Iran
vs
Uzbekistan
Kick-off
16:45 GMT
12 June 2017
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup just under a year away in Russia, there is still lots of qualifiers to be played to see which sides will be represented as they play for the biggest prize in world football. In this game, Uzbekistan make the trip to Iran as both sides look to qualify from Asian qualifying Group A. Iran are currently top of the group after 7 games with 17 points while their opponents are sitting in 3rd place with 12 points, just one point off second place, who will earn automatic qualification to next summer’s tournament.
Uzbekistan have only beaten Iran on one occasion and that came back in qualification for the 2014 World Cup. Iran have won 4 of the 6 meetings between the two with a goalless in a friendly in 2009. The game has been won 1-0 on each of the last 4 occasions and the last time both teams scored was in the 2007 Asian Cup.
Iran will be desperate to extend their seven-game unbeaten run in qualifying for next year’s World Cup as they are yet to concede a single goal so far. They will be relying on the attacking presence of Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi to win them the game with their good form in front of goal. They’ll want to keep their strong defensive in this one.
Latest matches: Iran
04.06.2017 | ![]() |
Montenegro | Iran | 1:2 | W |
28.03.2017 | ![]() |
Iran | China | 1:0 | W |
23.03.2017 | ![]() |
Qatar | Iran | 0:1 | W |
18.03.2017 | ![]() |
Iran | Iraq | 0:1 | L |
15.11.2016 | ![]() |
Syrian Arab Republic | Iran | 0:0 | D |
A shock win for Uzbekistan in this game could see them move into 2nd place in the group which would mean they have control over whether they qualify for the World Cup with two games remaining after this one. They will have to be the first side in this qualifying group to unlock the Iranian defence if they want to come away with all 3 points.
Latest matches: Uzbekistan
06.06.2017 | ![]() |
Uzbekistan | Thailand | 2:0 | W |
28.03.2017 | ![]() |
Uzbekistan | Qatar | 1:0 | W |
23.03.2017 | ![]() |
Syrian Arab Republic | Uzbekistan | 1:0 | L |
23.01.2017 | ![]() |
Uzbekistan | Georgia | 2:2 | D |
15.11.2016 | ![]() |
South Korea | Uzbekistan | 2:1 | L |
With home advantage as well as a better run of form going into the match, Iran will be favourites for victory but Uzbekistan have been the surprise package of this qualifying campaign and might pull off another big shock. However, whoever does win won’t be expected to score a lot of goals as both sides have only scored 6 goals in their 7 games. The match could go either way with a goalless draw being a big possibility.
12 June 2017 - 16:45 GMT
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