WALES – IRAN | Friday 11:00am
Gareth Bale, and who else? It was Wales’ captain and most iconic player who pulled the wool over the eyes of coach Robert Page and the British selection, who had a very ugly time in their opener against the USA. In what resembled, and continues to resemble, a play-off for second place behind the highly favoured England – who did not disappoint expectations, overwhelming a very modest Iran with goals (6-2) – the two national teams gave life to a hard-fought match and shared the prize, drawing 1-1. A result that therefore confirms the predictions made on the eve of the match: both felt the importance of the match and it was quite obvious that the spectacle left something to be desired.
Not a memorable performance, in any case, from the Welsh, who left the initiative to the Americans for almost the entire first half. The plot changed somewhat in the second half, when Wales were more aggressive and less timid, probably due to the fact that they needed to make up the deficit. In the end the equalizer came thanks to a penalty kick, but Page must revise something in the ball possession phase: his team did not materialise any of the three limpid chances that they managed to laboriously create.
Victory is now a must against the Iranians, overwhelmed by the English fury and indisputably the weakest link in this group. The selection coached by Portuguese Carlos Queiroz, after choosing not to sing the anthem as a sign of protest against the regime, literally ‘surrendered’ itself to England, already ahead by three goals in the first half, characterised by 14 minutes of added time due to the injury of goalkeeper Beiranvand. Iran did have a gasp in the final, when things were already compromised, finding the way of goal on two occasions (one on a penalty kick) with Porto striker Mehdi Taremi.
Wales-Iran: the latest line-up news
Page could adopt a decidedly more offensive module compared to the debut against the USA, maintaining the three-man defence. The insertion of a real striker, Moore, is likely, supported by the James-Bale pair in the three-quarter. Ampadu’s presence in the midfield is in doubt: the Spezia player has hurt his ankle and is not sure if he will be able to play: if he doesn’t make it it will be Morrell’s turn to replace him. On the flanks Williams and Roberts are confirmed, while at the back Mepham, Rodon and Davies will play again.
Iran’s goalkeeper Beiranvand, on the other hand, is unlikely to recover: Hosseini, who came into the match against England, will be back between the posts. For the rest, Queiroz should confirm the airtight 5-4-1, with the usual Taremi acting as buoy in the centre of attack.
The Prediction
A defeat could seriously jeopardise the path of both teams. Especially that of Wales, who will have to face the English on the final day. The feeling is that Iran’s defensive wall might make more sense this time around, bearing in mind Page’s selection’s problems in the build-up. Wales, however, will not be able to settle for a draw: sooner or later they will be forced to get off balance, and on the counter-attack the Iranians have already proven to be dangerous. It cannot be ruled out, therefore, that the two teams will score one goal each in a match in which the British seem to be slight favourites for the three points.
The likely line-up for Wales v Iran
- GALLES (3-4-2-1): Hennessey; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Ramsey, Ampadu, Williams; James, Bale; Moore.
- IRAN (5-4-1): H. Hosseini; Moharrami, Pouraliganji, Cheshmi, M. Hosseini, Mohammadi; Jakanbakhsh, Noorollahi, Karimi, Gholizadeh; Taremi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
