Category: AFC Asian Cup 2019

Team Melli players will be exempted from Military service if…..

The Ministry of Sports announced that Iranian national football team players conscripted or undertaking the compulsory military service, will be exempted or released from military service if Iran wins the Asian Cup.

According to ISNA, the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Sports quoted Mohammad Reza Davarzani as saying that the soldiers of the national team have been exempted from the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Davarzani, in an interview with journalists, said that according to the announcement by Sardar Kamali , commander and chief of staff of the Armed Forces, all players of Team Melli who are members of the squad are included in the exemption if Iran wins the AFC Asian Cup title.

China 0 Iran 3: Azmoun punishes the Chinese defense.

Team Melli produced an impeccable performance in Abu Dhabi today to defeat China in the quarter finals of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. It was a real statement of intent by Queiroz’s men as Iran progressed into the last four with this commanding 3-0 quarter-final win over China PR.

Sardar Azmoun, who was the man of the match, scored one and set up another in the first half. While substitute striker, Karim Ansarifard sealed the win with late strike in the second half to set up a clash of giants against Japan in the semi-final next Monday.

Marcello Lippi has been tipped to bring his time as China coach to an end after this tournament and his side crashed out with a whimper, all three goals being scored following defensive lapses.

Azmoun celebrates

China failed to heed the warning after surviving an early scare when Azmoun’s header was cleared in front of goal by Zheng Zhi, the striker capitalizing after Feng Xiaoting let a long ball bounce to tee up Taremi for a simple finish –  his third goal in as many matches at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.

Taremi was denied a strong penalty appeal for a trip by Zhang Chengdong and missed a sitter from three yards, but Iran extended their lead in the 31st minute.

Azmoun profited from yet more sloppy defending by racing in behind and rounding Yan Junling, the goal allowed to stand following a brief VAR check for a potential foul on Liu Yiming.

Lippi has not been afraid to tinker with his formation during matches but his reversion to a midfield diamond did not have the desired effect.

Iran sealed the three-goal win late on through Ansarifard, who made the most of a gift from Shi Ke to slot home from Taremi’s through ball five minutes after replacing Azmoun.

While the result spells the end of the road for the Chinese, Iran remains in with a chance of claiming their first Asian Cup crown since 1976. Based on the dominant manner in which the Iranians claimed the victory against China, they might even be heading into that tie at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium as favorites.

Immaculate display of attacking prowess

It did not take them long to assert their authority on Thursday and they threatened as early as the fourth minute, when Alireza Jahanbakhsh played a teasing first-time ball across the face of goal that was just too far for Azmoun to reach.

Two minutes later, China had an opening of their own with Hao Junmin breaking through down the right and playing in a cross that would have spelt a certain goal for Wu Lei, only for Ramin Rezaeian to halt the threat with an amazing recovery challenge.

Azmoun threatened again in the 10th minute when he was left unmarked at the back post at a corner and would have opened the scoring with a free header if not for Zheng Zhi being alert to the danger and clearing just before the line, but there was to be no denying Iran eight minutes after.

There looked to be no real danger when the Iranian defence played a long ball over the top but Feng Xiaoting’s hesitation saw him recklessly lose possession to Azmoun, who did well to unselfishly square a pass to hand Taremi with a simple finish.

The Al Gharafa star should have doubled his and his side’s tally in the 26th minute from a similar position when he was left with a sitter after being picked out by Hossein Kanaanizadegan’s flick-on from Ashkan Dejagah’s freekick, only to fire wide with the entire goal gaping.

By now, China’s 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi had seen enough and was motivated to make two substitutions even before the half-hour mark, but it still seemed only a matter of time before the Iranians’ supremacy reaped a second goal.

That duly arrived a minute after the half-hour mark and – this time – it was Liu Yiming who was the culprit despite being the favourite to make an interception, allowing Azmoun to nip in and win possession and casually take the ball past Yan before slotting into the unguarded net.

With a two-goal advantage now in their grasp, Team Melli were never in danger relinquishing control of the contest in the second half, and even had further chances to add to their tally which would have certainly but the result beyond doubt, although they were never really threatened by a lacklusture Chinese outfit.

