Iran vs. Japan - [Match Thread] | Asian Cup 2023 | Saturday, February 3rd |

[eerooni]

I’ve read everyone’s comment here and my two cents are as follows:

it will be a very very difficult game. BUT Japan has let in More goals than us This is a good thing. Yet We are truly the underdogs. Losing Taremi on paper and tactics was a travesty. BUT this might actually help other strikers blossom. Too much reliance on one can be detrimental
also refs can definitely help us. If we get a Faghani call and get a penalty or red card for Japan then it’s golden. In summary. Believe in the team. Miracles can happen. And they will It’s Iran vs Australia 🇦🇺 98! I believe we will win. I don’t know why. I don’t know how. But IMHO we will win 🏆

[Pishi_Rules]

This tournament has been brutal for those living in PST, I've been walking up at like 3-4 am for like two weeks. College exams be damned Team Melli is forever

Haha same! I’m on AEST so I’ve been getting up at 2/3am and making huuuuge mistakes at work. Probably going to lose my job, but TM for life. Another thing, I was reflecting last night, and it just hit me this is going to be the last major tournament for a lot of these players. Which is why we need to send positive vibes and prayers to our team. I am not ready to say goodbye 😓😓😓

[milad_b]

I am now more than positive that they want japan vs korea in final match due to big finicial money behind it.

How does korea get 1 yellow card out of 33 fouls in 3 games. They got 1 yellow card for fouls and 1 yellow card for kims behavior.

[Kavian]

It is going to be tough game and it is very possible that it goes to extra time.

No matter who is going to be on the line up we need a bunch of fighters who are able to stay menthaly and physicaly strong throughout the 90 min or more.

We don't really need to do anything out of this world to win this. We have to stay focused, play simple (hint: JHB), always be mindful of risk (hint: Biero) reduce errors (Hint: Haji) and keep repeating what has been practiced (Hint: Mohebi) and avoid inventing new stuff during the game (Hint: Sardar/Taremi). Football is actually a pretty simple sport. With 3 to 4 touches you can put the ball in the back of any team's net, Japan included.

There is a need for a strong voice in the locker room that tells the boys to go out and enjoy the game like this is the last time you ever kick the ball.

I am very optimistic!

Japan is not anything big ... They are scared of us!

[persian8iran]

Let's go Iran! Following Iranian football for 20 years already! I waited so long for this kind of moments! Let's do it! Bring happiness to the real and loyal fans!

[BusiG]

I know lot of you guys think we are the underdog in the Japan Match...bookies see it the same way btw.
But tbh this is a 50:50 Game from the start.
I dont see any Team in favour...both had nearly same recovery Time as well.
Also one of their Players Ito just got cut from the squad due to some abuse accuse made....this will probably affect their Team-Chemistry as well.
Our Boys are well experienced...most of them played multiple World Cups and Asian Cups plus lots of experience from UEFA CL and EL. Have no doubt...this Team can definately win that Match.

[MR.ESTESNAII]

If I was gohlenoi I would show them last time they beat before the game to show them this is not just any game ..it’s revenge for what happened …my only worry is Japanese speed …best game is too slow the game down a lot ..don’t let them do their fast pace runs ..if we match their speed we run out of gas quick

[webmaster]

History shows that our best goal scorers against Japan are Ali Daei and Vahid Hashemian so I hope GN would think about this and uses our height superiority because both these players were tall.

I think whether we like it or not we need Moghanlou's height because it will be much easier to score against them through crosses or long balls but if we play on the ground they are much faster and better than us. He can be a last minute super sub for Iran.

[perspolis#1]

Please don't waste our setpieces and crosses tomorrow.

EVERY SINGLE CROSS MUST BEAT THE FIRST MAN.

I don't care if the alternative is it going too far EVERY CROSS MUST BEAT THE FIRST MAN.

[Pluto2000]

After much deliberation here is the lineup I'd go with tomorrow. Gn y'all, I will see you in 9 hours 🐆

||
Beiro
Ramin-Kanaani-Shoja-Milad
Eza-Ghoddos-Haj Safi
Gholizadeh-Azmoun-Torabi
||

Similar front lineup as versus Wales except Torabi for Taremi and the addition of Ghoddos instead of Nourallahi

[MR.ESTESNAII]

omid needs to start

[Hosseini]

History shows that our best goal scorers against Japan are Ali Daei and Vahid Hashemian so I hope GN would think about this and uses our height superiority because both these players were tall.

I think whether we like it or not we need Moghanlou's height because it will be much easier to score against them through crosses or long balls but if we play on the ground they are much faster and better than us. He can be a last minute super sub for Iran.

Agreed - Iraq also scored twice off crosses and headers. I think that'll be our way to win. Azmoun needs to finish it in the air, this is really his moment and time to shine, most important match of his career. I hope he's feeling ready and good.

[FeLFeL]

After much deliberation here is the lineup I'd go with tomorrow. Gn y'all, I will see you in 9 hours 🐆

||
Beiro
Ramin-Kanaani-Shoja-Milad
Eza-Ghoddos-Haj Safi
Gholizadeh-Azmoun-Torabi
||

Similar front lineup as versus Wales except Torabi for Taremi and the addition of Ghoddos instead of Nourallahi

I'd be upset if GN goes with something totally different than this. I have seen a few others post the same exact line up here and I totally agree. We need Haj Safi and Milad to both start to keep that RW of Japan in check. What Milad lacks, Ehsan has covered and vice versa so it would be a good duo on that side. Goes without saying that our best CBs are Shoja and Kanani right now - If GN decides to get cute and start Cheshmi as a CB again just for the sake of his height, I'll lose my shit and I am not a morning person to begin with!

Only possible semi-acceptable deviation from this line up is starting Jahanbakh instead of Gholi and I say semi acceptable because I would personally start Gholi but starting ARJ and bringing Gholi on could work too. Torabi needs to start, he's solid offensively and defensively and has great speed, strength, passing, and dribbling abilities. I would consider Moharrami in place of Ramin but he is injured. So Ramin's our best bet. Starting Ghoddos and Azmoun is a no brainer but leave it up to GN to manage to F that up too somehow...

[Nokhodi]

I just hope no matter what happens we have our usual subdued and calm reactions

[diz]

I just hope no matter what happens we have our usual subdued and calm reactions