TONIGHT! MALAYSIA v IRAN

Tonight the National Stadium at Bukit Jalil will see the final match for the host, Malaysia versus the second-highest ranked team in Asia and three times winner, Iran. After losing with big margins in the first two games (1-5 to China and 0-5 to Uzbekistan), the prospect is not good. Morale in the Malaysian camp is already low the with the two humiliating defeats, the fans and critics have been baying for blood and the national football body has already been shaken by the resignation of the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, after over 20 years in FAM.

The turnout will definitely be low tonight compared to the first two games. Do not be surprised that the game tonight will only be witnessed by a few hard-core and hopeful local fans, fans who are there just to see the national team beaten convincingly and with big margins and Iranian fans.

If Malaysia's expecting mercy from the Iranians, they will have to look elsewhere as Iran is in no mood as they drew with China in their last game after beating Uzbekistan 2-1 and they would want to score as much, if not more than China in order to top the group. (Qualifications in the Asian Cup is based on head to head results followed by goal differences, with the draw between China and Iran, goal differences will be the key should China manage to beat Uzbekistan).

Don't go to the stadium tonight if you have a weak heart.

Iran
Iran will have top players plying their trade in Europe at their disposal. Led by the experienced former Asian Player of the Year Ali Karimi, (recently of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich), they will also have Andranik Teymourian and Javad Nekounam in midfield (Bolton Wanderers and Osasuna respectively). Iran topped their group in during qualifications in a group which also included Korea.
Players to watch: Javad Nekounam - has already scored a goal in the last game against China

Malaysia
Nothing much to add really. Malaysia already cancelled one training session this week and pyschologically the players are at the lowest ebb. Damage limitation is what the team should aim for although Malaysia will need to play with high spirit and determination to redeem whatever pride's left. Whatever it is, tonight we can see who among the national players are real men and can rise from the ashes. We are hoping that Indra would lead the attack alongside Akmal and we hope Shukor Adan should NOT start.
Players to watch: The strikers. Akmal and Indra

Football: Iran all set to go for big win against Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Three-time winners Iran are not expected to show mercy against a demoralised and down-and-out Malaysia in their final Group C fixture in the Asian Cup Finals at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.

Coach Norizan Bakar is aware that Iran may gun for a high-scoring victory against his boys, who crashed to humiliating defeats by China (1-5) and Uzbekistan (0-5).

The results led to a public outcry for the resignation of the top brass in the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah quit as the deputy president on Sunday.

“We have to accept reality ... life goes on for the boys and me,” said Norizan at a pre-match conference at the team hotel here yesterday.

“We have no choice but to take a defensive approach against a strong attacking side like Iran. We have to be compact at the back and hope for the best.”

Team manager Datuk Anifah Aman said that there was not much they could do and even if they had the best coaches, they would not be able to get the desired results.

“Let’s face facts ... we do not have the material,” he said.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei declared that their target was to finish on top of the group and he would not allow complacency to get to his side.

The group winners will remain in Malaysia for their quarter-final match and the runners-up travel to Jakarta.

Ghalenoei added that although they had seen Malaysia suffering two heavy defeats, they would not take their beleaguered opponents lightly.

“I have to say that we always respect our opponents and they include the Malaysian team,” he said.

“Malaysia have conceded many goals. Even so, we have to approach this game in the same way as we approached our matches against Uzbekistan and China.

“The result of this match is important. We will use all our key players against Malaysia because we prefer to stay in Malaysia where we have been made to feel very welcome. Our priority is to win the group.”

Iran and China are the joint leaders with four points each.

But China, who play against Uzbekistan in the other match at the Shah Alam Stadium, have a superior goal difference of +4 against a +1 for Iran.
Taken from The Star