occasion.
 
I'll wait and see how they intend to restructure the calendar before I decide if it's a good idea or not. I think one every 4 year cycle would be enough.
 
Alex M said:
I'll wait and see how they intend to restructure the calendar before I decide if it's a good idea or not. I think one every 4 year cycle would be enough.
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That's what I think. Same for UEFA, a single Nations league in the cycle which then counts for tournament qualifying safety nets means the teams should take it more seriously. The other version only jostling for ranking for the next one isn't too much of an incentive.
 
JS96 said:
That's what I think. Same for UEFA, a single Nations league in the cycle which then counts for tournament qualifying safety nets means the teams should take it more seriously. The other version only jostling for ranking for the next one isn't too much of an incentive.
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It should stand on it's own two feet rather than be a leg up for a more important tournament. I would be OK with 3 x 16 team divisions played in 4 groups each with a semi and final for each division drawing from the group winners. 4 teams up and 4 teams down each cycle. A trophy for each division. Takes up 8 matchdays in total. Run it after the Asian Cup before qualifiers for the next cycle begin.
 
Alex M said:
It should stand on it's own two feet rather than be a leg up for a more important tournament. I would be OK with 3 x 16 team divisions played in 4 groups each with a semi and final for each division drawing from the group winners. 4 teams up and 4 teams down each cycle. A trophy for each division. Takes up 8 matchdays in total. Run it after the Asian Cup before qualifiers for the next cycle begin.
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While the big nations won't care too much, they're going to have to play matches regardless. I feel at least a Nations League offers something at the end unlike a friendly. Teams won't necessarily want to be relegated.

Perhaps the Asian Cup qualifying for the lower tier nations can be folded into this somehow. The calendar is just packed otherwise.

UEFA got it so wrong this cycle. A rushed world cup and their playoffs are in March.
 
So you are all telling me this is a popular idea then :D
 
JS96 said:
Looks fun on paper no doubt but for Australia is see it as more of a hassle with more travel burden.

I like the idea of sending a mixed squad.
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if it means regular games against the top 5 in Asia in a p&r setting that would be brilliant

can finally face iran in a competition
 
I could lowkey be down for this on one condition: the AFC has to split. The travel and time difference is too big unlike in Europe which is about as wide (slightly less) as Australia.
 
If anything ME teams would be better for Australian European based players. These constant ME opponents are wearing thing though. Luck of the draw but just tired of always playing Saudi Arabia and Oman.

We've still never faced Turkmenistan. We haven't played Malaysia in ages and Hong Kong and Singapore are good destinations. Of course in football terms these aren't the opponents we want to play often but a mix of AFC destinations is nice.
 
An AFC Nations League could be structured in a number of different ways, for example

4 Leagues (A/B/C/D)
8 + 16 + 16 + 7 - league A has 2 groups of 4 teams, leagues B & C have 4 groups of 4 and league D has 2 groups of 3/4 teams
12 + 16 + 12 + 7 - leagues A and C have 4 groups of 3 teams, league B has 4 groups of 4 and league D has 2 groups of 3/4 teams
16 + 12 + 12 + 7 - league A has 4 groups of 4, leagues B and C have 4 groups of 3 teams and league D has 2 groups of 3/4 teams

3 Leagues (A/B/C)
16 + 16 + 15 - leagues A and B have 4 groups of 4 and league C has 4 groups of 3/4 teams

If the Nations league can easily fit or be combined with AFC and WCQ I think it can be helpful to give teams competitive post Asian Cup games with countries at a similar level heading into a WCQ/ACQ cycle.

I am not a fan of splitting East and West due to the drop off after Japan, South Korea and Australia. I think an 8 team top tier would be great to concentrate the best AFC teams and avoid byes.
 
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