Iran wary of wounded Qatar but focused on their own effort

DpaNews – SYDNEY, Iran are aware they face a wounded Qatar in their Asian Cup Group C clash in Sydney on Thursday, but they are intending to focus on their own team rather than worry about the opposition.

“Definitely, we have a difficult game against Qatar tomorrow,” midfielder Andranik Teymourian told a news conference Wednesday.

“They lost their first game against the United Arab Emirates and they’ll try their absolute best tomorrow because it’s their final chance if they want to qualify for the knock-out stages.”

Teymourian did not train with the team on Tuesday, instead going through checks with medical staff, but dismissed concerns over his fitness.

“After the Bahrain game, I felt a little fatigue in my leg muscles,” he said. “With the team doctor and staff, I did attend training in the fitness room. We went through check ups and I’m feeling completely fine. I will train with team today.”

With Teymourian recovered, coach Carlos Queiroz could potentially name an unchanged eleven from that which defeated Bahrain 2-0 in the opening game.

But the Portuguese hinted that some tactical alterations could be made, even if he would not contemplate wholescale rotation.

“The decisions I’m going to make tomorrow are based on tactical adjustments,” Queiroz said. “Our group is quite different from Australia’s group, in our group we have four candidates with the possibility of reaching the second round so we cannot take chances.”

Queiroz said Qatar’s 4-1 loss in their opening match was not a true reflection of their ability and that he expected a tough challenge.

“It will be a difficult game for both teams,” he said. “We know that we face a well prepared and motivated Qatar team after their success in the Gulf Cup.

“We just once again try to oppose the team of Qatar with our football, our attitude, and try to do our best to be the best team on the pitch.”