Iran a different class concedes Katanec
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
AFC – DOHA, Coach Srecko Katanec conceded that Iran are at a different level to the UAE after the three-time champions maintained their unbeaten run at the AFC AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ with a 3-0 win at Qatar Sports Club Stadium on Wednesday.
The Iranians, who had made a raft of changes to their starting line-up for the match, took the lead in the 70th minute through Arash Afshin, who was sent off two minutes later for a second bookable offence.
Khalid Sebil was also shown a second yellow for the UAE soon after before Iran wrapped up the win with a late Mohammad Nori strike, before the luckless Walid Abbas scored a second stoppage-time own goal in as many games.
While Iran progress to the quarter-finals, the UAE head home without a win at the tournament but Katanec could not fault the effort of his players, admitting they always faced an uphill task in a tough Group D.
“Physically we are not in the same level as Iraq, Iran or DPR Korea players,” he said. “It is normal that in the third game many players will get physical problems. Many of them were tired.
“Persian Gulf teams are not prepared well physically. They are not at the same level as others because the players play in the local area. The likes of Iran have players from in Europe and this is a big thing.
“We were without some 5% of luck, we scored own goals so that is it. This is the reality; we played in a very strong group.
“But we played good football and we must lift our heads up and work hard for the future.”
The UAE had gone into the game with the chance to join Iran in the last eight and for much of the match they were the better side.
However, they were unable to make the most of their chances when they presented themselves and Katanec admitted that ultimately proved their undoing.
“Football is like this,” accepted Katanec.
“In the first game we had a number of shots on goal, but didn’t score, then in the second game we had 17 shots, hit the post and everything but didn’t score.
“Sometimes football can be really strange, but sometimes it is good because of this.”
With their chances of victory fading as the game wore on, Katanec opted to give some of the younger members of his squad the opportunity to test themselves against a team like Iran.
“In the second half I wanted to give young players a chance as I needed to see them at this level,” he added.
“I would not have the chance to see these players against such a strong team otherwise.”
