India to switch on attacking mode vs Iran

Mumbai, January 18

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India head coach Thomas Dennerby today said the hosts would aim to breakdown a strong Iranian defence with an attacking game to eke out a win in their women’s AFC Asian Cup opener here on Thursday.

The match against Iran would be crucial for India in their bid to qualify for the quarterfinals. Iran are the lowest ranked team in Group A which also has China and Chinese Taipei. They are ranked 70th in the world as against India’s 55th.

“Our first target is to get to quarterfinals, we think we have a realistic chance to do that. Iran is going to be a real tough game. We have followed them through videos and they are really a fighting (team),” Dennerby said in a virtual media interaction.

“They (Iran) have strong defence, they defend very well around their box. It is going to be a challenge for us to score. It is not going to be an easy game. We are hoping that with some creative and good passing game, we can breakdown their defence,” he added.

A win against Iran will give India a big chance to make it to the the quarterfinals. A quarterfinal berth will virtually ensure at least an inter-continental playoffs berth for the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. —