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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." |
