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Iran confident of taming Lions

January 13, 2009

TEHRAN – Three-time AFC Asian Cup champions Iran are confident of taking maximum points from their Qatar 2011 qualification opener against Singapore on Wednesday.

“We must take maximum points (from these home matches)” said assistant coach Erich Rutemöller.

“The players are well-prepared and fit and we will begin our qualifiers with a comfortable win.”

Iran go into the match off the back of a 3-1 win over China and while two of Friday’s goal scorers, Arash Borhani and captain Karim Bagheri, picked up injuries both are expected to be fit for the visit of the Lions.

Bagheri, who is nearing 50 international goals, was more measured than Rutemöller in how he sees the fixture.

“People think it’s going to be a one-sided match but it’s going to be more difficult than that,” said the experienced midfielder.

“We mustn’t underestimate them and we need a good performance against Singapore and then Thailand before our extremely difficult World Cup qualifier against South Korea.”

Singapore were beaten in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup by Vietnam last month and geared up for their trip to Iran with a 2-2 draw against six-time Uzbek champions Pakhtakor in Dubai on Friday.

They arrived in Tehran with fitness concerns over a number of players but only full-back Noh Rahman, who has a knee injury, is struggling for the match.

And coach Raddy Avramovic is in no doubt about the size of the task facing his Lions.

"Iran are a physically very strong and compact team, and have very fast, attacking individuals,” said the 59-year-old Serb.

"We'll have to keep them out of our penalty box, and disrupt their passing game. That's what we'll work on in training.

“Iran has a professional league with lots of skilful and talented players so the absence of their foreign-based players isn’t going to make any difference.”

Meanwhile, experienced defender Baihakki Khaizan insists that the Lions are undaunted by their opponents reputation and are relishing the challenge.

“Iran have been one of the great continental powers and we’re proud to be playing them, but we’re certainly not here to make up the numbers,” he said.

“Everything’s possible in football and I hope we can win. The players are motivated and ready to defend Singapore’s football dignity.”

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