Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Sunday's mouth-watering quarter-final clash between AFC U-16 Championship hosts Iran and Australia will witness an intriguing contrast of playing styles according to Joeys' coach Alistair Edwards.
While there are clear question marks over a defence that has surrendered the opening goal in all three of their Group A matches, Iran's attack has been in imperious form, with the tournament hosts defeating Laos (3-1), Yemen (4-1) and Kuwait (2-1) to record the highest number of goals in the group phase.
Australia, meanwhile, missed out on top spot in Group B following a penalty shootout defeat to Iraq after playing out a goalless draw that saw both sides emerge with identical records. Prior to that, the Joeys had recorded over Thailand (2-0) and Oman (2-1).
"What you will see tomorrow is two very contrasting styles," Edwards predicted at the pre-match press conference.
"Iran play very direct and try to get the ball forward as quickly as possible whereas we like to keep the ball and a possession-based style of football. We have to contain Iran and stop them getting forward quickly and make sure they don't have too much possession.
"I am very much looking forward to the game. We have played three good games and we have really enjoyed the experience. We are looking forward to playing Iran."
Edwards' young charges have been in impressive form during their time in Tehran but the question remains is how will they deal with the pressure of playing the tournament hosts with a place in the 2013 FIFA World Cup at stake.
But former Australia international Edwards insists that it is the Iranians that are carrying the heavier burden of expectation.
"Every game in this tournament is difficult but I think there are higher expectations on Iran from the fans and the media," he said.
"And high expectations have a way of having strange effects on players, particularly younger players.
"We have prepared well and played very well throughout the tournament. We are undefeated and have only conceded penalty goals.
"Iran is the biggest and strongest team in the tournament. They play direct football and I am very much looking forward to the game."
Iran coach Ali Doustimehr, meanwhile, has vowed his team will fight to the very end of Sunday's quarter-final clash and present qualification to next year's FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be held in the UAE, as a gift for the Iranian people.
"It will be a tough game but we will be doing our very best as tournament hosts as we want to qualify for the World Cup and give a nice gift for the Iranian people," he said.
"The players will give everything. They will double their efforts as they try give the people this gift."
But Doustimehr, who lead Iran at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria after guiding the Iranians to glory at the AFC U-16 Championship in Tashkent the previous year, knows Sunday's showdown will not be easy against a team he rates as one of the continent's best.
"Australia is a very big and strong team...one of the biggest in Asia," he said.
"They play a very physical game and are very professional and have performed well in all three games so far.
"We have had three days to rest and to prepare the players. They are ready to attack for the full 90 minutes so we have no concerns with the physical condition of the team.
"We have played against three very good teams in the group stage and I think a lot of people underestimated their quality. Yes, we conceded the first goal in all these matches but the players never gave up in the 90 minutes and we won these matches.
"They are young and will make mistakes but we have been working hard with them on this over the three days and I am sure you will not see this in tomorrow's match."
Iran's AFC U-16 Championship quarter-final clash with Australia kicks-off at 1700 Tehran time at the PAS Stadium on Sunday.