Iran’s quest to end a 43-year drought at the Asian Cup kicks up a gear on Sunday when they meet knockout-debutants Oman.
Here are the talking points ahead of the round-of-16 meeting at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium:
Sardar’s back
Recriminations after Iran’s group-stage exit at World Cup 2018 proved too personal for Sardar Azmoun.
Illness for his mother because of the personal insults he received saw Team Melli’s great hope retire at just 23-years old. He was back in the fold by October, however, and has been a real asset in the UAE.
The Rubin Kazan forward’s hold-up play is without compare on the continent, plus his eye for goal – absent in Russia – is shown by three strikes in three appearances for the Group D winners.
Azmoun got a brace against Oman during World Cup 2018 qualifying nearly three years ago and you’d back a similar return in Abu Dhabi.
Pim’s progress
Oman only scraped into the knockouts as a best third-placed finisher, their spot being effectively confirmed by Mohammed Al Musallami’s 93rd-minute header in a 3-1 win against Turkmenistan.
This, however, does not do justice to their creditable performances to date. The hero of last year’s shock Gulf Cup win, goalkeeper Fahad Al Rushaidi, committed an awful error in a 2-1 defeat to Uzbekistan and record four-time winners Japan created precious little during their 1-0 win.
A chasmic 52 places separate Iran (29) from Oman (82) in the FIFA rankings. But their displays to date make an upset possible.
أبرز ما جاء في المؤتمر الصحفي لمدرب منتخبنا الوطني بيم فيربيك الخاص بمواجهة إيران.#سوية_للآسوية #كأس_آسيا2019 pic.twitter.com/W0Bp8C9klw
— OFA - Official Page (@OmanFA) January 19, 2019
Centre of the problem
Head coach Carlos Queiroz has a decision to make.
Success during the Portuguese’s historic eight-year stint has been built from the back. Only five goals were let in during 18 World Cup 2018 qualifiers and no goals have been conceded, to date, in the UAE.
Eupen’s Morteza Pouraliganji is a lock at centre-back. But usual partner Majid Hosseini was substituted at half-time after a reckless opener against Yemen but was much improved against Iraq, while Hossein Kanaanizadegan was solid against Vietnam.
