Asian Cup Preview: Oman to seek resurrection from Iran

The Omani young guns, whose late onslaught pushed the defense of defending champions Japan to the end, go into Saturday's Group D match with Iran knowing that they needs at least one point to keep alive their hope of reaching the quarter-finals.

While Oman coach Milan Macala is convinced that the three days between the 1-0 loss to Japan and the crucial encounter with Iran is enough on time to recover physically, there is the question of how the players have recovered psychologically.

A few of the players were on the verge of tears after their brave efforts throughout the second half went un-rewarded. And the last thing that some would want is a match against three-time Asian Cup winners Iran, who comfortably saw off Thailand 3-0 in their opener.

But then, the performance against the Japanese, who missed several European-based stars, may have given them confidence. If the front-line of Yousuff Shaaban and Imad Ali, ably supported by the lively attacking midfielder Bader Mubarak, receive the same opportunities they had against Japan, only this time convert them, then an Oman upset is not entirely implausible.

"Undoubtedly Iran is a very strong team with some excellent players, and what is more, their 3-0 win over Thailand buoyed up their confidence. So my team will face a grim test when playing them," said Macala.

"I will ask my players to play to their maximum and try to seek a positive result," the Czech added.

Macala is likely to continue with this attacking trio given that forward Hashim Saleh is struggling with an injury. With no other fitness concerns emanating from the Oman camp, the Czech is unlikely to tinker too much with the side that started against Japan.

Their opponents in Saturday's game, which will be the first time the teams have met since Iran's 5-2 win in a Tehran friendly back in August 2001, are injury-free and in fine spirits after their convincing opening match win.

But Branko Ivankovic, the head coach of Iran, chose to take nothing for granted as to the Oman match. "Oman is a strong team and they put Japan in fear through 90 minutes. How many teams in Asia could do that? So we must be cautious," He said.

There are suggestions that Ivankovic may be tempted to try one or two different options in defense.

Yahya Golmohammadi was struggling at the end of the Thailand encounter and was replaced with six minutes left by Sayed Mohammad Alavi. Olympic star Eman Mobali may start in the Pirouzi defender's stead, with Alavi possibly coming in for Mohammad Nosrati on the right and Sattar Zare perhaps starting in place of the attack-minded Ali Badavi on the left.

With arguably the best arsenal of attackers at Asian Cup 2004, Ivankovic's only real concern upfront is whether it's WAFF Championship hero Arash Borhani or Reza Enayati, who opened the scoring against the Thais, that starts the match as strike partner to the legendary Ali Daei.

After his 86th minute penalty against the Thais, Daei is just five away from a century of international goals although the former Bayern Munich man will not mind too much drawing a blank as long as Iran secure the three points that will book their ticket to the quarter-finals.

"I did not perform well in the first game and only scored a penalty. I will be better in the next game, and our next two opponents are very strong, but we have made good preparations and are sure we will beat them," Daei said.

Source: Xinhua