Team Melli finished top of Group C, securing a 2-1 victory against United Arab Emirates on matchday three and thereby taking their points tally to a maximum of nine points.
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The final team to reach the quarter-final stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 will be decided at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday when Iran square off against Syria in a round of 16 fixture. Team Melli finished top of Group C, securing a 2-1 victory against United Arab Emirates on matchday three and thereby taking their points tally to a maximum of nine points, while the Syrians qualified for the knockout stage of this tournament for the first time as one of the best third-placed sides, edging past India 1-0 in their last encounter of Group A.
Iran 🇮🇷, 3x🏆 winners, go against Syria 🇸🇾 who made history in this edition by qualifying to Round of 16 for the first time ever
Who do you think will win? 👇#AsianCup2023 #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/zUlsA4DsIS
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) January 31, 2024
Iran kicked off their Asian Cup group stage with a dominant 4-1 win over Palestine, before securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Hong Kong on matchday two. Team Melli claimed all three points against UAE in their final Group C-fixture thanks to Mehdi Taremi’s brace. For an eighth straight time at this tournament, Iranians have qualified for the knockout phase. Moreover, the result extended their unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions, recording 14 wins in the process, including the last five with an overall scoreline of 14-3. Meanwhile, under Amir Ghalenoei, Iran have found the back of the net in every one of their competitive fixtures since the 60-year-old took charge following the elimination from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Syria, on the other hand, started off with an impressive goalless draw with Uzbekistan, before narrowly losing out to Australia (1-0) on matchday two. But Hector Cuper’s men secured all three points versus a spirited India last time out thanks to Omar Khribin’s lone goal 14 minutes from time. Nosour Quasioun have lost only one of their last five fixtures in 2023, claiming two clean sheets in the period. Cuper’s men have displayed tremendous resilience in this tournament so far and they will certainly have to be at their best to test the three time champions on Wednesday .
Iran probable starting lineup: Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Kanaanizadegan, Hosseini, Hajsafi, Ghoddos, Cheshmi, Mohebi, Taremi, Ghayedi, Ansarifard
Syria probable starting lineup: Madania, Weiss, Ousou, Krouma, Ajan, Al Aswad, Elias, Ham, Anez, Hesar, Sabbag
Iran
| Opponents | Score |
| UAE | 2-1 (W) |
| Hong Kong | 0-1 (W) |
| Palestine | 4-1 (W) |
| Indonesia | 0-5 (W) |
| Burkina Faso | 2-1 (W) |
Syria
| Opponents | Score |
| India | 1-0 (W) |
| Australia | 0-1 (L) |
| Uzbekistan | 0-0 (D) |
| Malaysia | 2-2 (D) |
| Kyrgyzstan | 1-1 (D) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Iran beat Syria | 0-3 |
| Iran beat Syria | 1-0 |
| Iran beat Syria | 3-0 |
| Iran beat Syria | 5-0 |
| Iran draw Syria | 2-2 |
The AFC Asian Cup fixture between Iran and Syria will take place at Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday at 9:30 pm IST.
| Iran vs Syria | Key Details |
| Date | January 31 |
| Venue | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium |
| Kickoff time in Iran | 7:30 pm |
| Kickoff time in Syria | 7:00 pm |
| Kickoff time in Qatar | 7:00 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 9:30 pm |
Football fans in India can live stream the game through Jio TV. Meanwhile, those in Iran can watch the match on AIO network and Persiana Sports. Football fans in Syria can catch the live action via beIN Asian Cup network, beIN Sports Connect and TOD.
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