Carlos Queiroz and Marcello Lippi play down Iran and China favourites tags

Matt Jones - Editor 19:35 06/01/2019
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  • Iran are chasing a record-equaling fourth Asian Cup title, but renowned coach Carlos Queiroz is adamant the only match that matters is the opening one against Yemen.

    Team Melli won an unprecedented three tournaments in a row between 1968 and 1976 – they are joint second for most titles lifted with Saudi Arabia – but have not hoisted the continental crown since that last home soil triumph 43 years ago.

    Former Manchester United assistant coach Queiroz has been in charge of Iran for eight years and his side come into the tournament as one of the favourites – but after seeing Jordan upset holders Australia 1-0 in Al Ain on Sunday, the Portuguese is not getting carried away with that tag.

    “This is football. You cannot play a football game with a credit card of being favourites. If you don’t play good football, you don’t deserve to win,” said Queiroz, who led Iran at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

    “We came here to play good games and we have to if we want to defeat any team. Yemen are a good side and we have to respect them.

    Queiroz managed Cristiano Ronaldo at both United and during his time in charge of his native Portugal.

    Queiroz managed Cristiano Ronaldo at both United and during his time in charge of his native Portugal.

    “At the same time, I am confident that my team, despite some injuries, will deliver as I always challenge them to play responsibly so that when they leave the pitch, they leave with the fans happy.”

    Yemen are at the other end of the scale in terms of tournament pedigree. They are making their Asia Cup bow and head coach Jan Kocian says his team are eager to get going against one of Asia’s heavyweights.

    “The world knows Iran. They had a great World Cup and in Carlos Queiroz, one of the best coaches in the world. We are, however, not going to let that get to us,” said the former Czech Republic international.

    “There is no pressure on the team and, as a ‘small’ team, we are allowed to dream and that dream is to defeat Iran.”

    Another world famous manager appearing in the UAE this month is Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, although he has rather smaller ambitions in terms of what he hopes his China team can achieve.

    They were runners-up in 1984 and 2004 yet Lippi hopes China can be a surprise package at the Asian Cup.

    “We know that in a competition like this there are favourites like (South) Korea, Japan, Iran and Australia, but in this kind of competition you always have a surprise team,” said the 70-year-old former Juventus and Inter Milan boss.

    Lippi hopes China will be a surprise package in the UAE.

    Lippi hopes China will be a surprise package in the UAE.

    “So we really can become the surprise of this tournament, because it’s now seven years that I have worked in China and I really want to give this big satisfaction to all the Chinese fans.”

    China, ranked 76th in the world, are favourites to beat Central Asian minnows Kyrgyzstan at Al Ain’s Zayed bin Khalifa Stadium on Monday, but captain Zheng Zhi is suspended with Lippi revealing forwards Wei Shihao and Xiao Zhi are missing through injury.

    Like Yemen, Kyrgyzstan are making their first Asian Cup appearance but coach Aleksandr Krestinin believes that while his side will be underdogs, he reminded critics the match will be won and lost on the pitch.

    “Obviously China has a very experienced coach who is a world champion, but he was not the world champion with China,” said the Russian tactician.

    “We don’t remember China winning anything in recent years. (Us not being favourites to win) is the opinion of the Chinese media, but the score is currently 0-0 and we will see what happens.”

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