Ivankovic pragmatic about suspensions

Asiancup2004 – Ice-cool Iran coach Branko Ivankovic has taken a measured approach to the fact that he is likely to be without three of his first choice back four for the crucial final Group D match with Japan on Wednesday, after the AFC’s decision to suspend Mohammad Nosrati for four matches and Rahman Rezaei and Ali Badavi for two games each following incidents during Iran’s 2-2 draw with Oman on Saturday.

Nosrati, who scored the injury-time equaliser, was sanctioned for stamping on Oman’s two-goal hero Imad Ali, while Rezaei and Badavi earned their bans for a 55th minute spat that saw both players exchanging blows.

According to an AFC media release the three players’ actions have been considered violent conduct in accordance with Article 48 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.

“I found out about the suspension of the players and after training today over the next few days I will make the decision on how I will replace them for the game against Japan,” a surprisingly upbeat Ivankovic told FootballAsia.com

“My plan as with every match is always to try and win the game with whatever players I have,” he said with a hearty smile.

The Croat suggested that the three-time Asian Cup champions will lodge a formal appeal against the AFC’s disciplinary measures, particularly as he feels there was no malice on the part of Nosrati when he stamped on Imad Ali.

“Of course we are likely to appeal the AFC’s decision as I think Nosrati didn’t stamp on the player intentionally. The way he was running towards the Oman player and his body position suggests to me that the incident was just an accident.”

Ivankovic also said he will look into the incident between national team defensive stalwart Rezaei and the 22-year-old Badavi, although he has attributed the confrontation partly to a combination of the pressure of the Oman match and the natural passion for the game that the Iranians are famous throughout Asia for.

“This is the first time in three years with Iran that I have seen anything like that happen. I never got a good opportunity to talk with the players after the match because of the obligation with the press but we will discuss it at a meeting today.

“Iranians are very emotional players and sometimes this can cause problems. I try to put my cool face on and instruct them to try and play less with emotion and more with ‘brains’.

“There was a lot of pressure on the players in the Oman game and the expectations on them was very high. I thought the players gave 100% and did a very good job.”

Although keen not to dwell on the situation, Ivankovic appeared disappointed that Rezaei - who plays in Italy with newly-promoted Serie A side Messina, the Sicilian outfit he joined after spending two seasons with Perugia – didn’t call upon his vast experience to avoid a potential flashpoint with the young Badavi.

“Rahman is a very serious player who always looks to do his best in every game but of course, a player with his experience shouldn’t have got into a situation like he did yesterday,” Ivankovic said.