Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Goa: Coach Abbas Chamanian is sweating over the fitness of captain Aref Alipour ahead of Islamic Republic of Iran’s AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 quarter-final clash with Vietnam at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
Defender Alipour (pictured) starred in Iran’s 3-2 opening-day win over Saudi Arabia and the subsequent 1-1 draw with United Arab Emirates, before sitting out of the 3-0 victory against India that guaranteed Chamanian’s team top spot in Group A.
The 2008 champions were grateful for stand-in captain Mohammad Sharifi, who scored two penalties in the final 10 minutes, one in stoppage time, to see off the hosts and advance to the last eight on top of the standings by virtue of goal difference.
“After the India game we analysed Vietnam and have seen they are a strong team with good tactics,” said Chamanian.
“We don’t have an easy game, we must prepare for a very, very hard game as they have a good defence and can counter-attack well. We will need to play very well to win this match.”
Whoever advances to the semi-finals will also book their ticket to the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India as one of the tournament’s four highest-placed teams.
“We are happy to be in the quarter-finals but we have the aim of making it to the World Cup next year,” added Chamanian. “After that we want to make sure we reach the final.”
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Opponents Vietnam are competing in only their second ever knockout stage at the continental tournament having also appeared in the last eight as hosts and debutants on route to reaching the semi-finals back in 2000.
“It was a very big effort from our players to get to this stage,” said assistant coach Luu Danh Minh, who has fitness concerns over defender Nguyen Huynh Sang. “It took a lot of determination and teamwork.
“We know they are a strong team with quality players and have been successful in Asia with both their senior and youth teams. We respect them and it will be an interesting game.”
The Southeast Asians recovered well from a 7-0 drubbing by Japan on Matchday One by coming from 2-0 down to defeat Australia 3-2 three days later.
And Dinh The Nam’s side again came from behind to overhaul Kyrgyzstan 3-1 in their final group game to advance as Group B runners-up.
“One of our strong points is our spirit,” added Luu. “We came back very strongly against both Australia and Kyrgyzstan after the coach told the players to keep calm.
“The target for us was to gain experience, and we didn’t set such a high target like the World Cup. We go into the match with the players feeling fresh and under almost no pressure.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports