Iran to Take Another Step Toward 2026 World Cup against Kyrgyzstan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran will expect to take another step towards sealing qualification when it plays Kyrgyzstan in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Tuesday at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.
Seeking a fourth consecutive and seventh overall appearance at the global showpiece, Iran hold a three-point lead at the summit, with the top two sides to qualify automatically for the Finals.
Despite a fightback from DPR Korea, Iran was deserved winner of its tie on Thursday after a dominant first half which saw the team taking a 3-0 lead.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei will want his side to avoid another nervous finish, which was sparked by Shojae Khalilzadeh's 50th minute sending off.
Kyrgyzstan, appearing at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the first time, only has three points on the board but remains in contention and will be determined to make home ground advantage count against Iran.
Maksim Lisitsyn's lost 3-0 to United Arab Emirates on Thursday with the head coach attributing its heaviest defeat so far in the AFC Asian Qualifiers to mistakes of its own doing.
The Central Asian side was, however, a handful to its opponents in its earlier matches and will hope for a result against Iran, who was restricted to a 1-0 win when the sides met in September.