Tuesday’s game against the UAE is a formality for Team Melli, but neither Skočić nor the players will be so relaxed as to let their guards down against a team that is still fighting for a place in the play-off.
Skočić is determined to continue his immaculate record and register yet another win in Azadi, which will most probably be without spectators.
The list of absentees is significant including key players like Azmoun, Nourollahi, Beiranvand, Ghayedi Hajsafi, Sayyadmanesh, and Khalilzadeh (suspended). Add to the long-term injury of Morteza Pouraliganji. However, what Skocic has on the bench, cannot be referred to as a depleted team in all sense of the word, it is simply less than the full-strength lineup.
The absence of Shoja’a Khalilzadeh is significant, however. There are several options available for Skocic to fill the gap one of them being the highly rated Esteghlal central defender, Siavaush Yazdani. With a slight reshuffle, Skocic can also use a different format as he can even employ Saeed Ezatollahi in the role of a central defender if he wishes to stick to the old guards.
Between the post, Abedzadeh did himself and Team Melli’s pride against Iraq and should continue occupying the goalkeeper post, however, such assurance cannot be given to the middle of the field. Both Gholizadeh and Ghoddos had a mixed and sometimes below-par match in the last outing. Both missed easy chances to score while their feeding to the forward line was not spectacular either. It was left to Jahanbakhsh to do all the hard work with Ezatollahi supporting the defensive side of things.
While there are apparent concerns on the half-backs, in the last three matches, all the defenders used on the posts played well enough if not perfectly to justify their selection. The question remains on the level of consistency of the half-backs. Nourafakn has shown that he has the quality and can be a forceful offensive asset with his runs on the flank, but he can also be easily caught off guard while defending and has a knack for wild tackles.
The absence of Nourallahi looked quite definitive against Iraq. Ghoddos has not reached the standard that is required at this level of competition. He has little time to make amends and misses like the one against Iraq where all he had to do is place the ball on either side of the goalkeeper, instead of hitting it badly off target, will not ender him to the coaches, or the fans.
Gholizadeh was also 
disappointing against Iraq. His consistency is suspect while his passing and timing need to be addressed. Both these Team Melli midfielders have the skills and the quality, however, the application and consistency are lacking for whatever reason.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh remains the gem in the crown and at the moment, an indispensable dynamo of the team.
Upfront, there is little concern even with Azmoun out of commission. Taremi’s magic is still there and even if he is given a rest day, Ansarifard, Rezaei, or the newcomer Shahab Zahedi can fill the gap with ease.
For the UAE, Bert Van Marwijk will hardly make substantial changes in the lineup except for the forced ones. The services of the players like strikers Ali Mabkhout, Fabio de Lima, and Sebastian Tagliabue are not available due to injuries. The team’s hope upfront is mainly on their former Brazilian Ciao Canedo who scored against Syria and provided an assist too. Team Melli was caught by the pace of the UAE players several times in the last match where Iran won by a solitary goal from Taremi. Khalilzadeh was actually red-carded momentarily, but it was rescinded at the last minute because of an offside just before he committed the foul on Al Mabkhout. Luckily a repeat will not occur on Tuesday as Khalilzadeh and Al Mabkhout will be out of the match.
