FIFAWORLDCUP - Japan are expecting a
serious test of their Asian Cup credentials when the holders take on
three-times champions Iran on Wednesday, with striker Ali Daei one of their
main concerns.
Already in the quarter-finals, Japan need a draw to finish top of Group D
and avoid a possible clash with South Korea in the last eight.
Daei missed Iran's training session on Monday after complaining of a sore
right ankle but Japan's players put his no-show down to a pyschological
ploy.
"Players from countries in the Middle East always do things like that,"
shrugged Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. The 35-year-old Daei is a
talismanic figure for Iran with 95 goals in 127 appearances.
"At his age, it is perfectly normal to have a break from practising for a
day," added defender Yuji Nakazawa, who will have his hands full attempting
to shackle Daei.
Iran must draw with Japan in sweltering Chongqing to make sure they join the
holders in the quarters but their task has been complicated after losing
three defenders through suspension.
Mohammad Nosrati has been banned for the rest of the tournament and Rahman
Rezaei and Ali Badavi for two games each after two separate incidents of
off-the-ball violence during their 2-2 draw with Oman at the weekend.
But while their defence has been decimated, Iran are certainly capable of
scoring goals with Daei, playmaker Ali Karimi and Hamburg's Mehdi Mahdavikia
in the side.
"We have to be careful of players like Karimi. He can kill you if you make a
mistake," said Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.
"Iran are always a dangerous team. They are a physical team and you can't
afford to relax, especially at set pieces."
