Lippi hopes Lady Luck smiles on China against 'strongest' Iran

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China coach Marcello Lippi is under no illusion that his team will be underdogs when they take on three-time champions Iran in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.

For a side that is desperate to make a huge breakthrough after a string of disappointments, it is rotten luck to face arguably the best team in this tournament. Iran heads into the last eight unbeaten without conceding a goal, notching nine goals in four games.

The face-off might also trigger flashbacks to any of China's four defeats to Iran in the last 11 years. They were swatted aside by them in 2008 and 2009, were subjected to a 2-0 loss in 2010 and were beaten 1-0 during the Russia World Cup qualifier in 2017.

China coach Marcello Lippi during a training session in Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates, January 22, 2019. /VCG Photo

But all is not lost and China would be wrong to succumb to an overwhelming sense of gloom and doom. Of course, they would have had a better chance against Vietnam, Qatar or even the hosts the United Arab Emirates in the quarter-finals. But the beauty of football is its unpredictability. Even if Iran, Asia's top-ranked team, go in as favorites, Lippi's side still has a chance.

China defied low expectations in their group thanks to a late rally against Kyrgyzstan in their opening game, which they recovered from a goal down to win 2-1, getting them off on the right foot before cruising past the Philippines 3-0 and losing 2-0 to South Korea. They then came from behind to overcome Thailand 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals despite another slow start.

Lippi remains optimistic that his players will once again exceed expectations but knows they will need a slice of fortune to get a result against their mighty opponents on Thursday.

"Iran are the strongest opponents in Asia. They are physically strong, well organized and boast many quality players," observed Lippi.

"You can't make any mistakes against them because they are very dangerous. Most of my injured players are back in full training and should be fit to play. Hopefully, we will have a bit of luck on our side," he added.

The Italian tactician also cited the example of world ranked 113th Bahrain for pushing Son Heung-min's South Korea to the limit in their round-of-16 narrow loss, asserting that China is capable of beating the odds.

"Nobody expects Bahrain to force the game into extra time. We know it's going to be very, very hard but in football, you never know," said Lippi. "As long as we cut out the mistakes and ride our luck, perhaps something unexpected could happen."

Lippi's tactical switch helped China come back to beat Thailand 2-1 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

Lippi's opposite number, Carlos Queiroz, however, insisted form and rankings count for next to nothing in the febrile atmosphere of a knockout tie.

"We're not the favorites," said the 65-year-old Portuguese veteran. "There are no favorites when you play a winner-takes-all game like this. We always try to be humble and respectful," added Queiroz, who is expected to take up the Colombia job after the Asian Cup.

"You can't win or lose games with statistics or rankings. What counts is the inspiration of the players, their character, who controls their emotions the best."

"These games are cup finals – they have no history, no past. We need to play with heart and be mentally cold."

"It's important for us to start the game with freedom, to be free to take risks and make decisions – we have to enjoy it and let the football flow."

Carlos Queiroz insists his top-ranked Iran team should not be labeled favorites ahead of their Asian Cup quarter-final clash with China. /VCG Photo

Queiroz, who aims to end a 43-year title drought for Team Melli, is looking to erase the bitter memory of Iran's heartbreaking elimination at the hands of arch-rivals Iraq at the same stage four years ago.

"The difference this time is we are going to be more alert," said the former Portugal and Real Madrid boss.

"It will be a tough game against a team of giants. It's the most important game of our lives."

IRAN PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sardar Azmoun from Russian Premier League's Kazan Rubin

Sardar Azmoun #20 of Iran in the match against Oman of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

Born in 1995, 17-year-old Azmoun in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League scored two goals for Russia's Rostov in the matches against Bundesliga's Bayern Munich and La Liga's Atletico Madrid, giving the whole world a sense of who this young forward was. Though he once quit Iran's national team after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Azmoun returned for his country before the 2019 Asian Cup.

He scored the first goal for Iran in their match against Yemen in Group D and then carried all the team's two goals against Vietnam. Furthermore, in the match against Oman in the round of 16, Azmoun even predicted the opponent's shooting direction during penalty kicks and helped Iran's goalkeeper stop Oman from scoring.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh from Premier League's Brighton & Hove Albion

Alireza Jahanbakhsh #18 of Iran in the match against Oman of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

Twenty-five-year-old Jahanbakhsh is another typical Iranian winger. He went to the Netherlands in 2013 and in the 2017-18 Eredivisie season scored 21 goals and 12 assists for AZ Alkmaar to become the first Asian player to win top scorer in one of Europe's major soccer leagues. Then Brighton reached out to him and brought him to England with the second highest salary ever for an Asian player, 23.4 million U.S. dollars, only behind what South Korea's Son Heung-min received.

Suffering from leg injuries, Jahanbakhsh did not play for Iran until their third match in Group D and scored his first goal in the round of 16 against Oman. It's true that this is not the best Jahanbakhsh, but he is getting better.

Ashkan Dejagah from Persian Gulf Pro League's Tractor Sazi

Ashkan Dejagah #21 of Iran shoots a penalty kick in the match against Oman of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, January 20, 2019. /VCG Photo

Thirty-two-year-old Dejagah has dual nationality for both Iran and Germany. He used to play for Germany's youth teams ranging from U17 to U21. In 2012, Dejagah was naturalized by Iran and joined the country's national team.

Before he returned to the Persian Gulf Pro League, Dejagah played for multiple European clubs including Bundesliga's Hertha BSC, VfL Wolfsburg, and Premier League's Fulham, Nottingham Forest, giving him the richest playing experience in top European soccer leagues among all Iranian players.

(With inputs from AFP)