Tag: Yaser Kasim

 Iran and Iraq is going to be quite a clash

JOHN DUERDEN

espnfc.com

An Asian Cup quarterfinal between these two West Asian rivals could be the game of the tournament. There is no love lost between them. These two regional giants bring lots of fans and noise. The Australian capital, usually quiet in the summer month of January when the politicians are on holidays, is going to wonder what has hit it.

Iraq will take on Iran in one of the most highly anticipated quarterfinal games on Jan. 23 at the Canberra Stadium.

The styles are different too. Iran, have been impressive while not really impressing. They’ve been solid with three wins, no goals conceded and are full of confidence. They’re looking ominous with a coach who is focused only on this tournament. Carlos Queiroz is not interested in building a team for the future, he simply wants to win here and now. Iran have the ability — a vital one in a tournament — to win when not playing well, which something that is not shared by all of the other seven side in the knockout stage.

Iraq have the flair with the likes of Yaser Kasim and Humam Tariq — rested here- — and the talismanic striker Younis Mahmoud. He may not be the force of old, but he still has the ability to decide a big game — and an Asian Cup quarterfinal against Iran is certainly that.