Iran learns new dates at World Cup qualifiers
Iran will resume its 2022 World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign on October 8, taking on Hong Kong in Group C of the qualifiers.
The Asian powerhouse was to play Hong Kong and Cambodia in late March – and face Bahrain and Iraq in early June – before all Asian qualifiers were suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is yet to confirm the venues for the rescheduled fixtures, but should the Asian football governing body stick to the previous plan, Iran will be hosting three of its remaining ties – except for the away game in Cambodia.
In his second official match as Iran’s manager, Dragan Skocic will lead his side against Cambodia on October 13.
The two decisive matches for Iran will probably come in the space of six days in November.
Skocic’s men will first meet Bahrain on November 12, before squaring off against Iraq on November 17.
Iran – eyeing a third successive qualification for the World Cup – got off to a flying start in the group under new manager Marc Wilmots, beating Hong Kong 2-0 away and thrashing Cambodia 14-0 in Tehran.
However, consecutive away defeats against Bahrain (1-0) and Iraq (2-1) saw Iran part ways with the Belgian manager.
Iran currently sits third in the group with six points, trailing group leader Iraq and Bahrain by five and three points – albeit with a game in hand.
The eight group winners and four best runners-up across all groups will advance to the final round of qualifiers.