Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers Third Round: Uzbekistan vs. Iran [PREVIEW]

AFC – TASHKENT, Uzbekistan boast Group A’s only 100% record after wins over Syria and Qatar but they will face another tough test with the visit of Islamic Republic of Iran who are also undefeated in their own Russia 2018 Asian Qualifying Third Round campaign so far.

*Uzbekistan coach Samvel Babayan believes his side are facing a big challenge with the visit of “Asia’s number one side”.

*Top of Group A battle enthuses Iran coach Carlos Queiroz who feels side improving year on year.

*Hosts skipper Odil Akhmedov is an injury doubt with Server Djeparov expected to wear the captain’s armband.

*Midfielders Ashkan Dejagah and Alireza Jahanbakhsh back in contention for the visitors after injury-enforced absences.

*After a win and a draw in their first two games Iran are second in Group A, two points behind early leaders Uzbekistan.

Match Details
Date: 6 October 2016 (Thursday)
Kickoff time: 6pm UST, 1pm GMT
Venue: Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent
Referee: Benjamin Williams (Australia)

Coach Quotes

Samvel Babayan, Uzbekistan
“Thursday’s game see us come up against the group favorites. They are the number one ranked team in Asia and they have many high level players playing at European teams. But we have studied Iran very well and we will try to show good football.

“They are all strong teams at this stage of qualifying. For example, Syria showed a good performance against both us and Korea Republic in the first two matches. Each game we play becomes the most important game at this stage. But we are thinking only of Iran now. We watched many of their games and we will try to find way to beat them. My players are ready for any situation in the match and our aim is to win.”

Carlos Queiroz, Iran
“We will play against the best team in our group on Thursday. Uzbekistan won their first two matches and are leaders in Group A. Nonetheless, my team will try to secure the win for the Iranian people. My team is clearly improving year on year. When I began to work in Iran we had only one player playing for a European side, now we have 11 who are at various clubs in Europe.

“[Ashkan] Dejagah and [Alireza] Jahanbakhsh were injured some time ago, but they have recovered and are ready to play against Uzbekistan. It is good news for Iran and bad news for Uzbekistan. Of course, Iran has star players aside from those two, we are a team not individuals, and we have no player selection issues for the game.”

Head-to-Head Record
11/06/15 Uzbekistan 0-1 Iran
15/11/12 Iran 0-1 Uzbekistan
03/06/12 Uzbekistan 0-1 Iran
05/09/09 Uzbekistan 0-0 Iran
11/07/07 Iran 2-1 Uzbekistan

Form
Uzbekistan LWWWW
Iran WWWWD

How they fared on MD2

Qatar 0-1 Uzbekistan
Egor Krimets’ 86th minute header maintained Uzbekistan’s perfect start to their campaign to qualify for Russia 2018 as the defender scored the only goal of the game and secure a second consecutive 1-0 win for the White Wolves, after they bested Syria by the same scoreline on Matchday One.

China 0-0 Iran
Iran played out a goalless stalemate with China in front of a partisan crowd at Shenyang Olympic Stadium with neither side able to get the better of proceedings. Carlos Queiroz’s side did maintain their unbeaten record, though, and the coach was happy with a point from a tough away fixture.