Asian Cup 2015: Qatar face United Arab Emirates, Iran play Bahrain on day three
UP FOR THE CUP: United Arab Emirates and Iran set a cracking pace in Group C as the Socceroos contemplate life without captain Mile Jedinak.
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UNITED Arab Emirates and Iran have set a cracking pace in Group C at the Asian Cup and sent out a warning to their potential rivals.
UAE began Sunday by disposing of Qatar 4-1 at Canberra Stadium while Iran shrugged off a poor preparation to brush aside Bahrain 2-0 at AAMI Park.
With the impressive Omar Abdulrahman running the show, UAE were able to bounce back from conceding an early goal to dominate their Middle Eastern rivals - although some fairly ordinary goalkeeping also helped them.
Iran had a tougher time against Bahrain but once Ehsan Hajsafi broke the deadlock with an early candidate for goal of the tournament they were rarely threatened.
Team Melli has only played two friendlies since an impressive World Cup showing, but gave as good as they got in a high octane, physical encounter.
Playing a 4-3-3, Osasuna veteran Javad Nekounam bossed midfield in his 147th game for Iran.
DAY THREE RE-CAP
MATCH REPORT: UAE MAKE BOLD OPENING STATEMENT
UNITED Arab Emirates striker Ahmed Khalil grabbed an eccentric double in a 4-1 win over Qatar at Canberra Stadium. Khalil has now staked an early claim for the Asian Cup’s golden boot, but he has company after his teammate, Ali Mabkhout, also scored a brace. While Qatar’s Khalfan Ibrahim opened Group C’s goal account with a wonderful 15m chip against the run of play, UAE equalised in the 38th minute with the most bizarre goal of the Asian Cup to date. Khalil was credited with the goal but he seemingly didn’t know too much about it until the ball crossed the line after the impressive Omar Abdulrahman caused mischief inside the box.
MATCH REPORT: BRILLIANT IRAN SEND OUT OMINOUS WARNING
IRAN has had a woeful Asian Cup preparation, but a 2-0 win over Bahrain at AAMI Park on Sunday night may have played them into form. A world-class volley from winger Ehsan Hajsafi and less convincing but equally important finish from midfielder Masoud Shojaei secured Team Melli the points in their Group C opener. Iran’s players could have been excused for thinking they were playing in Tehran, with most of the 17,712 crowd clad in white and cheering every shot, save and tackle, producing a wonderful atmosphere. Asia’s highest ranked team (51) clearly has room for improvement, but coach Carlos Queiroz would be delighted ahead of a game they expect to win, against Qatar at ANZ Stadium on Thursday.
SOCCEROOS WATCH
Major talking points:
* Mile Jedinak ruled out of Tuesday night’s clash with Oman game with ankle injury
Socceroos will require a new captain for their second game of the Asian Cup, after Mile Jedinak was ruled out of Tuesday night’s game against Oman.
Jedinak hurt his left ankle close to halftime in Australia’s 4-1 win over Kuwait in Australia’s opening group game in Melbourne last Friday.
Jedinak soldiered on to the end of the game after receiving treatment, scoring a second half penalty along the way, but he hasn’t been able to recover quickly enough to take on Oman.
Coach Ange Postecoglou happy to take a wait and see approach with the Crystal Palace skipper when it comes to Saturday’s final group match against South Korea in Brisbane.
* Mark Milligan expected to get the nod to replace crocked skipper
* Versatile Nathan Burns looking for more game time
* Oman coach Paul Le Guen almost became Socceroos boss after 2010 World Cup
SOCIAL WATCH
.@Tsainsbury92 says we're going to show the fans what we're made of on Tuesday night http://t.co/kif3UVBvLS #OMAvAUS pic.twitter.com/z6WLEj9Pro
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 11, 2015
TODAY’S HEADLINE: SUNCORP GET GREEN LIGHT AFTER CHINA CRITICISM
ASIAN Cup officials have deemed Suncorp Stadium’s much-maligned playing surface to be good enough for the tournament despite admitting its appearance isn’t ideal.
As reported by The Courier-Mail on Saturday night, China coach Alain Perrin slammed the state of the pitch after his side’s 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
“It doesn’t deserve the competition this pitch … (it’s) very, very, very, very bad,” Perrin said.
Parts of the playing surface were re-laid only last Monday after grass failed to grow as expected.
As a result, the pitch looked patchy, despite neither side being seemingly affected by the surface.
MONDAY PREVIEWS
GROUP D
JAPAN v PALESTINE
6pm, Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
TAB odds: Japan $1.15, Draw $7, Palestine $15
THE PLOT
This match has the potential to be the Asian Cup’s most lopsided, but it makes it no less appetising. Along with Australia, Japan is the title favourite and will look to make a statement of intent in its first game, while Palestine is the competition’s fairytale story. Competing in their first major tournament, the 113th-ranked Palestinians are the underdogs who are destined to become the second team of many.
KEY PLAYERS
JAPAN
Third on Japan’s all-time leading scorers list, Mainz’s Shinji Okazaki could fill his boots here.
PALESTINE
Ashraf Nu’man is a Palestinian hero, having scored the winning goal in May’s Challenge Cup final that qualified the team for the Asian Cup.
JORDAN v IRAQ
8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TAB odds: Jordan $3, Draw $2.90, Iraq $2.50
THE PLOT
Jordan has won just one of its past 10 competitive matches against Iraq, losing seven, but this may be Al-Nashama’s best chance of causing an upset in some time. Iraq lost three of its qualifying matches for this tournament and only just scraped in, while Jordan only missed the 2014 World Cup after losing a two-legged playoff against South American giant Uruguay.
KEY PLAYERS
JORDAN
Experienced winger Odai Al Saify is the focal point of Jordan’s attack and will be required to perform to the same standard here as he did in Jordan’s run to the 2011 Asian Cup quarter finals.
IRAQ
Captain courageous Younus Mahmood lifted the trophy when Iraq saluted in 2007 and has had this tournament in his sights since he quit club football to focus on international duties 14 months ago.
Analysis by Matt Windley
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Qatar face United Arab Emirates, Iran play Bahrain on day three
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