Japan captain Miyamoto warns against Karimi threat

IRNA - Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has identified midfielder Ali Karimi as one of the players the defending champions need to keep in check in Wednesday`s Group D clash with Iran at the Asian Cup.
"It`s crucial that we don`t give the ball away to the likes of Ali Karimi because he is one of the players that could punish us," Miyamoto said of the Persian Gulf-based star who ignited Iran`s controversial fight back against Oman in Chongqing on Saturday.
Miyamoto has also warned against the danger Iran pose from set pieces, having watched defender Mohammad Nosrati score a dramatic late equalizer from a Mehdi Mahdavikia free kick in the dying seconds after Karimi had leveled in the 62nd minute.
"The weather was scorching for the Oman game and I didn`t think Iran moved that well, but they are a big physical side and have shown how dangerous they can be from set pieces."
"But if we can defend as well as we have been doing, we should be okay," said the Gamba Osaka defender.
Iran will be fielding a depleted side against Japan, who have already booked their place in the quarter-finals, in the wake of the suspensions handed out to Nosrati and defenders Rahman Rezaei and Ali Badavi after their draw against the Omanis.
Nosrati was banned for the remainder of the tournament after stamping on Oman striker Imad Ali in an off-the-ball incident missed by Bahrain referee Abdul Rahman, who was sent home by the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday for allowing Nosrati to continue playing after the incident.
Rezaei and Badavi were suspended for two matches after exchanging blows during the same match.
Oman, who play already eliminated Thailand in Chengdu also on Wednesday, have been dreadfully unlucky not to take at least three points from their opening two games.
The Asian Cup debutants outplayed Japan, only to lose 1-0 in their opening match before being cruelly denied three points by Nosrati`s last-gasp header.
To make the last eight, Oman need to sweep away Thailand and hope Japan can comfortably be at Iran, but Oman`s Czech coach Milan Macala is not expecting the Japanese to do him any favors.
"Of course we are going to try against Thailand but now it`s difficult. One point from the Japan game would have been better for us," Macala told Kyodo News.
"Now Japan have six points and their motivation is over. Maybe they will prepare reserves for the Iran game or something like this because they have qualified."