China sparking bad Asian Cup memories for Iran

Persianfootball.com – ABU DHABI, The crowds in Beijing went roaring, when China’s goalkeeper quite easily caught Yahya Golmohammadi’s poorly chipped penalty kick. It was a damp a hot summer night in China’s capital and in that moment, China had knocked Iran out of the Asian Cup 2004.

The bitter semifinal loss, much helped by two scandalous false calls in favour of the hosts by the Lebanese referee Talaat Najm, should be the beginning of a knockout stage drought for Iran, as they didn’t manage to win any such encounter until Sunday’s 2-0 win over Oman.

On the other hand, Iran didn’t lose a single Asian Cup game in regular time since December 5, 1996, always reaching the knockout stage before bowing out on penalties or in extra time.

A draw in regular isn’t a too unlikely scenario for the quarter final clash on Thursday evening, considering China’s strengths and qualities.

Firstly, the Chinese will be the tallest and physically most robust Team Melli has to play in this competition so far. The physical advantage Iran were having in all games so far, will be nullified.

Additionally in Marcelo Lippi, the Chinese possess the highest decorated coach of the tournament, one who’s playing style resemebels Carlos Queiroz’s, basing on a very well organized defense.

Vahid Amiri missing

The nature of the opposition and the suspension of Vahid Amiri will trigger some changes in the Iranian lineup. Despite quite a few options to replace the left center midfielder in the 4-3-3, most likely the tall and robust Rouzbeh Cheshmi will overtake the central defensive midfield slot while Omid Ebrahimi will be moved slightly upfront.

Ehsan Hajsafi could return to the starting lineup despite being on a yellow card, while Majid Hosseini might have to make space for the taller Hossein Kanaanizadegan. Otherwise there is little reason to change the lineup, although Saman Ghoddos would always be good for a start.

Also China have a suspended player, as center-back Zhang Linpeng will be very much missed. To make things worse for Lippi, the second center-half, Feng Xiaoting, and key offensive player Wu Lei are struggling with health issues and doubtful for the Iran clash.

With both sides having a strong focus on organization and match each other in terms of physique, the higher individual strenghth of the Iranian player might make the difference on that night, just like it did in the previous encounter, a 1-0 victory in Tehran’s Azadi stadium thanks to a Mehdi Taremi goal in the most recent World Cup qualifying. Otherwise, extra time and penalty shootout might be looming again.

China – Iran
Asian Cup 2019, quarter final, Abu Dhabi

Iran’s possible lineup: Beiranvand – Ghafouri, Pouraliganji, Kanaani, Hajsafi – Cheshmi – Dejagah, Ebrahimi – Jahanbakhsh, Taremi – Azmoun