Syria FC is looking to make their first appearance in the last 16 a memorable one, by winning against Iran FC, and earn a spot in the quarterfinals. Coming into this game, these two teams are actually from different campaigns. Syria had a mixed result during match, which is why they are at the third of their group standings. From their campaign, Syria had four points, but are winless in their last two group stage matches. On the other hand, Iran were able to show how dominant and impressive they are as a team, as they won their group stage. Iran were able to win all their matches in the group stage, which helped them gain nine points, and win their group. These two teams will face for their last 16 match on February 1, 2024, at 12:00 AM (GMT+8).
Syria FC
Syria’s relentlessness on matchday three paid off as they scored the winning goal with less than 15 minutes remaining, keeping their Asian Cup hopes alive. Hector Cuper’s men were well-disciplined defensively, conceding just a single goal in three matches, the fewest ever for Syria in the group phase of this competition. Syria have not played in a tournament knockout fixture since capturing the 2012 West Asian Football Federation Championship in 2012. They have shown tremendous resilience since a 5-0 defeat versus Japan last November, conceding a goal or fewer in four of their previous five outings, losing only once during that stretch (1-0 versus Australia).
Syria’s final group fixture against India saw Alaa Al Dali and Mouhamad Anez as substitutes. Fahd Youssef and Amro Jenyat need five more appearances to reach 50 caps, while Moayad Ajan can reach 70. Omar Khribin scored the winning goal, his 22nd with the national team.
Iran FC
Iran has qualified for the knockout stage for the eighth time at the Asian Cup, extending their unbeaten run in the group stage to 23 matches. This marks the third time in the past four Asian Cups that Iran has finished the group phase with a 100% record, unbeaten in 16 consecutive matches in all competitions. Iran has not lost to an Asian opponent in nearly two years, with South Korea being the last to defeat them in a March 2022 World Cup qualifier. However, Iran has only advanced beyond their opening Asian Cup knockout fixture in their previous four attempts. Since exiting the 2022 World Cup group stage with a 1-0 defeat against the USA, Iran has only conceded the opening goal in three matches, each time earning a positive result.
Sadegh Moharrami is out for the tournament due to ACL rupture. Shojae Khalilzadeh and Ali Gholizadeh return to Iran’s starting 11 after knockouts. Ehsan Hajsafi earns his 140th cap, while Mehdi Taremi scores the most goals for the Iranian squad.
Prediction:
Iran FC (1.5)
Odds: -0.90
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