And, in the first minute of injury-time, they finally added the gloss on an emphatic victory after profiting from another China error; Shi Ke’s poor touch handing possession straight to Taremi, who immediately threaded a ball through for substitute Ansarifard to latch onto and finish into the bottom corner.

 

IRAN: Alireza Beiranvand, Ramin Rezaeian, Morteza Pouraliganji, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Milad Mohammadi, Omid Ebrahimi, Ehsan Hajsafi, Ashkan Dejagah (Rouzbeh Cheshmi 76’), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Saman Ghoddos 68’), Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun (Karim Ansarifard 86’).

 

CHINA PR: Yan Junling, Liu Yiming, Feng Xiaoting (Xiao Zhi 28’), Shi Ke, Zhang Chengdong, Hao Junmin, Zheng Zhi, Wu Xi (Zhao Xuri 25’), Liu Yang, Wu Lei (Yu Dabao 75’), Gao Lin.

Newcastle Eyeing Milad Mohammadi.

In some big transfer news coming to the AFC Asian Cup, Iran defender Milad Mohammadi has suddenly emerged as a shock candidate to join Premier League side Newcastle United, per Daily Mail.

The full back has played a single game in this edition of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 however he has impressed with his display in the tournament, and has put some big clubs on notice thanks to his defensive and attacking prowess.

Newcastle United are suffering injury problems in defence following the blow suffered by Paul Dummett, meaning they need to head to the transfer window for cheap options.

In Mohammadi, they could have that cheap alternative that may just get them through the remainder of the Premier League season and help them stay up.

The 25-year-old currently plies his trade at Akhmat Grozny, but has been offered to Newcastle in order to end the Magpies’ and Rafael Benitez’s woes.
It is not clear how the Russian Club is willing to release Mohammadi and on what term, especially that they are in a good position in the League table. Akhmat Grozny is currently in the eighth position with 23 points after 17 rounds. Milad Mohammadi has played 16 matches and scored 1 goal for the Russian Premier league side.

Lippi ” China need ‘more focus’ ahead of Iran Asian Cup quarter-final clash”

Marcello Lippi said China need to learn how to focus for an entire game ahead of their crunch Asian Cup quarter-final with Iran, the biggest – and possibly last – game of his tenure.

The Italian World Cup-winning coach hailed his players after they overcame Thailand 2-1 to reach the last-eight, saying they had proved they were among the best in Asia.

But Lippi, 70, said China still had a habit of drifting in and out of games after another Jekyll-and-Hyde performance in which they trailed 1-0 midway through the second half.

“Chinese players have to improve psychologically,” said Lippi, who is expected to leave China after the Asian Cup following two and a half years at the helm.

“Sometimes they need to be much more focused and concentrated and pay more attention during the game. It’s a psychological thing. It’s very important to have the same intensity, the same determination from the beginning of the game.”

China were under the cosh against Thailand on Sunday until Lippi switched his formation at half-time, turning the tables as they swamped the Thais for much of the second period.

But Iran, Asia’s top-ranked team, will provide a much stiffer test and the expectation is that after Thursday’s game in Abu Dhabi, China will be packing their bags.

Lippi already appeared to be defending his record when he volunteered statistics that in his 10 competitive matches, China have won six and lost only two, to Iran and South Korea.

“That means I have to be very proud of my players,” he said, adding: “I’m very satisfied because this team is getting great results and we’re in the quarter-finals, which means we’re one of the top eight Asian teams.”

Reaching the quarters matches China’s performance of 2015, when the Asian Cup had only 16 teams rather than 24. China have never won the trophy in 11 previous attempts.

However, Lippi also sounded the alarm for future Chinese teams after fielding an ageing line-up including four starters in their thirties, and only one younger than 26.

Captain Zheng Zhi, widely expected to quit the national set-up after the Asian Cup, remains a vital cog at 38, while goal-scorers Xiao Zhi and Gao Lin are 33 and 32 respectively.

“I can say this is a problem for the future of the Chinese team,” Lippi said. “Because if the best players are always (in their thirties) it means that right behind them there aren’t any young players coming up.”

Team Melli marches on to the Quarter Finals.

