Iran take on Russia’s finest in Abu Dhabi [VIDEO]

Sport360 – ABU DHABI, Andrei Arshavin, Igor Akinfeev and Roman Pavlyuchenko are just some of the names that will grace the field when Russia face Iran in a friendly at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, February 9.

And while Iran will look to erase memories of last month’s Asian Cup disappointment, Russia will attempt to get the best possible warm-up ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier with Armenia.

Russia, ranked 12th in the world, face the No62 ranked side in FIFA’s World Rankings, in Yerevan on March 26 looking to consolidate their grip at the top of Group B, which also houses Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Macedonia and Andorra.

Russia coach Dick Advocaat has already got his side’s 2012 European Championship qualifying campaign off to a flier and the Dutchman will be looking to use many of his top players, including Arshavin, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Pavlyuchenko in the match with Iran.

Alexander Kerzhakov of Zenit St Petersburg and Pavel Pogrebnyak of Bundesliga side Stuttgart are also some of the other big names heading to the UAE capital for the clash.

Meanwhile, three-time champions Iran were one of the tournament favourites at last month’s Asian Cup in Doha, which was eventually won by Japan, but their run in the competition ended at the quarter-finals stage following a slender 1-0 defeat by South Korea in extra time.

The Iranians looked solid for what would have been a record fourth title (Japan, who went in to Doha as three-time winners, have now achieved that feat) after breezing through the group stages of the competition where they were up against arch-rivals and defending champions Iraq, 2010 World Cup finalists North Korea and the United Arab Emirates. But Korea would prove too hot to handle.

Alireza Mansourian, who has been appointed interim coach for Team Melli, takes over from Afshin Ghotbi, who quit after their Asian heartbreak and has taken up a new assignment as boss of J-League outfit Shimizu S-Pulse.

Mansourian is expected to field a strong side, comprising most of Ghotbi’s Asian Cup side, in the match as he looks to rebuild towards the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Former Bolton and Fulham star Andranik Teymourian and Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei of Spanish La Liga side Osasuna are all expected to feature on Mansourian’s team sheet.

Mansourian, a midfielder who plied his trade in the German Bundesliga at St Pauli, was assistant coach to Ghotbi at the Asian Cup and will be assisted by Karim Bagheri, Asghar Hajilou and Mansour Rashidi.

He will be in charge until the Iranian Football Federation finds a suitable replacement for Ghotbi, with Roger Lemerre and Carlos Queiroz tipped to take over.

Meanwhile, the sides couldn’t have asked for a better venue than Zayed Sports City’s magnificent football stadium, which has served as the perfect setting for many big tournaments, including the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups, the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships and the 2007 Gulf Cup of Nations.

Match organisers will be expecting a large crowd to turn up for the clash and with tickets priced reasonably at Dh60 for the Lower Bowl, Dh90 for the Upper Bowl and Dh300 for VIP, seats are expected to be snapped up in no time for the big game.

WHAT: FIFA International Friendly – Iran v Russia

WHERE & WHEN: Zayed Sports City, February 9

TIME: 20:00 kick-off (gates open 17:00)

TICKETS: Lower Bowl – Dh60; Upper Bowl – Dh90; VIP – Dh300

An additional charge of Dh10 will be requested for all tickets purchased on match day.

Tickets may be purchased at the Zayed Sports City ticket office by calling 800 4669 (+97144443459) or by visiting TimeOutTickets.com

VERDICT: Two of the most exciting up-and-coming teams in modern-day football, both sides will make full use of the talent at their disposal, meaning the match will be one cracker of a contest!

By Duane Fonseca