Asian powerhouses eye opening victories
Iran's Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz (R) looks on during a break in the first half during a Group F football match between Bosnia-Hercegovina and Iran at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI
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Loading...FIFA – DASHOGUZ, The stakes get higher as matchday 2 of Asia’s second round of qualifying for Russia 2018 begins on Tuesday. Not surprisingly, the competition looks set to draw greater attention from across the continent and even beyond as a host of top teams begin their campaigns. Indeed, this is the moment when Brazil 2014 campaigners Australia, Japan, Iran and Korea Republic all enter the fray.
In Group D, the majority of the attention is focused on Asia’s top-ranked side Iran who open their campaign away in Turkmenistan. Carlos Queiroz’s side may be the undisputed favourites, but the unfancied hosts, curiously, hold an undefeated record with two wins and two draws in the meetings between the two. The other match sees Guam, boosted by their home victory against Turkmenistan, entertain India, hoping to pull off another surprise against the world’s second most populous country.
Player to watch: Sardar Azmoun
Sardar Azmoun is expected to shoulder the goalscoring tasks as Iran seek their maiden victory against Turkmenistan. The 20-year-old prodigy proved one of Iran’s biggest revelations in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign, where he scored twice as Iran reached the last eight. With lightning speed and a good eye for goal, the Rostov forward can provide Team Melli with options to break the deadlock.
