LONDON: Yemen may be making their debut in the tournament and be ranked 135th in the rankings, but head coach Jan Kocian said the lack of expectation could work in their favor when they face Iran today.
Their opponents are one of the favorites to lift the trophy on Feb. 1 — at 29 are the highest ranked side in the Asian Cup — and expected to brush aside Yemen with ease at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Kocian, however, has told his team to forget about any fear they may have and to go out and enjoy their day.
“The world knows Iran. They had a great World Cup and in Carlos Queiroz, one of the best coaches in the world. We are, however, not going to let that get to us,” the Slovakian said.
“We already have a concept of how we are going to play. We respect Iran, Iraq and Vietnam but we are not going to be afraid.
“There is no pressure on the team and as a ‘small’ team, we are allowed to dream and that dream is to defeat Iran.”
Team Melli have not lifted the trophy since 1976, but, buoyed by a good showing at last year’s World Cup when they went toe-to-toe with Spain and Portugal before exiting after the group stage, are confident they can go all the way in the UAE.
Queiroz, however, has warned his side against complacency.
“This is football. You cannot play a football game with a credit card of being favorites. If you don’t play good football, you don’t deserve to win,” the coach said.
“We came here to play good games and we have to if we want to defeat any team. Yemen are a good side and we have to respect them.
Yemen out to enjoy themselves in Group D opener against Iran
Yemen out to enjoy themselves in Group D opener against Iran
- Yemen ready to make their tournament debut against one of the strong favorites.
- Coach Jan Kocian hopes lack of expectation plays to his side's advantage in UAE capital.
Forever Young to defend Saudi Cup crown from stall 6
- Trainer Yoshito Yahagi happy with position for 2025 hero at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday
RIYADH: Forever Young (JPN) will emerge from gate six when bidding to defend his group one $20-million Saudi Cup crown at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.
The reigning champion was the penultimate horse to be given a barrier and only five or six remained when Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi picked out the starting berth.
“I think six is a good number,” Yahagi said. “We don’t have to change anything with tactics. Honestly, I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders bringing a defending champion but Forever Young doesn’t feel any pressure at all.”
American Hall of Famer Bob Baffert is in Riyadh and Flavien Prat will guide Nysos (US) from gate 12, while Irad Ortiz Jr. and Nevada Beach (US) have drawn gate seven.
“I’d rather be on the outside than the inside,” Baffert said after drawing the wide gate for Nysos.
“As long as the horse shows up that is more important. I think he is a really good horse and has always shown brilliance, he’s a trier and knows where the wire is. From the outside he will have a clear run.”
“Gate seven is good for Nevada Beach too. We just didn’t want to be in the one-hole,” Baffert added.
Last year’s fifth-place finisher Rattle N Roll (US) raced from seven on that occasion but this time around Joel Rosario will steer Kenny McPeek’s 6-year-old from stall 11.
Kyoko Maekawa drew stall one for Sunrise Zipangu (JPN) who will be ridden by Oisin Murphy. The Japan Racing Association’s first female trainer was Yahagi’s assistant in Saudi Arabia when Panthalassa (JPN) won The Saudi Cup from stall one in 2023.
Noriyuki Hori’s Luxor Cafe (US) has a wider starting point in barrier 10.
Leading local contender Mhally (GB) will break from stall 13. “We are very happy with that draw, we wanted something on the outside,” said Sheikh Faisal Al-Sabah, son of owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Al-Sabah.
“Hopefully he proves himself on Saturday.”
Banishing (US) was described as a horse with “a heart of gold” by trainer David Jacobson’s son, Zachary, and the American raider will break from stall three, while the Brad Cox-trained Bishops Bay (US) will come from nine.
The Saad Aljenade-trained Star Of Wonder (US) will start from the same stall five that Emblem Road (US) won the race, while his stable companion Haqeet (US) is inside that in box two under Mickael Barzalona.
Ryan Moore is a notable jockey booking for the Sami Alharabi-trained Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) who breaks from four.
Thundersquall (GB) will start from the widest draw of all in 14 for trainer Muteb Almulawah and jockey Danny Tudhope, while Tumbarumba (US) and James Doyle will begin the richest race in the world from eight for Hamad Al-Jehani and Wathnan Racing.
