Match Preview: Iran vs USA

IR Iran Press Conference - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The Asian Game’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is proudly sponsored by SMC.

As if things weren’t politically charged enough now Iran face a do-or-die clash against an American side that has impressed in their first two outings in Qatar.

Having recovered from an opening 6-2 thrashing against England with a couple of late goals to secure a 2-0 win over Wales, Iran’s fate is now in their own hands.

They sit second in the group and know that a win will secure their passage through to the second round whilst a draw will also produce the same outcome should Wales fail to defeat England in the other Group B clash.

This is the first competitive meeting between the pair since their politically charged encounter at the 1998 World Cup – won 2-1 by Iran – and whilst the buildup has not perhaps been as tense as last time it’s still dominated the headlines at a tournament where Iran just can’t seem to shake off-field scrutiny.

Coach Carlos Queiroz clearly knew the questions about the off-field issues were coming and once again he did well to brush them off, saying he won’t get distracted by off-field issues.

“If, after 42 years in this game as a coach I still believe I can win games with those mental games then I think I’ve learned nothing about the game,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

Queiroz has a decision to make as to who starts in goal in this match with Alireza Beiranvand available after concussion ruled him out of the previous match, whilst Alireza Jahanbakhsh is suspended after his late booking against the Welsh.

The fitness of Sardar Azmoun is also a conundrum for Queiroz to deal with as he looked lively against the Wales but was still clearly far from full fitness after an injury plagued time with his club side this year.

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How to then best accommodate star forward Mehdi Taremi is the other issue as the FC Porto man look far more dangerous playing through the middle rather than on the left where he featured against Wales with Azmoun lining up as the number nine.

Queiroz again preached the mantra of trying to play positive football against an American side that he claims plays ‘modern football’ and which has been the most impressive in the group so far – and that includes an English side that thrashed Iran first up.

As the veteran coach knows, though, Iran control their own destiny, even if he argued the result was in the hands of the football gods, and that could well see him reverse to the more defensive approach that they started with against England but often that is where Iran has come unstuck.

As we’ve seen with the varying approaches of the six AFC nations at the tournament thus far the kind of mentality that Iran approach the match with could well determine whether Team Melli reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

Curiously this match also falls exactly 25 years to the day after Iran defeated Australia in an epic qualification match to reach the 1998 FIFA World Cup – just their second qualification – will history repeat here in Qatar?

PLAYERS TO WATCH

EHSAN HAJSAFI – The captain has been an energetic presence through Team Melli’s first two games with his movement off the ball opening up space for the advanced three forwards and his defensive work helped shield things in midfield and he’ll again have a key role to play here in both attack and defence.

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SARDAR AZMOUN – The stats spoke to a strong starting outing against Wales after having come off the bench against England with his four shots the most that an Iranian produced and which came with an xG of 0.46. Whether he’s fit enough to start back-to-back matches is the question but if he is he’s the most likely source of goals as the central striker in what should be a 4-3-3.

ALIREZA BEIRANVAND/HOSSEIN HOSSEINI – First choice keeper Beiranvand missed the Wales match after he suffered a concussion against England and with Hosseini stepping in to keep a clean sheet against the Welsh, Queiroz has a tough decision here as to which way to go in goal.

WHAT THEY SAID

Carlos Queiroz – Iran coach

“It’s a very special game and for me particularly, to be able to enter the last match with a chance to qualify is something that makes me proud and we want to do our best against the team that I think has played the best in our group.

“We have a strong belief that we can play good football and nothing happens if we don’t do that so our focus is to play good football with good defensive organisation and when we have the ball keep it, play it, enjoy it and build up our opportunities.”

Karim Ansarifard – Iran forward

“We want to create another historical day for our nation’s sporting history in what is a sensitive game but we are all prepared and sure that we are going to make history.”