Iran defeated Oman 2-0 to book a place in the quarter finals stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored Iran’s first ON 32nd minute when he cleverly stole the ball from Oman’s central defender and smartly slotted it in on the advancing Oman keeper, while on the 41st minute, Captain Ashkan Dejagah scored from a spot kick awarded after a foul on Mehdi Taremi

The first half ended 2-0 for Team Melli.

The match started with a real scare when the Omani forward, closely marked by Majid Hosseini , received a long ball that bounced luckily for him, leaving Hosseini chasing behind. The Young Team Melli central defender clumsily tripped the advancing Omani forward in the box for the Mexican referee to whistle for a penalty.

Ahmed Mubarak Al-Mahaijri, Oman’s Captain took the spot kick but the excellent reflect by Alireza Beiranvand manged to save the ball which was aimed at the far right corner. This is the second Penalty save of Beiranavnd in as many game, the first being the penalty save against Cristiano Ronaldo in the FIFA World Cup 2018.

After that scare, Iran took over the play and dominated throughout the match. All figures and stats indicated Iranian superiority. Oman could not match Iran player’s skills and physical game and depended on long balls to break the solid defense marshaled exquisitely by Mortaza Pouraliganji who did not put a foot wrong. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of Majid Hosseini. Apart from the penalty he gave away because of a reckless challenge and being caught out, Late in the second half, another situation led to him committing a foul on the runaway Omani winger. He was a lucky boy not to get a second yellow and marching order.

Ashkan Dejagah was majestic in this match. He was the maestro of the team with his excellent vision and distribution of the ball.

This is the fourth clean sheet for Team Melli, although Beiranvand, except for that penalty, was not really tested in this game.

The forward line, were far from clinical today. Sardar Azmoun , could have scored a hat trick on his own while Taremi wasted two golden chances. There have been quite a few profligate performances by the strikers which could be a serious concern as Team Melli advances further.

Vahid Amiri picked up his second yellow card of the tournament , so he will miss the Quarter final’s match in four days time.

In an earlier match, China recovered from a goal down to beat Thailand 2-1. China will meet Team Melli in the next round in Abu Dhabi.

Iran
1 Alireza Beiranvand GK
5 Milad Mohammadi DF
8 Morteza Pouraliganji DF
9 Omid Ebrahimi MF
11 Vahid Amiri FW
17 Mehdi Taremi MF
18 Alireza Jahanbakhsh 32‘ MF
19 Seyed Majid Hosseini DF
20 Sardar Azmoun FW
21 Ashkan Dejagah 41‘(PK) MF
23 Ramin Rezaeian DF

Substitutes
4 Roozbeh Cheshmi 69‘ -> (Jahanbakhsh)
7 Masoud Shojaei 88‘ -> (Azmoun)
14 Saman Ghoddos 78‘ -> (Dejagah)

Manager
– Carlos Queiroz

Oman football team : Preview

Team Melli next opponent is Oman.

Oman is a quasi-familiar team for Iran as the teams have met 12 times before. The stats indicate that Team Melli had the upper hand in the majority of the matches with 6 wins. The one and only official match loss to Oman was back in 1998 Asian Games. It was a shock 4-2 defeat in the group stages for the team that has just created the Miracle in Lyonne by defeating USA in the World Cup. Iran eventually won the gold medal of Asian Games and that defeat was irrelevant.

After 21 years since that defeat, Oman also managed to win a single friendly game 3-1 in 2013. Meanwhile, Team Melli was victor in the majority of the matches including a 5-2 rout in Azadi.

Despite the figures, Oman has always been a tough team for Team Melli. The fighting spirit of the Omani team and their resolve lessens their lack of skill and experience. The progress of this country’s football was tremendous. Few decades back, Oman was the punching bag of the rest of the Persian Gulf football countries. With limited resources and the lowest GDP of all the Persian Gulf states, the sultanate could not afford to spend millions on football like their rich neighbors. Basic facilities and resources, however, did not prevent a determined nation to progress and to finally become a champion.

Defeats by large margins of goal in the Persian Gulf Cup tournaments were quite normal for Oman. However, step by step, the football in this country improved and developed until they made history in 2009 when they won this regional Gulf Cup for the first time. In 2017, Oman repeated the feat and won the Persian Gulf Cup for the second time.

