FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°43
Iran are bidding to spark the mother of all parties with victory over Germany in the ‘match that nearly never was’ here in the crunch Group F clash at the Stade de la Mosson on Thursday.
Jalal Talebi’s side sparked wild celebrations back home when they beat the United States 2-1 in Lyon on Sunday to put themselves in with a chance of reaching the last 16 of France 98. Hundreds of thousands of Iranian men and women poured into the streets of Tehran and partied long into the night after the dramatic victory in once unthinkable scenes of public festivity. And now the Iranians have the chance to go one better against a German side who were uncharacteristically sloppy in the 2-2 draw with Yugoslavia before veteran Lothar Matthaus came on to inspire a fightback from two goals down.
Boosted by Iran’s display against the States and encouraged by signs of Germany vulnerability, Talebi is confident that his team, written off as rank outsiders before the tournament, can pull off the shock of France 98. ” If we beat Germany there will be an even bigger party back home, “ says Talebi, whose team lie in third place in Group F on three points behind leaders Germany and Yugoslavia who both have four points.
Iran and Germany have been embroiled in off-pitch controversy at France 98, prompting reports that both could pull out and plunge the tournament into chaos. Fears that the Iran would withdraw were raised when the Iranian embassy in France lodged an angry protest over the screning of of controversial TV programme which supposedly depicts the country in a negative light.
Germany, meanwhile, reportedly offered to pull out following violence involving their fans in Lens which has left a French policeman fighting for his life. One of the two teams, though, will almost certainly be on their way home after Thursday’s match with Yugoslavia tipped to progress by seeing off the pointless Americans.
The permutations of goal difference mean that a draw is unlikely to be enough for the Iranians even if the Yugoslavs lose, but Talebi says the victory over the United States has given them the belief to beat the three-times World Champions. ” I want to keep the players on this high level. I don’t want to bring them down, “ says Talebi. But the Iranian coach says he does not want to put his players under too much pressure by raising expectations of victory. ” I want them to go out and enjoy themselves against Germany, “ he added. ” It does not matter whether we win or lose. “
The Iranians boast three German-based players in their squad-Ali Daei, Karim Bagheri (both Arminia Bielefeld) and Khodadad Azizi (FC Cologne) — and Talebi believes their knowledge of the Budesliga could prove invaluable. ” They know the German players well, and are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and we will be using their experience to help us. “
Germany, meanwhile, are reporting no major injury problems and veteran striker Jurgen Klinsmann is expected to play despite being stretchered off unconscious after a heavy collision in the Yugoslav match. ” Steffen Freund still has problems with his stomach muscles but everyone else is OK, “ said a sokesman for the German team. “Jurgen (Klinsmann) has recovered and will be available for selection.”