European-based duo Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejhad are set to feature for Iran in Wednesday’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Lebanon at the Azadi Stadium at Tehran.
The Group B encounter marks the start of the qualification process for three-time champions Iran and the availability of Fulham midfielder Dejagah and Standard Liege’s Ghoochannejhad are a major boost to coach Carlos Queiroz.
Iran, though, will be wary of Lebanon having suffered a 1-0 defeat in Beirut during September’s final round FIFA World Cup qualifier.
“We respect Lebanon like all other opponents. We are going to display attacking football, but this is a game we should play wisely and we will try to satisfy the fans,” said Queiroz.
“I don’t personally like to compete in two different competitions at the same time, but it is what it is and we have to fight on two fronts simultaneously. We will fight with all our full power to get the necessary points both to qualify for the World Cup and the Asian Cup in 2015.”
Lebanon coach Theo Bucker, meanwhile, was quick to quash suggestions his side were fortunate to claim all three points against Iran in September after Roda Antar’s first-half strike proved the difference between the two sides at Sports City Stadium.
“We know we are a much smaller team than Iran, but back in September we outplayed them and won the match,” said Bucker, who will return to Tehran with Lebanon in June for the return fixture in the final round of qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.
“We have beaten Kuwait, Korea Republic and Iran so far. If someone wishes to attribute these wins to luck and fortune, I’d call that cheap and unfair.”
