Iraqis are unbeaten now in their last 19 Games (last time their lost was to Qatar in AC 2019) and hence will be full of confidence. Even if they are almost certainly qualified for the next round, they won't do us any favor and will play full strength to win their game against Iran, given the heated rivalry & history between both Teams. They have less pressure and stress for advancing for the next round and can play more freely and lucid, which is also an slight advantage.
Judging from our previous encounters with Iraq from AFC 2011 up to this day, we had always difficulties with their intensity and high pressing specially in the first 20-30 mins of the Game. In our last game against Iraq, they controlled and closed the middle field pretty well; surely this had also todo with Masoud being in the Lineup, who doesn't fight and run much and is to slow in his decision making. So we need to improve our middle field, to control the rythm and pace of the game. Their key-players are Bashar Resan, Hamam, Mohanad, Ahmad Ibrahim, Adnan and Mohammed Qaseem.
Given the crucial impact of controlling the middle field in this game and the fact that we most likely need to win to go through, i would play a 3-5-2 System with following Lineup:
I think there is no need to argue for Beiro, Azmoun and Taremi being in the starting Lineup. Obviously if Amiri is available he would replace Ghaedi, otherwise i would play Ghaedi given his outstanding performance in the last game, his experience with Iraqi-Players in AC and technical abilities to creat chances or dangerous set-pieces. MiMo has to start in my opinion given his speed, which allows him to deal with technical players like Resan or Humam. I went for Shoja as CB because i think that Kanaani looked to unsecure and nervous when he gets pressed ( in the Bahrain Game f.e.). I think the crucial point would be to take Nourallahi out for this game, since he lacks the defensive abilities and work ethic to help us control the center. PAG on the other hand is very experienced, showed that he can make good decision when gets pressed and has of course great defensive skills. I think that him and Ezzi as DM would bring us the much needed control in the Middle-field.
I would also start ARJ over Gholizadeh in this games, simply because ARJ has better defensively skills which will benefit the main goal to control the middle-field. Ghoddus has to start for me he was an absolute best in the last two games. As potential Subs i would consider Gholizadeh who can be key against by then exhausted Iraqi Defenders, same goes with Torabi.
If we can weather a storm and keep up with the intensity that Iraqis usually bring in the first quarter of the game, we have great chances to win this game comfortably.
That beings said, i think Skocic Line Up will be like this:
Judging from our previous encounters with Iraq from AFC 2011 up to this day, we had always difficulties with their intensity and high pressing specially in the first 20-30 mins of the Game. In our last game against Iraq, they controlled and closed the middle field pretty well; surely this had also todo with Masoud being in the Lineup, who doesn't fight and run much and is to slow in his decision making. So we need to improve our middle field, to control the rythm and pace of the game. Their key-players are Bashar Resan, Hamam, Mohanad, Ahmad Ibrahim, Adnan and Mohammed Qaseem.
Given the crucial impact of controlling the middle field in this game and the fact that we most likely need to win to go through, i would play a 3-5-2 System with following Lineup:
Beio
Moharami--Shoja--MIMO
Ezzi-PAG
ARJ--Ghoddus--Ghaedi
Azmoun-Taremi
Moharami--Shoja--MIMO
Ezzi-PAG
ARJ--Ghoddus--Ghaedi
Azmoun-Taremi
I think there is no need to argue for Beiro, Azmoun and Taremi being in the starting Lineup. Obviously if Amiri is available he would replace Ghaedi, otherwise i would play Ghaedi given his outstanding performance in the last game, his experience with Iraqi-Players in AC and technical abilities to creat chances or dangerous set-pieces. MiMo has to start in my opinion given his speed, which allows him to deal with technical players like Resan or Humam. I went for Shoja as CB because i think that Kanaani looked to unsecure and nervous when he gets pressed ( in the Bahrain Game f.e.). I think the crucial point would be to take Nourallahi out for this game, since he lacks the defensive abilities and work ethic to help us control the center. PAG on the other hand is very experienced, showed that he can make good decision when gets pressed and has of course great defensive skills. I think that him and Ezzi as DM would bring us the much needed control in the Middle-field.
I would also start ARJ over Gholizadeh in this games, simply because ARJ has better defensively skills which will benefit the main goal to control the middle-field. Ghoddus has to start for me he was an absolute best in the last two games. As potential Subs i would consider Gholizadeh who can be key against by then exhausted Iraqi Defenders, same goes with Torabi.
If we can weather a storm and keep up with the intensity that Iraqis usually bring in the first quarter of the game, we have great chances to win this game comfortably.
That beings said, i think Skocic Line Up will be like this:
Beiro
Moharami--Kanaani--Shoja--MiMO
Nourollahi-Haysafi
Gholi--Taremi--Torabi
Azmoun
Moharami--Kanaani--Shoja--MiMO
Nourollahi-Haysafi
Gholi--Taremi--Torabi
Azmoun
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