According to Tasnim news agency, the national football team of our country was grouped with the national teams of the UAE, Hong Kong and Palestine in Group C of the 2023 Asian Nations Cup.
We examine the conditions of Iran’s competitors on the way to the round of 16.
Emirates
The toughest and most familiar opponent of Qalanewi students in the group stage is the 72nd place in the FIFA rankings and is considered the host of the last tournament. 1990 was the only year the UAE participated in the World Cup, when they were dismissed with three defeats. UAE has played 18 times against the national team of our country, and the 3-1 victory in 1997 is the only win of this team. Iran has tasted victory against the UAE 14 times and three matches have ended in a draw.
The UAE has always made it difficult for its rivals in the Asian Nations Cup. This team reached the runner-up position in 1996 and was defeated in the semi-finals in 2019, when it was the host in both years. Winning the third and fourth places in the Asian Nations Cup in 2015 and 1992 is also seen in the UAE’s record.
Palestine
The team that has not yet qualified for the World Cup ranked 92nd in the world and was the third seeded team. Iran has lined up in five games against Palestine so far, three wins and two draws were the result of these games. The 7-1 advantage in the friendly match of 2011 is the best result of our country’s team against Palestine.
In the last two Asian Nations Cups, Palestine was the only presence in these games. Palestine experienced three defeats in the 2015 tournament and had two draws and one defeat in 2019, which prevented the Palestinians from advancing to the elimination stage.
Hong Kong
All six confrontations between Hong Kong and Iran have resulted in six wins for our country’s team, with Iran scoring 14 goals and conceding only one goal. Hong Kong has not achieved any success in national football and has not participated in the last 13 Asian Nations Cups.
Standing on the third platform in the first tournament in 1956 and winning the fourth place in the 1964 Asian Nations Cup are Hong Kong’s best positions in the competitions of the old continent. Hong Kong ranked 147th in the world and is the 23rd Asian team among the 23 teams in the competition.
