FIFA World Cup 2010
AL AIN – Having earned a point from a goalless draw
in Tehran on Monday, United Arab Emirates coach Bruno Metsu will be
eyeing all three when the Group Five leaders meet Iran for the second
time in six days in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Only two points separate the top three in the group with three games left but the Frenchman believes that victory at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium could virtually seal his team's place in the final round of the qualifiers. "The players are very confident after the result in Teheran,” said Metsu.
“We should go one better with home advantage and since Iran have not won in three games, the pressure is on them.
Only two points separate the top three in the group with three games left but the Frenchman believes that victory at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium could virtually seal his team's place in the final round of the qualifiers. "The players are very confident after the result in Teheran,” said Metsu.
“We should go one better with home advantage and since Iran have not won in three games, the pressure is on them.
“Our players are in good heart but they must not lose their focus on this game, because a lot depends on this match. We have done pretty well so far and need to build on it." Metsu is wary though of a backlash from the Iranians, who are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the fourth time.
"Iran have always been a strong side and you never know what to expect. “They are struggling at the moment but they can bounce back at any time. It's a difficult match so we have to be very careful when we play them. "They have players with a lot of experience with several of them playing as professionals in Europe and the Middle East.
“They know how important this game is for them and we know what to expect.”
Metsu admits the absence of central defender Rashid Abdulrahman, who will serve a one-match ban for accumulating two yellow cards, is of deep concern. "He's the most experienced at the back and obviously leaves a vacuum. But we need to move on as these things are not uncommon in football."
Ali Daei, who only recently took up the Iran coaching position on a full-time basis, is already under fire and will settle for nothing less than a win to keep his team's chances alive.
The Iranians are two points adrift of UAE and Syria and have managed only two goals in three qualifiers so far. Speaking in the wake of Monday’s stalemate, the former striker seemed regretful that he could not get on the pitch himself. "I prepared the players to win but a coach can't put on the kit and go onto the pitch and score goals," said Daei to the Fars News Agency.
Iran will be missing midfielder Andranik Teymourian through suspension but Daei remains determined to lead his charges through to the next round. "We're only interested in taking three points from the last three matches," he said defiantly.