Iran will seek to respond to their humiliating defeat from their opening game as they lock horns with Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday, November 25. The match begins at 10:00GMT
Carlos Queiroz’s men failed to activate their defensive trademark when they played England last Monday. Despite scoring twice in a game for the first time in; four games, it was England who had the lion’s share of numbers with a 6-2 victory.
Wales on the other hand had to come from behind to tie their game against USA on Monday night through Gareth Bale’s spot kick. In what happens to be their first World Cup game in 64 years, Wales may gave gotten the best result in that draw. However, they would relish the chance of continuing what England did to Team Meli a few days ago.
FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE MATCHES)
The Welsh may have won a point against USA in their group opener but their previous matches haven’t produced a win. Iran have also conceded in goals in each of their last five games including the defeat to England.
WALES
21 November 2022 USA 1-1 Wales FIFA World Cup
25 September 2022 Wales 0–1 Poland Nations League
22 September 2022 Belgium 2–1 Wales Nations League
14 June 2022 Netherlands 3–2 Wales Nations League
11 June 2022 Wales 1–1 Belgium Nations League
IRAN
21 November 2022 England 6–2 Iran FIFA World Cup
10 November 2022 Iran 1–0 Nicaragua Friendly
27 September 2022 Iran 1–1 Senegal Friendly
23 September 2022 Uruguay 0–1 Iran Friendly
12 June 2022 Iran 1–2 Algeria Friendly
HEAD TO HEAD
Iran is playing Wales for the second time after the two sides met in 1978.
18 Apr 1978 Iran 0-1 Wales International Friendly
TEAM NEWS
WALES
Joe Allen may be the only major doubt as the midfielder works to fully recuperate in time for Wale’s remaining games. Kieffer Moore seems to have won the heart of Rob Page during their match with the USA and is likely to start
PREDICTED LINEUP
(3-4-3): Hennessey; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Ramsey, Morrell, Williams; James, Bale; Moore
IRAN
Sardar Azmoun may start from the bench once more as he patiently recovers from injury. Taremi is expected to lead the attack while keeper Hossein Hosseini makes the cut.
PREDICTED LINEUP
(4-5-1): H. Hosseini; Moharrami, Pouraliganji, Cheshmi, M. Hosseini, Mohammadi; Jakanbakhsh, Noorollahi, Karimi, Gholizadeh; Taremi