Iran well prepared for Uzbekistan test

PFDC – TASHKENT, Iran will have a hard job against one of Asia’s emerging topsides in a World Cup qualifier in Tashkent’s JAR stadium on Sunday, however, the team’s coach and captain both believe Team Melli are well prepared for the challenge.

“Uzbekistan are a great team, but we are aiming a good start to our qualifying campaign”, skipper Javad Nekounam told reporters in the pre-match press conference in Tashkent on Saturday.

“We are fully prepared know about the importance of this game. We have analyzed Uzbekistan well and know what we want.”

Carlos Queiroz will certainly have to do without strikers Mohammad Ghazi, Mohammad Gholami, Reza Norouzi, Arash Afshin and long-time absentee Masoud Shojaei due to injury, while slightly hurt playmaker Mojtaba Jabbari and convalscent winger Ashkan Dejagah are doubtful.

Whereas Jabbari is likely to be match-fit, it will come down to a matchday decision for the Vfl Wolfsburg man, however Iran boss Carlos Queiroz doesn’t want to complain.

“It will be a match between two football teams, not certain players”, the former Real Madrid boss said and instead focused on the state of the team.

“We had a good training camp and the players are well prepared and in positive mood.”

Uzbekistan are missing quite a lot players due to injury and suspension, but Queiroz downplayed the importance of their absence too.

“We don’t focus on that issue as it’s not important to us. Only two of the missing players are regular starters and the abscence of all those players won’t have an impact”, the Portugese said, not without reminding the journalists that Uzbekistan defeated Asian champions Japan in Tokyo without most of these players in their latest World Cup qualifier.

Also Queiroz’ counterpart Vadim Abramov didn’t emphasize on this topic a lot and instead pointed out Iran’s qualities.

“This simply is a chance to gather valuable experience for some of our other good players.

“Iran are a very good team with experienced players, however, we are aiming for the three points.

“Everyone knows how strong the Iranian team is. They have good players in midfield and defense and are strong in set pieces.

“Players like Ali Karimi and Javad Nekounam have played in Europe for many years.

“Karimi might be past his prime, but he still is a very good player.”

Ali Karimi might indeed play a crucial role; the veteran playmaker could fill in for either Jabbari in offensive midfield or Dejagah on the wing, should either or both of them be unable to play.

Gholamreza Rezaei and Mohammad Ebrahimi would be other options in the attacking three of Queiroz’ usually preferred 4-3-3, while with allrounder Pejman Nouri and Ghasem Dehnavi two slightly more defensive options are available in midfield.

Uzbekistan – Iran
AFC World Cup qualifier round 4
Tashkent, JAR stadium, June 3, 19:00 local time (18:30 Tehran time)

Probable Iranian lineup: Rahmati – Heydari, Aghily, Hosseini, Pouladi – Teymourian, Nekounam, Jabbari – Karimi, Ansarifard, Khalatbari