Iran to test themselves against Uzbekistan in friendly
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Loading...AFC – TEHRAN, Islamic Republic of Iran will kick-off their final phase of preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with a friendly against Asian rivals Uzbekistan on Saturday.
The match will give Carlos Queiroz a chance to gauge his players as the IR Iran head coach works on his 35-player squad ahead of the FIFA World Cup which kicks off on June 14.
Queiroz will have to trim his final squad to 23 players and Saturday’s friendly against Uzbekistan and the May 29 tie against Turkey will be the final avenues for the players to prove their selection worth. The final squad has to be named by June 3.
Queiroz revealed his 35-man preliminary squad earlier this week with Dutch Eredivisie top scorer Alireza Jahanbakhsh heading the bill as Team Melli, Asia’s top-ranked team, get set for playing in back-to-back FIFA World Cups for the first time in their history.
Steven Beitashour, who has not appeared for his country since Brazil 2014, also has the opportunity to make the final squad, while U-20 World Cup captain Omid Norafkan was also presented with the chance to prove himself, alongside uncapped Esteghlal teammate Majid Hosseini.
Sardar Azmoun’s inclusion also means the striker is set to face off against Spain in the Kazan Arena, where he plays his club football with Rubin Kazan. Iran will also face European champions Portugal and Morocco in Group B.
