In a surprising twist of fate, Iranian coach Amir Ghalenoei voiced dissatisfaction over the scheduling of the Asian Cup quarter-final clash between Japan and Iran, suggesting that the two football powerhouses should have met in the final rather than in the quarters. Ghalenoei emphasized that both teams are peaking at the right time, with Japan showcasing improved quality in the knockout stage after an unexpected defeat in the group stage.
Group Stage Outcomes:
While Iran secured the top spot in their group with flawless performances, Japan faced a setback, finishing second after an unexpected loss to Iraq. Despite these varying outcomes, both teams are considered the top two Asian nations in FIFA’s world rankings.
Coach’s Perspective:
“I think Japan and Iran should have played each other in the final, but we’re playing them now in the quarter-final,” remarked Ghalenoei during a press conference ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated match. He highlighted the superior quality displayed by Japan in the knockout stage, emphasizing their peak performance.
Complaints about Schedule:
Ghalenoei also expressed discontent with the AFC’s tournament schedule, citing insufficient recovery time for his team after an extended match against Syria that went into extra time. Both Japan and Iran played their last-16 ties on Wednesday, and Ghalenoei pointed out that Iran had less recovery time than their upcoming opponents.
Keeper’s Perspective:
Iran’s goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, echoed Ghalenoei’s sentiments about the lack of recovery time but praised the medical staff for preparing the team for the challenging encounter. Despite physical strains and spasms, Beiranvand emphasized the importance of mental recovery and noted the team’s positive mood.
Japan’s Coach Perspective:
Japan’s coach, Hajime Moriyasu, acknowledged the tough schedule and described the quarter-final as a “great spectacle” between two of Asia’s top teams. He emphasized the need for professionalism and performance under given circumstances. Moriyasu highlighted the equal rest days for both teams but acknowledged Japan may have had a slight advantage in terms of minutes.
Key Player Suspension:
Iran will face the quarter-final without their top scorer, Mehdi Taremi, who is serving a suspension due to a red card in the last-16 win over Syria. Despite Taremi’s absence, Moriyasu expressed awareness of Iran’s attacking prowess, led by Sardar Azmoun, and acknowledged the potential challenges they could pose.
Anticipation Builds:
As the teams prepare for this highly anticipated clash, football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting a tough and competitive match between Asia’s football powerhouses, with both teams vying for a spot in the tournament’s later stages.
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Credit: Rohith Nair