Oman has made history again today when they qualified for the next stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in this expanded 24 teams tournament.

CURRENT SQUAD

Quite a few of Oman players play abroad, the most famous of them is undoubtedly Ali Al Habsi. This ageing goalkeeper and legend of Oman football played in the English league with clubs such as Bolton, Wigan and Brighton.  The 37 years old Al Habsi has 118 caps, but that has not convinced Pim Verbeek, the Dutch head coach of Oman to pick him up for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 to the dismay of many fans and critics. His replacement, Faiz Al-Rushaidi is quite a capable keeper in his own right.

There is no lack of experience in the squad though as the Veteran Ahmed Mubarak Al-Mahaijri is the Captain of the team, he has played for a plethora of professional clubs in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.  Another veteran, Saad Al Mukhaini who plays professionally in Saudi League, is leading the defense line.

 

OMAN TACTICS AND STRONG POINTS

The team is always motivated and has a mental strength. They cannot match Team Melli in a physical game, but they defend in numbers and have a few solutions for counter attack, too. Ahmad Mubark is still running well despite his age and stamina seems to be quite strong among most of the players.

The worst scenario for Team Melli is if Oman scores first. They will park a double-decker to protect their lead and will resort to game delaying tactics, grass rolling and all sort of tricks to win a game especially against stronger and more skillful opponents such as Team Melli. They can also counter-attack well.

Tactically speaking, they might not be able to match Team Melli in the middle of the field and their forwards are inexperienced and lack accuracy in the final ball. Oman defense is also vulnerable in aerial balls. One major advantage Oman has is in the shape of a very experienced coach.  Pim Verbeek who has coached South Korea, UAE , Australia and Morocco has a vast international experience and can turn a game around like we have seen him do in the last game against Turkmenistan.

FIFA RANKING

Team AFC Asian Rank FIFA World Rank Points
IRN 1 29 1481
OMA 10 82 1295

 

 

 

The Match

IRAN vs. OMAN

AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE

Round 16

20th January 2019

Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium , Abu Dhabi

Time: 20:00 Local Time (16:00 GMT)

 

Statistics

H / A / N Matches W D L Goals + / –
H 4 3 1 0 9 – 2 7
A 3 1 1 1 4 – 5 -1
N 5 2 2 1 11 – 9 3
Total 12 6 4 2 24 – 15 9

 

Matches List

 

Date Competition H / A / N Final score Stadium
29-Mar-16 World Cup Qualifier H 2 – 0 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
08-Oct-15 World Cup Qualifier A 1 – 1 Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex – Muscat
22-May-13 Friendly International A 1 – 3 Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex – Muscat
28-Sep-10 WAFF N 2 – 2 King Abdulla Stadium – Amman
24-Jul-04 Asian Cup N 2 – 2 Olympics Sport Centre , Chongqing
08-Aug-01 LG CUP H 5 – 2 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
08-Dec-98 Asian Games / Group K N 2 – 4 Suphachalasai Stadium , Bangkok
21-Jun-96 Asian Cup Qualifier A 2 – 1 Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex – Muscat
14-Jun-96 Asian Cup Qualifier H 2 – 0 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
02-Jul-93 World Cup Qualifier N 1 – 0 Al Abbasyin Stadium, Damascus
23-Jun-93 World Cup Qualifier H 0 – 0 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
21-Feb-82 Qaed-Ul-Azam Cup N 4 – 0 Karachi

AFC Asian Cup 2019 – ROUND 16

Abu Dhabi:

After 36 matches, and no shortage of drama, the qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 knockout stage have been finalised.
The line-up was confirmed on Thursday, when Oman and Vietnam claimed the Round of 16’s two remaining places, setting the scene for what promises to be an unforgettable climax to the largest ever edition of the competition.

JORDAN v VIETNAM

Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai.15:00, January 20

Unbeaten Group B winners Jordan face a Vietnam side appearing in the knockout stage for the first time since 2007, and just the second time in their history, with the winners to meet either Japan or Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals.

THAILAND v CHINA PR

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. 18:00, January 20

Appearing in their first AFC Asian Cup knockout fixture since 1972, Thailand will meet FIFA World Cup-winner Marcello Lippi’s China PR, who qualified as the second placed team in Group C.

