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ASIANCUP2004
– Iran coach Branko Ivankovic has upped the ante ahead of the Asian Cup quarter-final with Korea Republic in Chendgu on Saturday, saying that he expected his side to book a place in the last four without too much difficulty.
Ivankovic, perhaps trying to boost morale in a squad which has been hit hard by suspensions to key players, dismissed the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists as inferior to final group opponents Japan.
"Korea beat Kuwait 4-0 but I think they are not as good as the Japan team," the Croat said on the eve of the gane.
"If we can play as well as we played against Japan I don't think the match against Korea will be a problem."
A weakened Iran dominated parts of the 0-0 draw with Japan on Wednesday to booke a place in the last eight as Group D runners-up
"Korea and Japan have the same kind of style," Ivankovic added. "They have the same form, confidence and are both a bit proud.
"They have a new coach and it's given the team a new spirit but we should not have a problem. Although Korea's strikers are better than Japan, that shouldn't be a problem."
Despite the confident noises coming from the Iran camp, Ivankovic admitted his players were tired after their plane from Chongqing was diverted overnight due to bad weather.
"Tiredness is going to have an influence on our players but really we never think about tiredness and we are not going to make any excuses about the match tomorrow," he said.
Korea coach Jo Bonfrere has acknowledged that his side will need to continue their steady progression in the tournament to beat the three-time champions.
"I expect the team to play a little bit better every game. We will have to do that also in our next game," said Bonfrere, who was only appointed last month.
"I expect more power, will and fight from Iran than you can expect from a Gulf team," he warned.
The two teams have also met in the quarter-finals of the last two Asian Cups and Korea will be hoping for a repeat of the 2000 edition, when top-scorer Lee Dong-Gook's golden goal sealed victory.
Lee's three goals here have put him on top of the standings once again, a remarkable turnaround after injury and poor form saw him cast into the international wilderness after the Lebanon tournament.
"My form is getting better with every game," said Lee. "As long as we keep winning, the goals will come."
Iran will be missing defenders Rahman Rezaei and Ali Badavi, banned for two matches for their slap-fight during the 2-2 draw with Oman, and Mohammed Nosrati who is serving a four-match suspension for a vicious stamp during the same game.
Korea, who are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, will be boosted by the return of defenders Park Jae-hong from suspension and Kim Tae-Young, who is also believed to have recovered from a knee injury.
Lee Dong-gook and Cha Du-ri are expected to start in attack with Anh Jung-hwan llikley to make no more than the bench after being accused in mid-week of being out of shape by coach Bonfrere.
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