We’ll stop Iheanacho, Yahaya –Iran

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iran insist  they have tactical plans to nullify the threat of  Nigeria’s attacking duo  of Kelechi Iheanacho  and Musa Yahaya in Tuesday’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup Round of 16   clash in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates.

Nigeria have scored 14 goals in the tournament with Iheanacho scoring four and Yahaya on the scoresheet thrice. Injured Isaac Success and Chidiebere Nwakali   have scored two goals each while Taiwo Awoniyi,  Musa Muhammed  and Chigozi Obasi have a goal each to their names.

Iran coach Ali Doustimehr and captain Majed Hosseini say they are aware of the threat posed by the Nigeria strikers to their  hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of UAE 2013. But they maintain that they are ready for the challenge.

“We know about their attack. We know that they only need one second to hurt you, to score a goal from nothing. We know all of this. But we have our strengths too,” Hosseini  was quoted  by FIFA.com  as saying on Monday.

“We will do everything we can to make sure we don’t let the opponents in. It will be the hardest game so far for us; we have no illusions about it. Nigeria are a very strong team.”

The Saipa Alborz defender feels the Asian champions must play to their strengths to seal their place in the last eight.

He said the team would rely on working together as a unit against the Eaglets, adding that the players were raring to go.

Hosseini said, “Everybody in the team acts as a defender and when we do go forward we go forward as one. This is one of the secrets of our success.

“Our defenders, all of us, are close friends and we support each other. When we get in trouble there’s always someone to help out.

“Our goal is the last four. We outlined this before the tournament started and we can still do it. We’ve felt positive energy coming from home. We want to make the Iranian people happy and we’ll give everything we have against Nigeria to do it.”

Doustimehr said his team would do everything to beat Nigeria, who have won the title thrice.

“Ever since I can remember, Nigeria has been one of the FIFA U-17 World Cup favourites. Nigeria and Brazil are the most powerful teams,” Tehran Times quoted  the 48-year-old as saying.

“It is really difficult playing against Nigeria but we want to go ahead, that’s why we are here. I promise to do our best against the team.”

But Eaglets coach Manu Garba dismissed the Iranians, saying his team would win the encounter.

“We are not talking about  winning the trophy now, rather  we are talking about Iran and by the grace of Allah we shall win.”

Iheanacho and Yahaya promised that Nigeria would qualify for the next round of the tournament.

Iheanacho  said. “The most important thing for us is to win all our matches.”