IRAN v OMAN

Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. 21:00, January 20

Three-time Asian champions and Group D winners Islamic Republic of Iran will look to continue their unbeaten start to UAE 2019 against an emerging Oman side revitalised by a memorable 3-1 win over Turkmenistan.


JAPAN v SAUDI ARABIA

Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah. 15:00, January 21

A blockbuster clash between two of the competition’s most successful nations in Sharjah. Four-time champions and Group F winners Japan will meet Saudi Arabia, who have lifted the trophy on three occasions and finished second in Group E.

AUSTRALIA v UZBEKISTAN

Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. 18:00, January 21

In a re-match of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup semi-final, reigning champions Australia will meet Hector Cuper’s emerging Uzbekistan, after both sides qualified by finishing second in their respective groups.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES v KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi. 21:00, January 21

In front of a typically passionate Zayed Sports City Stadium crowd, host nation United Arab Emirates will face Kyrgyz Republic, who have made history by reaching the knockout stage in their first appearance at the Finals.

KOREA REPUBIC v BAHRAIN

Rashid Stadium, Dubai. 17:00, January 22

A Son Heung-min-inspired Korea Republic will look to continue their perfect start to the AFC Asian Cup against a Bahrain outfit buoyed by the dramatic last-minute winner against India which sealed their path to the last 16.

QATAR v IRAQ

Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi. 20:00, January 22

Qatar, and current tournament leading scorer Almoez Ali, meet 2007 champions Iraq in a mouth-watering final Round of 16 tie, with the winners to face either Korea Republic or Bahrain in the last eight.
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Iran 0 – 0 Iraq; Team Melli tops group D

Al Maktoum  Stadium, Dubai
teammelli.com reportsIn front of Full capacity stadium Iran and their local rivals played  a goal less draw in a strongly combative encounter as expected. The sell out match, meant thousands of fans were left outside the stadium. The organizing committee has failed to cater for such demand as both countries have large number of expatriate communities in the UAE particularly Dubai.

Queiroz opted to make some changes from the last match against Vietnam. In came Jahanbakhsh, Milad Mohammadi, Majid Hosseini and Roozbeh Cheshmi while Dejagah, Taremi, Hajsafy and Pouraliganji were rested on the bench.

The first 10 minutes was eventless with both teams testing the waters and neither able to penetrate the defenses of the other.
There was an early worry for Jahanbakhsh as he left the pitch with a bleeding nose  on the 11th mints, but came back after a quick fix
A minute later a cross from Mohammadi was met by high-flying Sardar who just headed above the bar.
21st min , a foul on Ebrahimi just outside the half circle was taken by and  wasted by Ghoddos.
On the 27th minute a Shout for penalty by Iran played because of a foul on Ebrahimi was waved on by Irmatov , as Ebrahimi seemed to fall quite easily.
On the 29th min Ghoddos volley from long-range ended up in  for a  corner after deflection
33rd min  Yellow card given to Atwan of Iraq for foul on Amiri
35th  saw the first shot by Iraq that went off target.
39th min. A nasty foul by Saman Ghoddos who stamped on Iraqi player leg. He was lucky to escape with just a Yellow Card.


42nd minute a long throw by Amiri reached Azmoun whose shot was blocked but the rebound reaches Jahanbakhsh who shoots skywards. This was a scoring chance missed.
The first ended goalless. Neither of the teams Created clear-cut chances, as both goalkeepers had it easy. Iran  despite having more ball possession could not reach the keeper against a solid and well-built Iraqi defence.2nd half.
Iraq needing to win to top the group came out as the stronger of the two,  the 1st corner of the half was won by Iraq.
Lack of playmaker in central midfield area for Team Melli was quite evident. Saman Ghoddos was drifting on the flanks, leaving Ebrahimi partnering Cheshmi in the central focal role. Poor defensive covering marred Ghoddos game as well.
Co Saman defensive work suspect Better for CQ to realize early.
In the 62nd min  Taremi replaced the ineffective  Jahanbakhsh to give Iran more offensive edge.
On 65th min,  Kanani-Zadegan made a poor clearance in the box gifting the Iraq forward a big chance to test Biranvand, but the shoot was too mild to bother Iran keeper.
On the 68th min. Vahid Amiri was awarded a Yellow card for entering the field after treatment without referee’s permission.
In 74th min  Torabi came in to replace Ghoddos.
The best chance for Iraq came in the 75th min , but Biranvand timely interception of the ball going to the dar upper corner, deprived Iraq.


