29 Mar 2024
Tuesday 22 May 2018 - 10:33
Story Code : 306023

Soccer: Iran primed for attempt to break group stage hoodoo

Reuters - The stability and pragmatism of Carlos Queirozs seven-year reign has firmly established Irans as Asias number one team, but the nation will go to the World Cup hoping to advance for the first time to the knockout phase.

Queirozs side face a daunting task after being drawn to take on Morocco, Spain and Portugal. However, Team Melli represent the Asian Football Confederations best hope of a successful 2018 finals.


Iran will be appearing at the World Cup for a fifth time and on each of their four previous visits in 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014 they were unable to advance beyond the group phase.

But Queiroz, who took charge in April 2011, has long targeted a run that would see the country progress for the first time and has worked hard to encourage the authorities in Iran to give him the tools required to achieve that goal.

Queirozs main concern has been the disparity in the fitness between those in his squad playing in Iran and those featuring overseas, with the countrys foreign-based players key to hopes of success.

Principal among the weapons at Queirozs disposal is Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun, a forward in the mould of Iranian great Ali Daei whose goals were instrumental in Iran becoming the first Asian nation to qualify for the finals.

Azmoun is backed up by the pace and trickery of Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who goes to Russia off the back of an impressive season for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, while Qatar-based striker Mehdi Taremi adds another dimension to the attack.

Iran qualified for the World Cup having conceded only twice in the final phase and both of those goals came against Syria after their spot in the finals had already been secured.

That 2-2 draw at the Azadi Stadium marked the first time Queirozs team had allowed the opposition to score in a competitive game since a 3-1 win over Turkmenistan in November 2015, a run stretching back 13 matches and almost 22 months.

Iran will need players such as central defensive pairing Jalal Hosseini and Mortez Pouralighanji with the assistance of highly-rated defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi to be at the top of their game if they are to achieve their dream.


Editing by Christian Radnedge





https://theiranproject.com/vdcdx90ssyt0zz6.em2y.html
Your Name
Your Email Address