Hong kong vs Iran: Key Match Analysis

bysuperuser •January 20, 2024

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Iran can take another step towards an eighth successive trip to the knockout stage of the Asian Cup when they face Hong Kong on Friday at Khalifa International Stadium.

[Alex de Minaur at Australian Open 2024; Getty Images] Known for the wheels that earned him the Speed Demon moniker, Alex de Minaur has lifted a gear at Australian Open 2024. With a straight-sets win over Flavio Cobolli at John Cain Arena, the No.1 Australian moved smoothly into the tournament’s second week. Combining his trademark weapons of tenacity and athleticism, De Minaur defeated the Italian qualifier 6-3 6-3 6-1 to set a fourth-round meeting with fifth seed Andrey Rublev. “This is where the tournament really starts,” said a business-like De Minaur, making no secret of his fierce ambitions at his home Grand Slam. “I say this because this is where I want to be. This is where the tail end of the tournament starts, the second week of Slams. “I’ve always been told that the first week of a Slam is to get through however way you want to, and the second week is when you start to play your real tennis. “Hopefully I can do that. Now the matches … should be against better-ranked opponents. I’m looking forward to that.” De Minaur took two hours and seven minutes to wear down Cobolli, who was considerably more dangerous than his world No.100 ranking suggested. After three dominant wins in qualifying, the 21-year-old had launched a first Australian Open main-draw campaign with a five-set upset of No.18 seed Nicolas Jarry, before overcoming Pavel Kotov in four sets. Armed with a particularly potent forehand, the crafty Cobolli recorded 45 winners in his first match and a similarly effective 41 in the second. Facing De Minaur, however, the Australian Open debutante was never provided with the opportunity to produce his best. The Australian struck a first blow as he earned the first break against Cobolli in an extended seventh game. While De Minaur didn’t consolidate, he also didn’t panic. Another break over the Italian proved a confidence-booster, the No.10 seed lifting a level to secure the 39-minute first set with an ace. An epic third game was the turning point of the second set, with De Minaur securing a 2-1 lead on his ninth break point. With energy levels only rising, he maintained that advantage to close out the set. The toll of a sixth match in Melbourne started showing for Cobolli, who was treated for a leg complaint when he trailed 0-3 in the third set. De Minaur, by contrast, was seemingly growing in energy as he gained another break of serve and confidently served out the match, securing victory with a perfectly placed forehand, for his 26th winner of the match. “I probably must be feeling the freshest I’ve been getting at this stage of the tournament,” said De Minaur, who progressed through the first round when Milos Raonic withdrew through injury, then defeated Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets. “Physically I’m feeling great. Now it’s just about giving all my energy for what’s to come.” Having reached the same stage of the 2022 and 2023 tournaments, De Minaur becomes the first Australian to reach the fourth round of his home Grand Slam in three consecutive editions since Lleyton Hewitt between 2003 and 2005. Asked what it would mean to further emulate the success of his mentor, De Minaur noted the importance of focusing o his own success. “First of all, I’ll try to get a little bit better and beat my personal best, get to a quarterfinals. That’s the first step,” he commented. “I’ve made a couple fourth rounds in the past. I maybe have gotten to that point and not played the type of match I wanted to. I’m hoping I can break that barrier and go one further.”

The Dragons lost their opening encounter, 3-1, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while Iran had little trouble dispatching Palestine, winning 4-1.

A wait of over 50 years without an Asian Cup appearance officially ended for Hong Kong this past weekend, and the players put forth a valiant effort, with a pair of VAR penalties called against them in the defeat.

The lowest-ranked Asian side coming into this competition, 150th according to FIFA, were level with the UAE early into the second half before a lapse in concentration shortly after equalising.

Sunday was the first time a side from Hong Kong featured at the Asian Cup since 1968, while this team are now winless in their 11 matches played in this competition.

Jorn Andersen's men though have shown plenty of fight in recent games, coming back from a pair of one-goal deficits to draw Turkmenistan in 2026 World Cup qualifying last year, while also claiming a famous 2-1 victory over China earlier this month, their first against them in 39 years.

While they have only been held off the scoresheet once in their last five matches (2-0 defeat versus Saudi Arabia), Hong Kong have not been quite so tidy defensively, conceding in each of their last seven encounters.

It has been over a decade since they suffered a defeat after drawing first blood, losing a friendly to Vietnam, 2-1 in June 2012.

One of the tournament favourites made a solid opening statement, with Iran scoring on four of their five targeted efforts this past weekend.

Since exiting the group stage of the 2022 World Cup with a 1-0 defeat versus the USA, the Iranians have yet to lose and have not been beaten by an Asian opponent since March of that same year (2-0 versus South Korea).

While Amir Ghalenoei can hardly have too many complaints about his side's performance on matchday one, Iran had not conceded in eight successive Asian Cup group stage fixtures before Tamer Seyam put Palestine on the board late in the opening half on Sunday.

Their run of clean sheets may have ended, but their group stage dominance at the Asian Cup continued, with Team Melli winning 11 consecutive group fixtures in this competition, a streak that began in 2007.

A victory for Iran on Friday combined with a win or draw by the UAE would maintain their streak of knockout stage appearances, with this team being eliminated from the group phase only once since 1968 (1992).

It has been nearly 50 years since they suffered their one and only defeat versus Hong Kong, though that 1-0 loss in July 1974 was an unofficial match, while Iran have won their last six encounters against them.

Keyword: Iran Asian Cup 2023, Hong Kong vs Iran, Iran knockout stage streak, Asian Cup football Iran, Hong Kong Asian Cup history, Iran undefeated in Asian Cup, Hong Kong football recent matches, Iran vs Hong Kong prediction, Asian Cup Group Stage, Team Melli Asian Cup record

Hong Kong vs. Iran: Key Matchup Analysis

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