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Barely two months since he returned to lead his former nation into the World Cup finals, Carlos Queiroz will steer Iran against the might of England and a backdrop of more human rights debates.
From the time the squad arrived until the day before the match, the team has constantly fielded questions related more to freedom of expression off the pitch than freedom of movement on it.
For 90 minutes at the Khalifa Stadium on Monday the focus will return solely to football in what’s surely likely to be Iran’s toughest challenge in the group stage.
Queiroz has opted to go with a vastly experienced side, comprised largely of players he knows and has worked with previously, with the emphasis being on the collective above the individual, although in that area Iran has several match winners in their fold.
The question is how much risk Queiroz will take against a nation he dubbed the best English side since 1966 (the year they won the world cup) whilst describing the clash as the ‘most important of their lives.’
PLAYERS TO WATCH
MEHDI TAREMI – At 30 he’s in the peak of his career and in sensational form for FC Porto both domestically and on the continent (where he’s scored five goals in as many matches). Able to line up in a wider role or either as a lone striker or tandem option up front, there’s more than enough power and precision to scare this highly fancied England side.”
SARDAR AZMOUN – One of the more outspoken players on the human rights issues, there was even conjecture that the 27-year-old may miss the squad altogether due to that stance but now that he’s named he’s a real contender to lead the line, either by himself or alongside the equally talented Taremi.
WHAT THEY SAID
Carlos Queiroz – Iran coach
“It is the most important game of our lives, first of all because it is the next one, and the next game is always most important for the life of coaches and players. But also it is a unique opportunity, even for me, and I have 200-and-something international games.
“It is the first time I have the opportunity to play against the England national team. And for the majority of our players, to play against England is like magic, a unique opportunity, a gift, because in terms of the international calendar, to play England or Germany is almost impossible.
“This new generation that Gareth Southgate is bringing for the national team in my opinion is probably the most talented, the most competitive English national team since 1966.”
PREDICTIONS
Scott McIntyre
England 0-0 Iran
Paul Williams
England 2-0 Iran
Photo: Sarah Stier – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
