ABU DHABI (AFP) - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz blasted his critics after his side crushed Yemen 5-0 on Monday (Jan 7) to fire an ominous warning to their Asian Cup title rivals.
The former Real Madrid boss praised his players for "suffocating" the Group D minnows in Abu Dhabi as they ruined the war-torn country's first outing at the Asian Cup.
But his mood turned dark when informed former national coach Branko Ivankovic, now in charge of Iran's most popular club Persepolis and a feuding adversary, had been talking up Iraq's coach Srecko Katanec while goading Queiroz to beat their bitter rivals.
"Now we turn to home affairs," sighed the Portuguese, who has frequently clashed with Iranian football officials and media since taking the job in 2011.
"This is the gentleman who used to call Iranian football a circus," added Queiroz, putting the boot into Croatian Ivankovic after dominating their opening Asian Cup fixture.
"At the moment 65 to 70 million people across Iran are praying for the national team, this intelligent man comes along to praise Iraq and its coach - brilliant, genius!" Mehdi Taremi scored twice for Iran, who are looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football's most coveted prize.
Joint favourites with South Korea, Iran took just 12 minutes to take the lead as Taremi finished clinically from close range after a shot from Sardar Azmoun was fumbled by Yemen keeper Saud Alsowadi.
Captain Ashkan Dejagah doubled his side's lead in the 23rd minute with a low free kick which cannoned in off the post and the hapless Alsowadi before Taremi powered home a header moments later.
Azmoun tapped in a fourth goal seven minutes into the second half, by which time Iran were playing some champagne football, pulling off extravagant flicks and back-heels that left Yemen's players chasing shadows.
When substitute Saman Ghoddos volleyed home Iran's fifth from the edge of the box after 78 minutes the Yemen players looked physically shattered.
Only the woodwork prevented Mahdi Torabi adding a spectacular sixth in injury time.
"Fortunately for us the first goal came early and when you score early, it gives you the confidence and tranquility to control the game," said Queiroz, who has been linked with the Colombia job.
"We didn't give Yemen time to breathe." Iraq take on Vietnam in the other Group D game on Tuesday.
With players kidnapped by extremists, others going off to fight in the mountains or struggling to make ends meet driving taxis or working in supermarkets, just qualifying for the Asian Cup was an astonishing achievement for Yemen.
"I told the players at half-time to keep their heads up," said Yemen's Slovakian coach Jan Kocian.
"We lost 5-0 and we have to live with the result but we have two more games and we can play better."
I'll never be one to scare anyone away from living abroad, but do so with eyes wide open. Know the risks you're walking into and create a plan. Consider safety when you choose a place to live, decide how late to stay out, and how to manage your money. Finally, read the local news to know what's happening in your area. Making ends meet
The Leap | Reviews and Programs | Go Overseas
As his Newport team-mates were celebrating a stunning FA Cup win over Championship side Middlesbrough on Tuesday, goalkeeper Joe Day was sprinting down the tunnel after hearing his wife had gone
Liverpool wasted another chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League as a sub-par performance from Jurgen Klopp's men was punished in a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Monday.
Paine delighted with Aussie grit in second Test victory Australia's paceman Pat Cummins celebrates securing the final wicket after dismissing India's Jasprit Bumrah on Day 5 of the second Test
Paine delighted with Australia's hard-nosed style in Perth
Liverpool's players pose before the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Liverpool FC at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris, on November 28, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp denied on Friday that his Premier League leaders will have the upper hand over […]
Premier League: Jurgen Klopp denies Liverpool's lighter
This page contains the Peer review requests that are older than one month, have received no response in the last two weeks, are not signed, have become featured article or featured list candidates, or did not follow the "How to use this page" principles in some way.
The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 24 Issue 03 by Nanyang Chronicle
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed that no one from Barcelona has contacted him over a move for Antoine Griezmann. The France World Cup winner will call time on his five-year
Antoine Griezmann admits move away from Atletico Madrid is
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours AFP January 12, 2019, 8:26 PM UTC Willian has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours - World
Football: Tampines Rovers stay true to playing style as they salvage 1-1 draw with Hanoi FC in AFC Cup tie
Stags stay true to playing style, Latest Singapore Football
I think the issue with VAR is simply how we perceive what the rules are. The reason so many of us 'disagree' with many of the calls made is because we just don't know the way the law is worded. The team of refs in the VAR room constantly talk to the referee as he makes calls on the pitch.
442oons - YouTube
Paul Pogba scores his second penalty to help Manchester United to victory over West Ham - AFP "We were lucky to get away with three points and even a draw I would have taken at one point
Pogba spotkicks fire Man United past Hammers - NewZimbabwe.com
Real Madrid sign Jovic for 60 million euros - report - Reuters
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford they are 'vital' to the club's future amid strong interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona. Solskjaer was
Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba 'vital' to United, says Ole
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen