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."
Football: Ikhsan Fandi scores first competitive goal for Norwegian club Raufoss with overhead-kick winner The top two teams earn automatic promotion while third to sixth enter the play-off for
Ikhsan Fandi scores 1st goal for Norwegian club Raufoss with
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row. 3 Min Read (Reuters) - FULHAM 0 WEST HAM 2 . Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v West Ham United - Craven Cottage, London, Britain
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row | New
And according to Spanish news outlet Don Balon, who often make bold claims, Messi has told Valverde to alter his starting line-up. They sensationally say the Argentina talisman wants Valverde to drop Gomes for tomorrow night's clash at the Nou Camp. Gomes, 24, has struggled to impress at the Nou Camp following his move to Barca in 2016.
Coutinho set for Barca axe | ClubCall.com
05.30.2019 Football: Spalletti Leaves Inter Milan Despite Securing Champions League Spot, Conte Set To Take Over. Milan: Luciano Spalletti has left Inter Milan, the Serie A club announced on Thursday, with former Italy manager Antonio Conte set to be announced as the club''s new coach.
Football: New favourites Liverpool face two stiff tests of title credentials Dec 29, 2018, 5:00 am Football: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February, says Klopp
New favourites face two stiff tests - theworldnews.net
Abu Dhabi-owned City, who retained the Premier League title this season, are in danger of being kicked out of future editions of the Champions […] Man City appeal against possible Champions League ban - Kenyan Digest
Man City appeal possible Champions League ban - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/06/man-city-appeal-possible-champions-league-ban/
Man City appeal possible Champions League ban AFP June 6, 2019 AFP No Comments Lausanne (AFP) - Manchester City have launched a legal bid to stop UEFA banning them from the 2020-2021 Champions League, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday.
Pochettino wants Tottenham to be 'brave and aggressive
Watford's Gray Strikes Late Winner to Spoil Rodgers' Leicester Debut Watford clinched victory in the second minute of added time as Troy Deeney latched on to a poor goal kick by Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel and fed substitute Gray who held his nerve to score.
Premier League: Leicester City 1-2 Watford: Gray's late
Football News -BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona closed in on the La Liga title on Saturday (April 20) after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp, with goals from
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
Gabriel Jesus shines as Manchester City regain top spot, Christian Eriksen fires Spurs Description: Gabriel Jesus hadn't scored a Premier League goal since August, but the Brazilian striker ended that drought to put Everton to the sword at the Etihad Stadium.
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs
Football: 'Pray for no rain' as Manchester City return to China after Beijing debacle Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since 2016. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
La Liga are sceptical of a report linking its president Javier Tebas to the English Premier League but admit the link is 'a source of pride' for the Spanish top flight. A report in The Times said the Spanish league chief was a surprise leading candidate to replace Richard Scudamore as Premier League chief executive.
La Liga boss Javier Tebas plays down talk of Premier League
global.espn.com/football/english-premier-league/story/3784045/la-liga-boss-javier-tebas-plays-down-talk-of-premier-league-top-job
Tebas, a lawyer by profession, has been at the helm of the Spanish Football League (LFP) since 2013. He has successfully worked on strengthening the finances of the country's 42 first and second division teams and has the stated aim of pushing for La Liga to compete with the Premier League on an economic level.
Los Angeles: Former England star Wayne Rooney scored three goals on Saturday night to lead D.C. United to a crushing 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Rooney registered his first three goals of the new season and also his first hat trick since signing on with Major League Soccer in July 2018. He now has five multi-goal games.
Wayne Rooney scores his first MLS hat-trick as DC United
0 comments:
Post a Comment