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Struggling Iran in search of elusive victory
Troubled Iran may have finally put their house in order off the field, but on it things are not looking good for the three-times World Cup qualifiers.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:34 March 25, 2008
Bangkok : Troubled Iran may have finally put their house in order off the field, but on it things are not looking good for the three-times World Cup qualifiers.
Despite having untangled themselves from months of mess, including persistent political problems and a drawn-out coaching crisis, Iran are without a win since July and have not scored in six matches ahead of this week's World Cup qualifiers.
They travel to Kuwait tomorrow desperate for victory to make amends for a string of uninspiring performances, including a humiliating goalless draw at home to part-timers Syria in their opening Group 5 qualifier.
Now that all-time top goalscorer and former Asian player of the year Ali Daei is in charge, Iran's players can no longer complain of a lack of leadership and their impatient fans will expect nothing less than three points.
South Korea, aiming for a place at their seventh successive World Cup, take on North Korea and have drafted in three England-based players to fortify their lead at the top of Group 3.
Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Fulham's Seol Ki-hyeon and Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham have all been called up.
Confident of reaching their fourth successive finals, Japan will field only domestic league players for their match away to Group 2 leaders Bahrain.
Asian World Cup qualifyiers:
Group 1
In Doha
Qatar v Iraq (1530)
In Kunming, China
China v Australia (0600)
Group 2
In Bangkok
Thailand v Oman (1200)
In Manama
Bahrain v Japan (1420)
Group 3
In Ashgabat
Turkmenistan v Jordan (1200)
In Shanghai
North Korea v South Korea (1100)
Group 4
In Singapore
Singapore v Lebanon (1130)
In Tashkent
Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia (1100)
Group 5
In Damascus
Syria v UAE (1130)
In Kuwait City
Kuwait v Iran (1245)
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