Monday, September 7, 2015

Mission Impossible as India take on the Giants of Asia tomorrow

AIFF Media 

For the record, India last beat Iran in 1959, the second and last of India’s victory against the ‘Giants of Asia,’ the other one in the Final of the inaugural Asian Games in Delhi.

It was 56 years back that India last won against Iran. The Players were not even born then. The disparity further hits you hard as on the FIFA ladder, Iran at 40 are the strongest in Asia, while India are on 155. 

For Sunil Chhetri, Captain for the match, “Possibly one of the biggest matches.”
”We all know who we are playing tomorrow. Iran are 40th in the World and the best Team in Asia. The most important thing is to understand what we have trained and how we have trained. It’s always difficult to play exactly the way you want when you play such high ranked team. We need to be fit and do our best,” he states. 

National Coach Stephen Constantine added, “Iran are one of the best sides in Asia. They are where they are because of the things they have done in the past and are doing it even presently. There is a great deal of respect for Iran but don’t mistake that for fear. It’s 11v11 on the field. If we work hard there is a chance that we can take something from this game; and I believe we can.” 

Dubbing the FIFA Ranking as a quantitative figure of no importance, Head Coach of the Iran National Team, Carlos Queiroz mentioned, “FIFA Rankings are just other Rankings. What matters are the results.”

Queiroz added, “I have great respect for India as opponents. And I don’t see the FIFA Rankings as a parameter to judge. It is 11 versus 11 on the field tomorrow. Nothing less, nothing more! We are playing against a difficult opponent. We need three points and so do India. It’ll be tough match for both the Teams. Our opponents (India) have families, friends and fans which is the same like us. They also want to win and so do we.” 

Captain of the Iranian National Team, ‘Iranian Gattuso,’ Andranik Teymourian, who was also present in the interaction imputed India’s Football growth.

“I have a great amount of respect for India. Indian Football is on a gradual rise and it will be a good match. We are playing against a Team which has nothing to lose tomorrow. I hope may the best Team win.” 

Out of 10 matches played between the two contingents, Iran have registered 7 wins so far while India have garnered only 2 wins. 





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