Abu Dhabi:
Team Melli will be going into this match oozing with confidence but with both feet firmly on the ground.
Iran won’t make the mistake of underestimating Yemen while the tournament debutants won’t be overawed when facing one of the Continent’s biggest teams in their AFC Asian Cup Group D opener at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.
Iran are chasing a fourth AFC Asian Cup title, but their first since 1976, while Yemen are determined to make their qualification for the tournament for the first time since unification, one to remember.
Although nobody in the Iranian camp is talking championship and no claims or guarantees of anything is given by players , Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz and his players are very well aware of what the fans in Iran and across the world expect. Showing respects to minor teams is a fine and sensible approach, but the end result has to be reflective of Iran’s football standard and this strong team that Queiroz himself has built.
“This is football. You cannot play a football game with a credit card of being favourites. If you don’t play good football, you don’t deserve to win,” said Queiroz, who has been guiding Iran for the past eight years now.
Queiroz added “We came here to play good games and we have to if we want to defeat any team. Yemen are a good side and we have to respect them. At the same time, I am confident that my team, despite some injuries, will deliver as I always challenge them to play responsibly so that when they leave the pitch, they leave with the fans happy.”
Quite diplomatic and selective, however if Iran cannot beat a team such as Yemen comprehensively, then it must be said that Queiroz 8 years have failed to delivered. Last Time Iran faced Yemen in the Asian Cup, they managed to hammer them 8-0 !
Yemen head coach Jan Kocian said his team are eager to make their tournament debut against one of Asia’s biggest teams.
“The world knows Iran. They had a great World Cup and in Carlos Queiroz, one of the best coaches in the world. We are, however, not going to let that get to us.
“We already have a concept of how we are going to play. We respect Iran, Iraq and Vietnam but we are not going to be afraid.”
Kocian said his team, while aiming for a result, will go out with the intention of enjoying playing Iran.
“There is no pressure on the team and as a ‘small’ team, we are allowed to dream and that dream is to defeat Iran.”
HEAD2HEAD
| P | W | D | L | Goals | + / – | |
| Yemen | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 – 1 | 5 |
| South Yemen | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 – 0 | 12 |
| Total | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 – 1 | 17 |
Yemen Matches
| Date | Comp. | H / A / N | Final score | Stadium | Attendance |
| 15.12.2012 | WAFF | N | 2 – 1 | Kazma Stadium , Kuwait | 800 |
| 09.10.1994 | Asian Games | N | 4 – 0 | Bingo Athletic Stadium, Onomichi | 15000 |
South Yemen matches
| Date | Comp. | H / A / N | Final score | Stadium | Attendance |
| 01.11.1989 | Peace & Friendship Tour | N | 2 – 0 | Kuwait City | 15000 |
| 25.11.1982 | Asian Games | N | 2 – 0 | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium , New Delhi | 8000 |
| 08.06.1976 | Asian Cup | H | 8 – 0 | Aryamehr Stadium, Tehran | 10000 |