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Asian Cup 2011: Asian Cup Group D Preview: Iran – North Korea, UAE – Iraq
The defending champions could be eliminated if results don't go their way.
15-Jan-2011 4:17:00 PM
By Robin Bairner
After kicking off with a positive victory over neighbours Iraq, Iran will hope to book qualification to the knock-out stage by getting the better of North Korea. Led by Osasuna pair Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei, who are their best known players in Europe, the Iraqis will have genuine hopes of pick up three points against a side who qualified for last summer’s World Cup finals.
In the group’s later kick-off, the UAE meet Iraq in a game neither can afford to lose. UAE earned a point in their opening match against North Korea, but that was a game that will only live long in the memory because excitement was in such short supply. Defending champions Iraq, meanwhile, saw their crown slip in their opening match, when they allowed the lead to slip against Iran before losing 2-1. A similar scoreline would leave Wolfgang Sidka’s side eliminated.
In the group’s later kick-off, the UAE meet Iraq in a game neither can afford to lose. UAE earned a point in their opening match against North Korea, but that was a game that will only live long in the memory because excitement was in such short supply. Defending champions Iraq, meanwhile, saw their crown slip in their opening match, when they allowed the lead to slip against Iran before losing 2-1. A similar scoreline would leave Wolfgang Sidka’s side eliminated.
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