maij
01-14-2009, 05:58 AM
The prospect of facing the formidable three-time continental champions Iran in freezing temperatures at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran might be akin to scaling the neighbouring Alborz mountain ranges to many, but Lions coach Radojko Avramovic has taken the task in his stride. Knowing full well that a confident performance by his players against Iran will set the tone for the rest of this qualification contest, Avramovic is looking forward to exploiting the weakness in the Iranian team in his team’s opening match of the AFC Asian Cup campaign on Wednesday.
But the Lions coach is not taking the Iranian team lightly as he is well aware of the quality possessed by his opposite number, Ali Daei.
“For the past 10 years, Iran has been one of the best teams in Asia. They have participated in the World and Asian Cups and have very good club sides who have consistently qualified for the Asian Champions League.
“They also have an abundance of quality players, including a number of them who are playing in top level competitions in Spain and Germany,” Avramovic added.
However, the local dailies claim these legionnaires, as foreign-based Iranian players are known, have not been called up to the Iranian squad as they have been told to concentrate on club commitments.
Players such as Javad Nekounam (Osasuna), Masoud Shojaee (Osasuna), Vahid Hashemian (Vfl Bochum) and Andranik Teymourian (Fulham FC) are some of those who have elected to stay with their respective clubs.
The task will not be easy for the Lions even with these players missing from Team Melli as Singapore has problems of its own.
The Lions are severely depleted in the striking department, but Avramovic has come up with a solution that might just undo the Iranian defence.
“Our striking situation at the moment is not ideal. I can’t choose the best players that are in Singapore, but a situation like this happens sometimes and I have to find a solution for it.
“We currently have four strikers in the team. Indra Sahdan, Noh Alam Shah, Agu Casmir and Ridhuan Muhammud and I have to choose between these four and decide when and how they will play for the team.
“I am going to start with Indra and Alam Shah and as the game progresses Agu and Riduan will feature in the game as I see fit.”
Adding another obstacle to the Lions challenge is the weather, which has been a headache to the players who are more used to the hot and humid environment in Singapore.
“The weather without a doubt is cold here in Tehran but it is something we have to cope with. I know the players will struggle to last the full 90 minutes as they are not used to the cold and the dry air here in Tehran,” said Avramovic.
“I know this is a big obstacle but we must put in more effort and I know the players will give it all their best to get a result.
“As long we do not lose the game, I think that will be a great result,” said a pragmatic Avramovic.
AFC Asian Cup qualification Group E
I.R. Iran vs Singapore
Wednesday 14 January
3.00pm, Iran time (7.30pm Singapore time)
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Singapore probable lineup: Lionel Lewis (GK), Ismail Yunos , Baihakki Khaizan, Precious Emuejeraye, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak, Fahrudin Mustafic, Isa Halim, John Wilkinson, Noh Alam Shah, Indra Sahdan
Substitutes: Hassan Sunny (GK), Mohd Noh Rahman, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Rosman Sulaiman, Mustaqim Mansur, Shi Jiayi, Ridhuan Muhammud, Agu Casmir<!-- WYSIWYG MODE -->
Source : FAS
But the Lions coach is not taking the Iranian team lightly as he is well aware of the quality possessed by his opposite number, Ali Daei.
“For the past 10 years, Iran has been one of the best teams in Asia. They have participated in the World and Asian Cups and have very good club sides who have consistently qualified for the Asian Champions League.
“They also have an abundance of quality players, including a number of them who are playing in top level competitions in Spain and Germany,” Avramovic added.
However, the local dailies claim these legionnaires, as foreign-based Iranian players are known, have not been called up to the Iranian squad as they have been told to concentrate on club commitments.
Players such as Javad Nekounam (Osasuna), Masoud Shojaee (Osasuna), Vahid Hashemian (Vfl Bochum) and Andranik Teymourian (Fulham FC) are some of those who have elected to stay with their respective clubs.
The task will not be easy for the Lions even with these players missing from Team Melli as Singapore has problems of its own.
The Lions are severely depleted in the striking department, but Avramovic has come up with a solution that might just undo the Iranian defence.
“Our striking situation at the moment is not ideal. I can’t choose the best players that are in Singapore, but a situation like this happens sometimes and I have to find a solution for it.
“We currently have four strikers in the team. Indra Sahdan, Noh Alam Shah, Agu Casmir and Ridhuan Muhammud and I have to choose between these four and decide when and how they will play for the team.
“I am going to start with Indra and Alam Shah and as the game progresses Agu and Riduan will feature in the game as I see fit.”
Adding another obstacle to the Lions challenge is the weather, which has been a headache to the players who are more used to the hot and humid environment in Singapore.
“The weather without a doubt is cold here in Tehran but it is something we have to cope with. I know the players will struggle to last the full 90 minutes as they are not used to the cold and the dry air here in Tehran,” said Avramovic.
“I know this is a big obstacle but we must put in more effort and I know the players will give it all their best to get a result.
“As long we do not lose the game, I think that will be a great result,” said a pragmatic Avramovic.
AFC Asian Cup qualification Group E
I.R. Iran vs Singapore
Wednesday 14 January
3.00pm, Iran time (7.30pm Singapore time)
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Singapore probable lineup: Lionel Lewis (GK), Ismail Yunos , Baihakki Khaizan, Precious Emuejeraye, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak, Fahrudin Mustafic, Isa Halim, John Wilkinson, Noh Alam Shah, Indra Sahdan
Substitutes: Hassan Sunny (GK), Mohd Noh Rahman, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Rosman Sulaiman, Mustaqim Mansur, Shi Jiayi, Ridhuan Muhammud, Agu Casmir<!-- WYSIWYG MODE -->
Source : FAS