Iraq vs Iran AFC U-14 Championship (SF) Preview [PHOTOS]

AFC – Hamedan,  August 10, 2014 – Iraq coach Saad Hashim is looking for solace to the ongoing crisis in Iraq by offering the country the AFC U-14 Championship title as they prepare for the semi-finals showdown against host Iran.

Hashim believes that the football-mad country will find something to cheer for if Iraq outwit archrivals Iran at the Hajibababei Stadium of Hamedan on Monday.

“We are so close with Iran and we have so many similarities and we are both foe and friends of Iran in football,” Hashim said.

“For me, tomorrow’s match is a final. Both the sides want to win the match and I am sure both the sides are ready to offer entertaining football.

“The current situation back home put us (officials) on a much uncomfortable situation as we are handling these young kids away from home but Hamedan is like a home for us and win on Monday would put behind our woes and we continue to concentrate on football,” he added.

Being hosts, Iran have a pressure to produce result and march in into the final but coach Heidar Sharifi is on no mood to imply tremendous pressures on his young players.

“We let them play and enjoy the match instead of putting the pressure of winning,” said Sharifi.
“Obviously our aim is to win this tournament but we should not forget the purpose of these age-group competitions.

“Iraq are strong opponents and we must respect them in the pitch but it does not mean that we pay attention only on our defensive aspects of the game. We will try to play our normal game and overpower Iraq,” he added.

Iraq, unbeaten in the tournament, topped Group B with seven points from three matches while Iran suffered a 1-0 reverse against Group A leader DPR Korea.

Monday will feature another high-profile match between DPR Korea and Korea Republic.”