Katanec says Iraq to play better soccer against Iran

Xinhua – DUBAI, Iraqi national soccer team coach Srecko Katanec said that his boys will play a better game against stronger teams like Iran in the ongoing 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Persian Football reported.

“You can’t compare the match we had with Vietnam and Yemen with the match (we are going to have) against Iran,” Katanec said.

“Vietnam played very fluid soccer for the first 45 minutes and we came out on top. Against Yemen, we were a little complacent and maybe that’s why we need to play a strong team, on paper, like Iran,” the Slovenian coach said.

Iraq will play Group D leader Iran in its final tie on Wednesday.

“Maybe I’ll give chances for other players in the next game against Iran. We will see. I can’t say for sure what my tactics will be against Iran, maybe three at the back, four or even five,” Katanec added.

Iraq now sit second in Group D with six points from two matches at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup competitions held in the UAE from January 5 to February 1.