Abu Dhabi: China PR must be perfect when they take on Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 quarter-final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday.



Iran, said China head coach Marcello Lippi, are the top team in Asia and there is a reason why the Central Asians has occupied the spot.

"Obviously Iran are one of the top teams in Asia, they played well at the (2018) FIFA World Cup and here too, are physically very strong, organised and have very good quality," said Lippi at Wednesday's pre-match press conference.







While Iran advanced to the knockout stage unbeaten and without conceding a goal, China ended their group stage campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Korea Republic.

"From what we know of Iran, we know that we must be tactically perfect against them. There is no room for mistakes for they will punish you every chance they get.

"They are technically and tactically very sound and very good in playing long balls. We must be focused against them," added Lippi.

Having said that, Lippi said China have been put much work since the defeat to Korea Republic.

"Iran may be ranked higher than us and I would say they are the favourites but nothing is impossible in football.

"We have been working hard correcting our mistakes and I am confident my players are ready for what will definitely be a very hard match but one which I think we can do well in."

 


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The two met in qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with one ending 1-0 in favour of Iran and the other finishing goalless.

Lippi said China's form in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 indicates the team is improving.

"We have been improving and will go into the match against Iran confident," said Lippi.

Lippi said he would decide after training on Wednesday on whether Wu Lei, who is nursing a shoulder injury, would start after a final training session on Wednesday.


Source: the-afc.com