Match against Iraq is crucial, says coach Queiroz
ABU DHABI: After helping guide the Iran through to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16, head coach Carlos Queiroz has reiterated just how important his side’s inal group stage game against Iraq will be for Team Melli.
Saturday’s 2-0 win over Vietnam, along with Iraq’s later defeat of Yemen, saw Iran – who have now won their opening two games at the AFC Asian Cup for the third tournament in a row – assure themselves of a place in the knockout phase.
While Wednesday’s fixture will undoubtedly rekindle memories of Iraq’s sensational quarter-final victory over the Iranians at the AFC Asian Cup’s last edition, it will also determine who finishes top of Group D, a fact not lost on Queiroz.
“In football, the next game is always the most important one, and the match against Iraq is a crucial one for us,” declared the Portuguese tactician.
“Everything we do will now revolve around the match against Iraq, as we need to be fully focused to play against them. Both teams will be fighting to finish first in the group, as well as [maintaining] their reputation.
“We will of course try everything we can to be better than them.”
Star striker Sardar Azmoun scored twice against Vietnam to take his tournament tally to three on a day when Iran registered a record ninth successive AFC Asian Cup group stage victory.
While acknowledging Azmoun’s impressive display, Queiroz was, however, at pains to point out how crucial he believes his entire squad will be if Iran are to harbour any ambitions of snaring their first AFC Asian Cup title since 1976.
“I believe that you need to have your entire squad ready to make a contribution at any moment,” he said.
“You can win games with starting line-ups, but you win championships with squads. My duty as a coach is to keep the 23 players positive and with a constructive attitude.”
Meanwhile, Vietnam head coach Park Hang-seo admitted that although the Southeast Asians struggled against Iran, he is not giving up on the hope that his side will still make it through to the Round of 16.
“Today we saw that Iran were much stronger than us, it was very difficult for us to compete with them,” he said.
“It is not easy to achieve the high level required [at the AFC Asian Cup] in such a short period. However, this competition is a great experience, my team is getting better and their future is a bright one.
“I think it will not be easy to qualify for the next round by our own efforts as we can only get a maximum of three points. But we are going to do our absolute best and we really hope to get three points in the next match.”