Malavan
Saba
Mes Sar
Naft Teh
Persepolis
Shahrdari T
Shahin
Zob Ahan
Sanat Naft
Shahrdari Y
Mashin Sazi
Pas
Naft Mis
GolGohar
Shirin Faraz
Sanat Sari
Shahrdari A
Payam Fars
Shahrdari B
Abumoslem
Peykan| Bagheri warns of Saudi backlash |
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| Wednesday, 04 March 2009 14:39 |
 Iran face Saudi Arabia at home in a Group B clash on March 28 that is crucial for both teams, more so for the visitors who are battling to salvage their qualifying campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2010 finals. “This is a do-or-die match for Saudi,” Bagheri told the-afc.com. “It is an important match for both teams. We have never lost to Saudi in Iran and I hope we can get all three points. “There is more pressure on them. They are in danger of losing out on qualification so they have to open up and score against us. Saudi have always given us tough matches and the next one will be no different,” added Bagheri, who returns to the squad after being overlooked for six years. The Saudis are aiming for their fifth World Cup while Iran are hoping to qualify for the fourth time. Saudi were beaten 1-0 by DPR Korea in their last qualifier to languish in fourth place in the five-team group with just four points. Iran are third on six points. Korea Republic head the table on eight points, one ahead of DPR Korea. Only the top two teams earn automatic qualification for the South Africa finals while the third-placed teams from each of the two groups enter a two-tiered play-off for one extra place. Saudi are in danger of losing out altogether and recently hired Portuguese Jose Peseiro to revive their fortunes. Peseiro recently said that the Saudis are heading to Azadi with the sole intention of winning the match and putting their World Cup ambitions back on track. Iran have hosted Saudi Arabia in three World Cup qualifiers since 1977, with the Persians winning two and one ending in a draw. Their last match at the imposing Azadi Stadium in Tehran was in 2001 and ended in a 2-0 victory for Iran, for whom current coach Ali Daei scored both goals. The two teams drew 1-1 in Riyadh during the current campaign in September last year. Iran are preparing for the Saudi match by playing Kenya in a friendly game on March 14. Six days prior, they face Kuwait with Daei unlikely to be able to call on his foreign-based players for both games. |
