Wales’ progress hangs by a thread
AFTER a listless performance against Iran losing 0-2 to Iran, Wales captain and the former Real Madrid striker Gareth Bale said he did not want to dwell on the defeat much because time does not allow it.
The Welsh take on the English in the Group B match on Wednesday with their chances of progressing to the next round hanging by a thread.
“We did not understand what happened, but in the end it cannot be said that we are satisfied with the level at which we played,” Bale said, adding his team were feeling frustrated after the loss to Iran at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
“We apologize to the fans who were present at the stadium and those who were watching on the screens in Wales and all over the world,” he said.
“What happened can only be described as very disappointing. We played with a high spirit throughout the first half … I don’t know what happened in the last minutes.”
Iran collected three precious points to temporarily occupy the second place in the group behind England on goal difference, ahead of England’s match against the United States. Wales have a lone point.
Wales goalkeeper Hennis Wayne received a red card in the 86th minute after a clash with Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi.
After several attempts, Iran scored their first goal with a powerful shot from substitute defender Rouzbeh Cheshmi in the eighth minute of extra time in the second half. A quick second counter-attack ensued in the eleventh minute with Ramin Rezaian coming up trumps.
Iran had lost their first match to England by six goals to two, its biggest loss in the history of the World Cup, while
Wales tied with the USA, both scoring a goal each.
Iran’s starting lineup did not include goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand who suffered a concussion during their match against England.
He was ruled out of the match according to FIFA protocol followed in the event of any player suffering a concussion. Manager Carlos Queiroz fielded Syed Hossein Hosseini in Alireza’s place. He also made other changes to the squad, notably including Bayer Leverkusen striker Sardar Azmoun at the expense of Feyenoord Rotterdam player Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Rouzbeh Cheshmi said it was “the solidarity between the team members” that helped them win the game.
We did not understand what happened, but in the end it cannot be said that we are satisfied with the level at which we played – Gareth Bale