Iran U20 coach Hossein Abdi has warned his team to not underestimate Yemen in their upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup match. He reflected on their previous encounter, where Iran narrowly won through penalties. Yemen’s coach Al Baadani expressed optimism despite a recent loss, highlighting the importance of improving their finishing for the next game against Iran.
Hossein Abdi, the head coach of Iran’s U20 football team, has expressed his concern regarding the upcoming match against Yemen in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025, which will take place in Shenzhen. He emphasized the necessity of remaining cautious as Yemen previously held Iran to a goalless draw in their last encounter, ultimately losing in a penalty shootout during the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023 quarter-finals in Thailand.
Recognizing the challenges that lie ahead, Coach Abdi stated, “We are facing a very tough match against Yemen. In fact, all our matches will be challenging, and every team will be focused on securing points.” He acknowledged the hard work and discipline of the Yemen team, which consists of several players who are familiar with the Iranian side.
Abdi further noted the difficulties his team faced in preparing, as he has had to manage training sessions with only a partial squad due to some players being with the senior team. He remarked, “We need to improve in all aspects of our game,” indicating his commitment to ensuring that the team is ready for every match in the tournament.
Yemen, coached by Mohammed Hasan Ali Al Baadani, will be striving to recover from their opening match loss against Uzbekistan. Despite their missed opportunities, Al Baadani maintained positivity, stating, “We are still in this competition despite the defeat to Uzbekistan. Football is a game of fine margins and we will do our best to improve our finishing and come back stronger against Iran.”
In summary, Coach Hossein Abdi has emphasized the need for his team to approach their match against Yemen with caution, acknowledging the previous encounter’s outcome. He recognizes the strengths of the Yemen squad and the challenges of preparing with a limited training period. Yemen aims to improve after a defeat, as they seek to regain footing in the competition. Both teams are expected to bring their best efforts to this crucial match.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
