Wales and Iran meet for their second Group B match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this Friday. HITC Football previews the tie as Cymru strive to build on a 1-1 draw with the USA.
Gareth Bale rescued a point for Rob Page’s squad against the USMNT on Monday with his 82nd-minute penalty. Timothy Weah broke the deadlock on 36 minutes at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium after Christian Pulisic slipped George Weah’s son through to stroke the ball home.
Wales now go into their meeting with Iran with the chance to go four points clear of Team Melli. Carlos Queiroz’s side suffered a 6-2 mauling against England on Monday during their opening match. The Three Lions were comfortably a cut above the Western Asian country.
HITC Football previews Wales vs Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Page will hope to see an improved Wales performance when they meet Iran at the World Cup. Cymru started dangerously slowly against the USA and almost fell behind after nine minutes when Wayne Hennessey had to react instantly to prevent a Joe Rodon own goal.
The introduction of Kieffer Moore for Dan James at half-time allowed Wales to find their footing in the match. Page could now start the AFC Bournemouth striker against Iran over the Leeds United winger on loan to Fulham. But he will want to see Bale shine more often.
Moore also admits the prospect of facing Iran after England’s dominant result excites him. He said, via Wales Online: “England played really well to utilise those positions and to get balls into the box. If we can replicate that then, hopefully, we can get the same outcome.
“You could just see England’s dominance in the box, they took a 3-0 lead into half-time and I think that set the tone for the game. We know what to do. We know what to expect from them. It’s going to be a tough game and they’re going to have a reaction.”
In the opposite dugout, Queiroz will want any sort of response from his Iran players to the England defeat against Wales. Team Melli posed next to no threat for the Three Lions and were fortunate to score two. Mehdi Taremi hit both, including a questionable late penalty.
Team News: Beiranvand is to miss the Wales tie after the Iran star clashed with Majid
Iran will be without Alireza Beiranvand against Wales after the goalkeeper collided heavily with Hosseini Majid against England. The shot-stopper sought to continue after minutes of treatment. Seyed Hossein Hosseini soon came on with Beiranvand in no condition to play.
Wales could welcome Joe Allen back from a hamstring injury to feature in their Group B tie with Iran. The Swansea City midfielder has been out of action since September but he may feature in some capacity. Allen joined the rest of Page’s side in full training on Wednesday.
What is the head-to-head record between Cymru and Team Melli?
Wales and Iran have only met once previously ahead of their Group B match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Cymru beat Team Melli 1-0 during a friendly in Tehran in April 1978.
Who is the form side ahead of meeting at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
Page will oversee his 30th game as Wales boss against Iran on Friday. He oversaw 26 ties – including securing their qualification for Qatar 2022 – whilst the caretaker replacement for Ryan Giggs. Over both periods, Page has won 10 and drawn 10 times to nine defeats so far.
Queiroz only took charge of Iran this September after stepping down as Egypt manager. He has so far overseen five Team Melli fixtures for two wins and one draw before two defeats.
Wales’ last nine games: D-L-W-L-D-L-L-L-D
Iran’s last nine games: W-L-W-L-W-D-W-L-L
How to watch Wales vs Iran live in the UK on TV and online
Wales and Iran’s match at the 2022 Qatar World Cup is live in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It will also be available in Welsh on S4C. The free-to-air public broadcast television network stars its programming at 09:15 GMT with a 45-minute build-up show on BBC One.
Coverage on S4C (Freesat, Sky and Virgin TV channel 104 – Freesat 120, Sky 134 and Virgin 166 in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland) also starts at 09:15 GMT. BBC Radio 5 Live will carry commentary from kick-off at 10:00 GMT along with its build-up from 09:00 GMT.
Wales World Cup facts ahead of Qatar 2022
Current FIFA world ranking: #19
World Cup titles: 0 (best finish of the quarter-finals in 1958)
World Cup appearance: 2
How they qualified: Beat Ukraine 1-0 in the UEFA Path A play-off final
Iran World Cup facts ahead of Qatar 2022
Current FIFA world ranking: #20
World Cup titles: 0 (best finish of the group stage in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014 and 2018)
World Cup appearance: 6
How they qualified: Finished top of the AFC Group A table with 25 points from 10 games
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