Hong Kong returns home for their second Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifier and, after a disappointing 1-1 draw away against Cambodia, they host Asia’s top-ranked team, Iran.
While Tuesday’s game already has a make-or-break feel to it for Hong Kong in their effort to make it through to a first World Cup finals and qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the same is not true for the opposition.
The heavy favourites to top the group will play their first game in this qualifying campaign when they visit Hong Kong Stadium.
There were fears the match would not go-ahead after the Iranian Football Federation appealed for the match to be played on neutral ground because of the ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong.
Iran’s Sardar Azmoun dribbles past China’s Feng Xiaoting in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final. Photo: Xinhua
Despite the official protest, FIFA has not appeared to have agreed to the Iranians request, hence it takes full responsibility on players safety. It is generally assumed that the political protest by Hong Kong residents will have very little or no effect on the match.
With the game going ahead as planned, Hong Kong may have a chance on the pitch with Team Melli having slipped up in the past by failing to take seriously.
Iranians had at times some tendency to “underestimate” its weaker opponents. With a new boss at the helm, it is highly doubtful that this will be the case against Hong Kong in the first competitive match for boss Marc Wilmots who is keen to start the World Cup qualifiers with a win.
Marc Wilmots, the former Belgium manager replaced Carlos Queiroz in June. The Portuguese left after a disappointing AFC Asian Cup in the UAE. They unexpectedly lost 3-0 to Japan in the semi-finals in a tournament many had tipped them to win. For Wilmots, this match will be ideal as he is facing a not-so-strong opposition in Hong Kong. Wilmots will not be satisfied with a close win wither as he has already made his views known about the style he wants his team play. His emphasis is not only on attacking football but also playing a modern passing game, something his predecessor did with caution.
Iran players react after losing to Portugal at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia. Photo: EPA
Team Melli has one major absentee in Mehdi Taremi, their top scorer. Taremi suffered a knock in a league match in Portugual with his club Rio Ave that prevented him from training and taking part in this opener. The former Al Gharafa and Persepolis striker has been in top form in Portugal scoring a hat trick in a match while winning an incredible six penalties for his team early in the season.
Team Melli will hardly be shaken by Taremi’s absence, though, as Sardar Azmoun is enjoying his best season with Russian Champions Zenit St. Petersburg. Azmoun will spearhead Iran’s attack against Hong Kong.
Mixu Paatelainen’s Hong Kong side will have their work cut out against a team ranked 23rd in the world, 116 places above them.
At 18, Sayyadmanesh is the youngest of Iranian players who will face Hong Kong. Team Melli has a mix of experience and youth in a squad that includes 100-plus cap Ehsan Hajsafi.
Not even Hajsafi was around when the teams last met in 1988, but the result might end the same. Iran has won four of the five meetings between the teams, and have a 100 per cent record over Hong Kong in competitive games.
TEAM MELLI SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Rashid Mazaheri (Tractor)
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian (Al-Shahania SC), Majid Hosseini (Trabzonspor), Milad Mohammadi (Gent), Vouria Ghafouri (Esteghlal), Mohammadhossein Kananizadegan (Persepolis), Siavash Yazdani (Esteghlal), Morteza Pouraliganji (Al-Arabi), Mohammad Naderi (Persepolis)
Midfielders: Omid Ebrahimi (Al Ahli, Qatar), Masoud Shojaei (Tractor), Ahmad Nourollahi (Persepolis), Ali Karimi (Esteghlal), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Ehsan Hai Safi (Tractor)
Strikers: Ashkan Dejagah (Tractor), Sardar Azmoun (Zenit), Karim Ansarifard (Al-Sailiya), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Fenerbahce), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton)