Iran Best Team in Asian Cup: Japanese Captain
TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Japan defender Maya Yoshida believes that Iran national football team is the best team in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The Southampton center back played a key role in hard fought 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday in the second round of the Asian Cup at the Sharjah Stadium.
"Iran is currently the best football playing country in Asia but most important thing for now is that we go to the next round,” Yoshida said.
Japan, Asia's second ranked team, will play Vietnam, ranked 17th, in the quarterfinal at the Al Maktoum stadium in Dubai on Thursday before a potential semifinal clash against Iran at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium in Al Ain on Jan. 28.
"We don't have any information about Vietnam to be honest and we have to be ready for them. I will think about Iran after we have beaten Vietnam,” the Japan captain added.
Iran has been the most consistent team at the tournament so far and is chasing a fifth straight victory.
Queiroz has been in charge of Iran since 2011. The 65-year-old Portuguese coach's contract ends after the tournament and he has been widely linked with the vacant Colombia job.
When China plays Iran on Thursday, many observers will looking at the benches.
China is coached by Marcello Lippi, who led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, while Iran is led by former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz.
Victory would give Lippi his best result in two years with China. He will leave the job after the Asian Cup.
South Korea and defending champion Australia made it through to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup.
Even with the arrival of Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, South Korea struggled to beat Bahrain 2-1 in the last 16. The 2015 finalists needed an extra-time goal from Kim Jin-su to advance and set up a quarterfinal match against Qatar.
Australia needed a penalty shootout to get past Uzbekistan after 120 goalless minutes, and Japan was below its best in a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
The quarterfinals take place on Thursday and Friday. The final will be on Feb. 1 in Abu Dhabi.
The Southampton center back played a key role in hard fought 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday in the second round of the Asian Cup at the Sharjah Stadium.
"Iran is currently the best football playing country in Asia but most important thing for now is that we go to the next round,” Yoshida said.
Japan, Asia's second ranked team, will play Vietnam, ranked 17th, in the quarterfinal at the Al Maktoum stadium in Dubai on Thursday before a potential semifinal clash against Iran at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium in Al Ain on Jan. 28.
"We don't have any information about Vietnam to be honest and we have to be ready for them. I will think about Iran after we have beaten Vietnam,” the Japan captain added.
Iran has been the most consistent team at the tournament so far and is chasing a fifth straight victory.
Queiroz has been in charge of Iran since 2011. The 65-year-old Portuguese coach's contract ends after the tournament and he has been widely linked with the vacant Colombia job.
When China plays Iran on Thursday, many observers will looking at the benches.
China is coached by Marcello Lippi, who led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, while Iran is led by former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz.
Victory would give Lippi his best result in two years with China. He will leave the job after the Asian Cup.
South Korea and defending champion Australia made it through to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup.
Even with the arrival of Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, South Korea struggled to beat Bahrain 2-1 in the last 16. The 2015 finalists needed an extra-time goal from Kim Jin-su to advance and set up a quarterfinal match against Qatar.
Australia needed a penalty shootout to get past Uzbekistan after 120 goalless minutes, and Japan was below its best in a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
The quarterfinals take place on Thursday and Friday. The final will be on Feb. 1 in Abu Dhabi.