Ali Daei and Team Melli gear up for Kuwait

Tomorrow Team Melli will face Kuwait in the Match Day 2 of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers. This game is a must win for Iran if they have any hopes of making in to South Africa in 2010. It is also a must win for Coach Ali Daei whose team dropped a friendly with Bahrain only a few days ago.

Iran has a respectable record against their Persian Golf neighbors. In thirty one attempts they have managed 14 victories and only 7 losses. However, it is notable that half of these wins came during 1970s that were the golden age of Iranian football. Team Melli is at one of its lowest points in the last decade. Since France 1998, success has come far and long in between and the talent pool is nothing to brag about even in continental context.

The only good piece of news for the Iranian fans is that Kuwait is struggling as well. They lost their opener to UAE 2-0 and a loss here will virtually put them out of contention.

Ever optimistic Daei has admitted that this will be a very tough game for his green troops, but he is confident that they can come away with three points if they stick to the plan.

Kuwait manager Radion Gacanin is also vary of the upcoming challenge, but just like Daei is very confident that his strikers can regain their touch and score against Iran.

I am not a betting man, but if I had to bet ……………… naw! I am not going to start now, but you can bet I will be cheering for the boys tomorrow.