While the European Championship kicks off this weekend, World Cup 2010 qualifying continues in Asia, where Iraq and Iran play critical matches. Iraq faces Australia in Dubai, while Iran — without a competitive victory in almost a year — travels to Al Ain to play the Group 5 leader United Arab Emirates.
New Iran coach Ali Daei holds the record for most international goals, but that has not rubbed off on his team, which recently went six games without scoring, including a 0-0 tie with UAE at home on Monday. “I believe Iran can beat the UAE,” he said. “They played well against the UAE and deserved to win.”
Iraq, the 2007 Asian champion, fell to Australia, 1-0, on Sunday and is in last place in Group 1 with one point after three games. The top two teams in each of the five groups advance to the final round of Asian qualifying.