Iran v Iraq, Asian Cup 2015: Carlos Queiroz knows what’s at stake for Team Melli

CARLOS Queiroz has been lauded as Iran’s mastermind but he knows how big the job is against Iraq on Friday night.

Carlos Queiroz (R), coach of Iran, speaks to player Soroush Rafiei (2nd L) during their Group C football match against the United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup in Brisbane on January 19, 2015. AFP PHOTO / John PRYKE --- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERICAL USE --

CARLOS Queiroz has been lauded as the mastermind of catapulting Iran to the top of Asia’s FIFA rankings since taking the job in 2011.

But the experienced campaigner surely knows he will be standing on dangerous turf if Team Melli blows its Asian Cup quarter final against bitter rival Iraq at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

Iran is FIFA ranked 51, 49 spots ahead of Australia who are ranked 10th in Asia.

The former assistant boss to Manchester United’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson says his side will need to keep emotions in check during the international derby which is destined to be fuelled by hot tempers.

“It’s not easy (controlling emotions of my players),’’ Queiroz, 62, said before Iran’s familiarisation session at Canberra Stadium on Thursday.

“Of course it’s a game I said to my boys this morning “everything to win, nothing to lose.”

“The main thing, the most important thing is to be focused and concentrated in our duties and our tasks.

“We know what to do, fight, play and enjoy the game.

“I think if my players direct their tensions and concentrations on their tasks, duties and dreams they have on the game it will be the right way to control the emotions and play and enjoy.”

With three clean sheets and four goals in Group C Iran joined South Korea and Japan as the only nations to make the knockout stage without conceding a goal.

But Queiroz highlighted the fact that Iraq has only conceded once in the three Group D matches.

And it was a penalty at that.

Samurai Blue superstar, AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda counted from the spot in a 1-0 win for Japan in Brisbane.

But Queiroz remained coy unwilling to say whether his side is fit enough for extra time or will practice penalty kicks during their final training session.

With both defences tight there is a very good chance more than 90 minutes will be needed to separate the rivals.

But there is no way the Portuguese mentor is underestimating Iraq.

“We played them in a friendly before the tournament started,’’ he said.

“I saw them play against Jordan and Japan and we are sure that we don’t underestimate the Iraqi team, it’s a good team.

“They played 10 matches before they came here, we played two.

“Since I arrived in Iran in 2011, the Iraqi team has played 73 games and we played 52.”

Iran captain Javad Nekounam will equal an Iranian record 149 caps if he plays in the knockout clash on Friday.

Nekounam joins Iran legend Ali Daei who Australians should remember well.

Daei featured in the Socceroos heartbreaking 2-2 draw with Iran in the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier which effectively sent Australia packing in front of more than 85,000 fans at the MCG.

But Osasuna of Spain’s Nekounam, 34, says Iran having players that have featured in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Asian Cup should give Iran the upper hand in tournament football after disappointing in Brazil claiming just a point in a scoreless draw with Nigeria.

“Obviously some of our players they have the experience to play in the short periods of time like the World Cup and the last Asian Cup,’’ he said.

“So some of us are used to it.”

Originally published as Iran v Iraq, Asian Cup 2015: Carlos Queiroz knows what’s at stake for Team Melli