AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualifiers matchday 3: Group B preview

AFC – TEHRAN, Iran’s unbeaten record against Thailand means little to coach Carlos Queiroz ahead of Tuesday’s 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Group B.

Iran are flying high at the moment having qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup while also making an unbeaten start to their Group B campaign having thumped Lebanon 5-0 before drawing 1-1 with Kuwait in August.

But despite Thailand heading to Azadi Stadium having lost to both Kuwait and Lebanon, Queiroz is demanding his side remain focused on following up qualification for Brazil by remaining on course for the 2015 finals in Australia.

“The fact that we have never lost to Thailand before does not mean that we will be having an easy task on Tuesday afternoon. We can’t beat the Thais without trying hard. Thinking about the past and previous wins doesn’t mean anything to us,” said Queiroz.

“What is important for us is the game we have in front of us. We are fully focused on that and we have duties and responsibilities as our purpose is qualifying for finals in Australia.

“We will be playing at home and our preoccupation is merely the three points from the match. We respect the Thai team, we know they have beaten China 5-1 away from home and then beat Bahrain in an international friendly.”

Thailand are unbeaten in their last two games having recorded friendly wins over China and Bahrain and coach Surachai Jaturapattarapong is looking for his side to continue their improvements and pick up their first points in Group B.

“It’s a very important match for us. We know Iran are very strong; they have already qualified for the World Cup. We don’t have any points so far, and while we know Iran are the better side, we are confident to seize a point from Iran,” said Surachai.

“The strongest point we have is our team work and team spirit. We will all stick together to get a good result, while we are also very disciplined.”

Also in Group B on Tuesday, second-placed Kuwait travel to Beirut to face Lebanon without defender Hussain Fadhel and striker Bader Al Mutwa.

Fadhel is ruled out through suspension, while Al Mutwa.suffered a foot injury in Wednesday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Jordan.

“We have a decisive and sensitive match against Lebanon but we are ready for it. We might be missing some good players but I look at the whole team playing against another team because football is a team sport not an individual one,” said Kuwait coach Jorvan Vieira, who led Iraq to victory at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.

“We are ready for the job tomorrow as we prepared well and hopefully we can perform the tactics that we have on the pitch in order to get three points because a win is really important in our qualifying campaign.”

Lebanon coach Giuseppe Giannini does also have a selection headache with midfielder Abbas Ali Atwi missing due to injury, although defender Nour Mansour is eligible to return after missing the 5-2 win over Thailand in March having been sent-off in the 5-0 defeat by Iran at the start of the campaign.

Former Italy international Giannini is set to take charge of his first game in the qualifiers for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup having succeeded German Theo Bucker at the end of the qualifying campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“The match against Kuwait is very important as it will be the first official match for me with the team. The preparations have been good and I have full confidence in my players that they will have a good performance in the match,” said Lebanon coach Giannini, who saw his side share a 1-1 draw with Iraq on Tuesday.

“We will be facing a tough team that has quick and talented players while we will also be missing some key players.

“However, we are ready for the match especially because the team have prepared well and I hope that the fans will support us with big numbers.”