Two-time champion Mexico will seek a massive improvement in all departments to salvage its reputation after taking the least-convincing route to the knockouts.
Mario Arteaga’s wards have been shaky at the back, sluggish once the centre circle is passed and seriously lacking in ideas when the opposition crowd them. They missed some close-range finishes in the crucial game against Chile.
To counter this problem, the coach might even ditch his favoured midfield diamond and ask his boys to attack from the wings as Iran has shown weakness in defending crosses.
This could probably be the only area in which Iran needs to step up if it wishes to go the distance. Fortunately, the team has not suffered much in the group stage.
When Arteaga was asked whether he is happy with his team progressing with just two points, he said: “we played good attacking game in all three games, but our finishing was pathetic. Our opponents Iraq (played with five at the back) and Chile (six at the back) were too defensive. They made life difficult for us.
“Against England, the plan was to come out unscathed in the first half, but they surprised us with their attacking play and scored two goals. We stepped up our game in the second half and got two goals.”
“Anyway, we are going to start from scratch and we are not bothered about our opponent. We know their defenders would try to play long balls to the No. 9 and we have to stop that.
“We have experience playing at this level and we hope we can do well tomorrow [Tuesday],” he said.
Iran’s head coach Abbas Chamanian has transformed a bunch of talented youngsters into a slick winning machine. The intensity with which the team plays is striking. So, too, is the collective solidarity. The players are supremely competitive, strong, organised and tactically astute.
Forward Younes Delfi, who harassed the German defence with his sublime skills, can walk into any top European clubs’ youth side. He has a hand in five of the ten goals, scoring two, assisting one, and winning two penalties. He could end up winning the Golden Ball award.
Abbas said Mexico is a dangerous side. “Their attack is excellent, but the defence is slightly shaky. Hopefully we capitalise on it.”
There will be another Asian showcasing his skills in the second game on Tuesday to claim the Golden Boot.
Pacey, direct, and with scoring expertise from long and short range, Iraq’s Mohammed Dawood has fired in some top-notch goals in this edition. The youngster, who possesses the qualities of Diego Costa, can run with the ball from the half-line and is also strong in the air.
Playing to his strengths, the team defends deep and provides precise long balls to him.
But Mali’s combative backline can stop him in his tracks. Coach Jonas Komla sets his team up in a conventional 4-2-3-1 formation, and the defence plays a high-line to pin the opposition in its half.
In attack, Mali’s numbers are outstanding with 85 attempts on goal. The Les Aigles may find it difficult to find space in the crowded midfield, but have the strength and vision to overcome it.
