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LONDON: Yemen may be making their debut in the tournament and be ranked 135th in the rankings, but head coach Jan Kocian said the lack of expectation could work in their favor when they face Iran today.
Their opponents are one of the favorites to lift the trophy on Feb. 1 — at 29 are the highest ranked side in the Asian Cup — and expected to brush aside Yemen with ease at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Kocian, however, has told his team to forget about any fear they may have and to go out and enjoy their day.
“The world knows Iran. They had a great World Cup and in Carlos Queiroz, one of the best coaches in the world. We are, however, not going to let that get to us,” the Slovakian said.
“We already have a concept of how we are going to play. We respect Iran, Iraq and Vietnam but we are not going to be afraid.
“There is no pressure on the team and as a ‘small’ team, we are allowed to dream and that dream is to defeat Iran.”
Team Melli have not lifted the trophy since 1976, but, buoyed by a good showing at last year’s World Cup when they went toe-to-toe with Spain and Portugal before exiting after the group stage, are confident they can go all the way in the UAE.
Queiroz, however, has warned his side against complacency.
“This is football. You cannot play a football game with a credit card of being favorites. If you don’t play good football, you don’t deserve to win,” the coach said.
“We came here to play good games and we have to if we want to defeat any team. Yemen are a good side and we have to respect them.