In the 78th min Torabi shooting attempt was off target after some promising moves by Team Melli.

79th min saw Dejagah come in for Cheshmi
On the 82nd min a foul outside box was called for Iran. Dejagah crossed but Azmoun header misses.target

The match ended goal less for Iran fo take the lead of the group on goal difference. Vietnam, which beat Yemen 2-0 in the other group match is third and has a good chance of qualifying.

Attendance: 15,038

Jahanbakhsh starts against Iraq.

Al Maktoum stadium ,Dubai.

teammelli.com reports

 

Carlos Queiroz announced some changes in the starting line up for Team Melli against Iraq. The main news is the introduction of Alireza Jahanbakhsh from the start.

This is the first time that the Brighton winger plays a competitive game since his hamstring injury in November.

 

Starting lineup:

Alireza Beiranvand

Vouria Ghafoori

Majid Hosseini

Milad Mohammadi

Hossein Kanan-Zadegan

Roozbeh Cheshmi

Omid Ebrahimi

Saman Ghoddos

Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Vahid Amiri

Sardar Azmoun

 

Jahanbakhsh is raring to go against Iraq.

Dubai:
Team Melli star Alireza Jahanbakhsh has declared himself fit and ready to play in his side’s group-deciding AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 tie against Iraq at Al Maktoum Stadium on Wednesday.

He is yet to feature in UAE 2019, and hasn’t appeared for club side Brighton and Hove Albion since the first week of November, but the star told the-AFC.com he is physically ready to join his Team Melli teammates for the all important clash.

“Thankfully, my condition is great, and I’ve trained with the team in the past couple of days,” said the 25-year-old.

“I have no problem to play this game, and I am ready. It’s up to the coaching staff to decide whether they want to use me or not.”

While Carlos Queiroz will welcome the return of one of his side’s key attacking weapons, even in Jahanbakhsh’s absence they have managed to win both of their opening matches, racking up seven goals in the process.

Those emphatic victories over Yemen and Vietnam have sealed Iran’s place in the Round of 16 already, but winning the group remains important, as it could deliver a much more manageable set of knockout stage opponents.

A draw is all that’s required to achieve that objective for Jahanbakhsh’s side, but he insists they will be chasing another win.

“This is one of the most significant games for us,” he declared.


“Certainly, when we started the tournament, we wanted to progress one game at a time and, thankfully, the first two games were great. This game is significant because we want to stay top of our group, and because in our path we need the confidence that a good result would provide us.”
“We’re facing Iraq, this adds to the importance and attractiveness of the game. Both teams have six points, but to be honest, it makes no difference to us.”

“It’s one of the games that we must face and it’s one of the games that we’re focusing a lot on. Hopefully, we’ll face it with strength.”

The last meeting between the two sides in this competition was their classic 3-3 draw in 2015 quarter-finals in Canberra, with Iraq prevailing on penalties after a chaotic period of extra-time.

Just 21 at the time, Jahanbakhsh’s career has gone from strength to strength in the four years to follow, but – even with an Eredivisie Golden Boot and a record transfer to Brighton to his name – it’s clear he hasn’t forgotten about what was a painful elimination.


“Surely, the events that occurred in that game, us being down to 10 players, and the conditions that we were faced with, made it really hard for us,” he said.

“Despite all these obstacles, we played very well against Iraq. I still think we should have qualified for the next stage, but sometimes football doesn’t smile upon us, and we were eliminated.

“However, we’ve entered this tournament with more experience. Surely, our experience at the World Cup can really help us out, with all the games that we’ve had. The current Iraqi team has a couple of players from the last Asian Cup team that eliminated us, so we know their squad.

“We do not want to make any mistakes this time, we want to be completely focused, and be present in this game even better than before, so we can get the best result.”