World Cup 2022: Points at a Premium for Wales and Iran 

Wales vs Iran

The battle for qualification from Group B continues on Friday as the game between Wales and Iran sees two passionate nations go in search of their first win of World Cup 2022.

The Dragons start the game ahead of their opponents after grabbing a late point in a hard fought 1-1 draw with USA, while Iran were on the end of a 6-2 hiding at the hands of group favourites England. Neither team can qualify with a win on Friday, but a defeat would give the loser a mountain to climb.  

The pre-match World Cup 2022 betting odds give Rob Page’s side the edge but these are two pretty well-matched teams and all three results are in play. The nations couldn’t be closer in the FIFA World Rankings with Wales at 19^th and Iran at 20^th. We’re in for a battle royal and both Page and Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz will have their best 11 primed and ready for action.

This may not be a game for the purists, but there will be plenty of fight from both teams, and of that you can be sure.

Talking Points

Moore can take the pressure off Bale  

Gareth Bale has been Wales’ go-to man for over a decade and, alongside midfielder Aaron Ramsay he has carried the hopes of the nation on his shoulders.

Neither considered as elder statesmen, Bale or Ramsey had a great game against the USA, but when the big moment came, Bale delivered.

At 1-0 down with 10 minutes remaining, the Wales talisman was tripped by Walker Zimmerman in the penalty area and he climbed to his feet to plant the spot-kick home.

Bale has scored 41 goals in his 109 games for Wales, but no team cannot rely on one man alone and the player who can take some of the scoring responsibility is Bournemouth target man Kieffer Moore. 

The 30-year-old has scored nine goals for his country from 29 appearances and he helped revive Wales’ fortunes when he came on as a substitute against the USA with his tireless running and pressing.

I would say he should start against Iran, a game the Dragons believe they can win. Moore is strong in the air and can benefit from the delivery of Burnley wing-back Connor Roberts.     

Wales are still without the influential Joe Allen so the experience that Moore brings to the Dragons is an added bonus.

Queiroz asks for unity 

After a difficult start to their campaign, Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz has asked the fans to stay home if they aren’t prepared to support their team after the Iranian hoards spent too much of the game against England jeering their own players.

Queiroz has a wealth of touchline experience as a former Real Madrid and Manchester United coach, as well as leading the national teams of Portugal, Colombia, and Egypt and this is his second stint in charge of Iran.

So he has every right to demand unity. While the Iranians had a defencive nightmare against England, they managed to cut through the Three Lions’ rearguard twice as Mehdi Taremi bagged a brace and he is likely to line up against Wales alongside Bayer Leverkusen striker Sardar Azmoun – who has scored 41 goals in 66 internationals.

Azmoun will be pushing for a start after climbing off the bench against England. He’s known by fans as the Iranian Messi but he’s had his differences with the supporters too, retiring at the age of 23 after the 2018 World Cup due to abuse he received from some fans.

But thankfully for the supportive Iranians, he’s back and firing again.   

History

This is the first time Wales and Iran have met as, although Iran have made the finals on six occasions since their first appearance in 1978 including the last three, this is the first appearance Wales has made since 1958.  

Iran have never made it through the group stages but the Dragons did reach the quarter-finals on their only previous appearance.

In terms of recent form Iran have won three, drawn one, and lost two, while Wales have drawn two and lost four of the last six. And though Wales have had a tougher run against teams of the calibre of the Netherlands and Belgium, Iran have beaten Uruguay in their run up to the tournament. 

Betting Tip

England and USA fans will be watching the World Cup 2022 updates with interest before they do battle later on Friday. And certainly for the Stars and Stripes, a draw would probably be the best outcome. 

Wales are at SBOTOP odds of 2.17 to win and Iran at 3.40, but I think they will cancel each other out. And for a correct score line, 1-1 at odds of 5.40 is a good outside bet.

 

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