Sports Mole: Iran vs Lebanon WCQ [Preview]

Sports Mole – TEHRAN, Lebanon and Iran close out their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns with a meeting at the Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad on Tuesday.

Both teams have little to play for heading into the final round of matches, with their respective fates as regards qualification already all but sealed.

With the sides already guaranteed a place in November’s World Cup, Iran fell to a 2-0 defeat against South Korea at the Seoul World Cup International Stadium on Thursday.

Goals in either half from Son Heung-min and Kim Young-Gwon saw Dragan Skocic’s men come away empty-handed following a toothless display in the Korean capital.

As a result, the Lions of Persia have dropped to second place in Group A of the Asian qualifiers, one point adrift of current leaders South Korea.

Next up is a clash versus an opposing outfit still looking for their first win in this fixture off the back of six consecutive losses dating back to 2000.

Unbeaten in home matches in over three years, Tuesday’s hosts are huge favourites to emerge victorious and cap off what has been a successful qualifying journey.

Lebanon were on the receiving end of a 3-0 thrashing against Syria when the teams faced off at the Saida Municipal on Thursday.

First-half goals from Alaa Al-Dali, Mardik Mardikian, and Mohammed Al-Marmour put Ivan Hasek’s men to the sword.

The Cedars are three points shy of the United Arab Emirates in the race for a play-off spot and would need results elsewhere to go their way if they are to reach the next stage in June.

Having scored the joint-fewest goals in the group, Tuesday’s visitors will need to get going at the attacking end to salvage their already faint hopes of a World Cup place.

Team News

Shoja Khalilzadeh was hauled off in the first half of Iran’s defeat to South Korea last time out, making him a doubt for this one.

Aref Gholami came on for Khalilzadeh in the aforementioned game and is expected to come into the starting XI should the latter be deemed unfit to participate.

The attacking trio of Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Saman Ghoddos, and Mehdi Taremi remain unavailable having tested positive for coronavirus.

Lebanon’s Abbas Assi had to come off with a minor injury on the stroke of halftime in his country’s most recent involvement, and the 26-year-old could miss Tuesday’s contest. Recent news also report that Lebanese forwards Hassan Mahanna and Mohammad Nasser have contracted COVID-19 ahead of the crucial match against Iran.

Iran – possible starting lineup:
Abezadeh; Gholami, Kanaani, Hosseini, Mohammadi; Gholizadeh, Hajsafi, Noorafkan, Nourollahi, Amiri; Azmoun

Lebanon – possible starting lineup:
Matar; Sabra, Al Zein, Oumari, El Zein; Ayoub, Dhaini, Haydar; Matar, Assi, Kdouh

Prediction:

We say: Iran 2-0 Lebanon

Iran have several key players missing at the top end of the pitch but should still have enough to see off the threat of Lebanon. We are backing the hosts to claim all three points come the final whistle.