Australia 2015 qualifiers MD4: Group B preview

AFC – BANGKOK, Table-topping Iran face struggling Thailand with the three-time AFC Asian Cup winners seeking to move a step closer to qualification in Group B on Friday.

Two goals in four second half minutes from Jalal Hosseini and Reza Ghoochannejhad in Tehran last month saw Iran extend their unbeaten start in Group B after posting a 2-1 win at Azadi Stadium.

But after Teerasil Dangda’s strike set-up a tense final 10 minutes, coach Carlos Queiroz is remaining cautious ahead of the meeting at Rajamangala Stadium.

“I wish both teams will perform a beautiful game for the sake of the supporters who will fill the stadium,” said Queiroz.

“I admire Thailand’s coach as he gave us hard times in the last game, but I believe my team can beat them once again.

“Thailand has such a good flow of attack as they have a great coach. We were leading against them 2-0, but they show their great spirit to grab a goal back. I respect them and this is not an easy game for us.”

Despite that late fightback in Tehran, Thailand are currently four points adrift of third place Lebanon.

But with Thailand in desperate need to pick up their first points of the campaign, coach Surachai Jaturapattarapong has promised the home side will look to attack from the start with Teerasil and Chatree Chim set to lead the forward line.

“I want full house tomorrow. The more who come, the more we’ll bring it to Iran. I promise we’ll attack them right from the start and not sit back like the last match,” said Surachai, who is without forward Teeratep Winothai due to suspension.

“This national team does not belong to the coaches or the players. It belongs to none of us but all of us and the home game will be different. We may have had to play defence-oriented in the first match, but tomorrow we will go all-out attack.

“I will put Teerasil and Chatree up the front which means we will go full ahead right from the start, but we won’t be careless. We are aiming to get three points and a draw is the minimum I expect.”
Meanwhile Lebanon are boosted by the return of captain Roda Antar for Friday’s 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait with the midfielder having previously retired from the national team. Antar retired prior to March’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Uzbekistan, but having missed last month’s 1-1 draw with Kuwait due to suspension, the 33-year-old has travelled with Giuseppe Giannini’s side to Kuwait City.

Lebanon, who lost 1-0 to Bahrain in a friendly on Saturday, are currently third in Group B but sit just a point behind second place Kuwait.

“The match is really important especially because the two teams know each other well and they both want to qualify from the group although it will not be decisive since there will be two more matches left,” said Lebanon coach Giannini.

“We prepared very well for the match and had a good training camp. I hope that the players will not be affected by the pressure because the match is important and that they will give all their best to achieve a good result.

“We have good individual players but I always concentrate on the co-operation between the players on the pitch. We respect Kuwait and we should not underestimate them even if they are missing key players.”

Kuwait are without striker Bader Al Motawaa through injury, although defender Hussain Fadhel is eligible to return to the side having missed last month’s draw in Beirut due to suspension.

“The match is important but it doesn’t secure our place in the finals as the two teams will still have a chance in the next two matches,” said Kuwait coach Jorvan Vieira, who saw his side beat Malaysia 3-0 in a friendly on Friday.

“Football taught us previously that we should be careful and not underestimate any opponents as surprises can happen and there could be different incidents which affect the circumstances of the match.

“Lebanon’s performances have improved recently, but we are a good side as well and we have good players who are determined to have a good performance and get a positive result for us.”