“China a different proposition under Lippi”: Mehdi Taremi

AFC – TEHRAN, Striker Mehdi Taremi is adamant that Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers against China will be no easy ride for undefeated Group A leaders Islamic Republic of Iran due to the East Asians’ recent resurgence under coach Marcello Lippi.

Team Melli are yet to taste defeat on the Road to Russia having beaten Qatar on Thursday, thanks to Taremi’s winner in the 1-0 win in Doha, to extend their lead to four points at the summit of the standings.

However, Tuesday’s visitors to the Azadi Stadium enjoyed their own 1-0 victory on Matchday Six when they shocked Asian heavyweights Korea Republic in Changsha. And China are undefeated in the qualifiers since the Italian World Cup-winning tactician took over last October.

“The Chinese team had a different coach [Gao Hongbo] for the first few games of qualifying but now they have a big name at the helm,” said Taremi, who plays his club football for Tehran giants Persepolis.

“Marcello Lippi’s resume speaks for itself and no doubt the whole system of the team has changed and they are playing well now. It will be a very difficult game as the Chinese team has a decent chance and if we want to succeed we must make sure we focus well.

“With the preparations we have made, though, I believe we can dictate play, perform well, and get three points from this fixture.”

Taremi himself is likely to play a part in Tuesday’s proceedings having been involved in five of Iran’s six qualifiers so far but the 24-year-old admits that it is only in the last two years that have see him rise to the fore.

Top scorer in the Iran Pro League last season, the man from Bushehr in the south-western part of Iran is on fine form again in the 2016/2017 domestic campaign and has fired Persepolis to a 10-point lead at the summit of the table, as well as netting three goals in three AFC Champions League games so far.

“Two years ago I was only more or less introduced to Iranian football at a big club, Persepolis, there was a lot of pressure on me and I was struggling,” says Taremi.

“But right now I am much more comfortable and my form is good. Mentally and physically I’m doing well.

“In the national team I’ve been working with a very good coach [Carlos Queiroz] and he’s had a big impact on me, which I think has crossed over to my club form where I’m playing well too.”

Along with Taremi, Iran currently boast a wealth of young attacking talent with the likes of 22-year-old Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, 23, involved in the forward line.

Even the older forwards such as 25-year-old Sasan Ansari, Karim Ansarifard, 26, and the eldest, 29-year-old Reza Ghoochannejhad, are under 30.

“We’ve had some great teams in the past but the main difference between this side and the previous generations is that we have a lot of younger players with high potential,” said Taremi.

“This wasn’t so prevalent in the Iran teams before, and that’s going to help our country to more success in the future.”