The quarter final match between Team Melli and Iraq will be vital for many reasons.  Team Melli’s victory by any margin will put the seal of approval on Carlos Queiroz’s work, regardless to whatever happens in the next two rounds.

Not many pundits & experts predicted the progress of this team that far. Managed by a federation that is cash stripped thanks to FIFA which is unfairly holding US$ 8 million of FFIRI funds, resulting in sending of an ill prepared team to the tournament, a coach who is not exactly the most popular among other league coaches resulting in some clashes and discord ,  selection of a number of players who have failed to impress while playing little competitive football, while ignoring excellent performances of other league players who have been omitted perhaps for non-technical issues, and last but not least , the last minute desertion of the assistant coach Ali Karimi & his refusal to accompany the team leading to creation of unnecessary side issues and destabilization of the squad.

Carlos Queiroz, himself lowered everyone’s expectation before a ball was kicked in the tournament by saying that Iran is not even the favorite in the group. Other players repeated similar sentiments and warned the masses against putting high hopes under the circumstances surrounding the squad.

For these reasons, any progress beyond the quarter finals is a remarkable feat for Team Melli.

Henceforth, Iraq match is an important milestone for Queiroz and Team Melli. Irrespective to the press statements of the coaches, which are becoming so predictable and monotonous in fact , the reality is that both teams play similar type of football and there is little indication that any team has any advantages on the other.

Iraq , like Iran , has proven that it has a solid defense that is difficult to penetrate. It has conceded one goal only and that was against the defending champion Japan. Although Team Melli has the capability of testing the Iraqi defenders with the likes of Azmoun , Dejagah and Ghoochannejad, it is unlikely that Carlos will have a sudden change of heart and start altering his approach to an offensive game plan.

Iraq, like Iran again, has not displayed an offensive game plan either and has been acting shy up front.  They have struggled to score more than 2 goals past the weakest team of the tournament, Palestine and with only 3 goals scored; their offensive threat is nothing more than modest.

As such, the fans are in for a low scoring defensive battle between the two teams. Both coaches will exercise caution and refrain from venturing too deep into the opponents territory. Adventure is not going to be the name of the game on Friday. The match is expected to be tight and might very well go into extra time and penalty kicks, unless a moment of individual brilliance by a player changes all that. Team Melli certainly has and proven that it has some individual skill that can make a difference.

One interesting prediction about this match is the number of fans in Canberra stadium. For the first time in the tournament, it is expected the Iraqi fans will outnumber the Iranians simply because the Iraqi’s predicted their team will be second in the group and hence they grabbed most of the tickets on sale ahead of the Iranians.

The fans of both teams have been tremendous and colorful so far. There effect might very well be felt by the players who could show more enthusiasm and resolve to gratify their appreciative fans.