Iran will hope to secure qualification for their first-ever World Cup knockout rounds when they face the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) on Tuesday. Last Word on Football predicts the Iranian lineup for the Group B game against the USA.
Iran Predicted Lineup vs USMNT
How Iran Have Lined-up Recently
Carlos Quieroz has tinkered with his tactics quite a lot in his five games as the manager of the Iran national team since he took over the side in September, just before the World Cup. He’s gone with a five-at-the-back formation against the major national teams, but Iran seem to be most comfortable with a 4-3-3 formation against the other sides.
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Iran are quite reliant on centre-forward Sardar Azmoun to do a lot of the work for them in the attacking areas, as his clever movement and link-up play help free up his teammates too. Mehdi Taremi and Ali Gholizadeh are both key components of creating the attacking chances, while midfielder Ahmed Nourollahi also helps add more creative threat to the Iranian side. Quieroz is unlikely to change his backline that kept a clean sheet against Wales, while goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini should keep his place after his heroics in the last game.
Iran Recent Form and Tactics
Iran have enjoyed a decent run of form since the return of Quieroz as their new head coach just before the World Cup began. They have won three out of their last five games under him, which includes the stunning win over Wales in their last World Cup group game. Iran are well aware of their status as the ‘underdogs’ at the World Cup and realizes that they were the least favorite side to get out of their group before the competition began.
But now, everything has change. A win against the USA will ensure that they will progress to the knockout places, be it as the group winners or the runners-up. That itself will be an extraordinary achievement, considering that the Asian giants have never done something like that in their history. In fact, even a draw can help them progress into the knockout rounds. As a result, it can be expected that Iran will play a more defensive style against the USMNT.
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They only had 38% of the possession against Wales, but ended up getting a win in the end. Despite the lack of possession, Iran’s brilliant counter-attacking style kept them get six shots on target. Using the pace of their attacking players like Azmoun, Taremi and Gholizadeh – the Iranian side are a menace on the breaks. They’ll aim to goad the majority of the US team into their own half and then capitalize on their vulnerability by tormenting them with swift, effective counter-attacks.
Iran should be expected to pour a lot of bodies at the back, as keeping a clean sheet is their primary objective for the game. They’ll want to frustrate the USMNT and force them to make errors which they can pounce on. Knowing the reward at the end of a positive result, Iran will be extra motivated and determined to get points from the final group game.
Iran Injuries to Consider
Iran are still likely to be without their no.1 goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand for the game against the USA. Azmoun limped off in the win over Wales, but there is a strong possibility that he returns in time for this game. Alireza Jahanbaksh is suspended for the game.
Iran Predicted Lineup vs USMNT
Hossein Hosseini, Ramin Rezaeian, Majid Hosseini, Morteza Pouraliganji, Milad Mohammadi, Saeed Ezatolahi, Ehsan Hajsafi, Ahmed Nourollahi, Ali Gholizadeh, Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun
