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Saturday 21st November 2009

Arsenal v Wigan

Iran set to miss trio

Iran look set to be without Javad Nekounam, Masoud Shojaei and Andranik Teymourian in the match against Jordan on Sunday.

Iran look set to be without overseas-based trio Javad Nekounam, Masoud Shojaei and Andranik Teymourian as Afshin Ghotbi's unbeaten Group E leaders look to move a step closer to the 2011 Asian Cup finals with a win over Jordan in Amman tomorrow.

Teymourian has returned to English Premier League side Fulham, while Iran have asked Spanish side Osasuna to allow Nekounam and Shojaei to play after the trio featured in the 1-0 win over Jordan last weekend.

Farhad Majidi is also an injury doubt meaning Ghotbi looks set to rely on a domestic-based squad and UAE-based trio Iman Mobali, Javad Kazemian and Mehrzad Madanchi as Iran look to move four points clear of second-placed Singapore with two games remaining.

"The players must not underestimate Jordan because we must get another win and increase the gap at the top of the group. We want to qualify for Doha 2011 early," said Ghotbi.

"Jordan could be dangerous as they will be playing at home and in front of their fans. Our mission is not going to be easy and if we don't win, the group will be wide open."

Winless Jordan need to pick up three points at King Abdullah International Stadium to move within a point of third-placed Thailand to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Coach Adnan Hamad will be without striker Mahmoud Shelbaieh who was sent off in Tehran last weekend, while frontman Abdalla Deeb is a doubt.

"We have lost the previous match and that means that we have only one option in this game, we must go on the attack and get a win which will get us back into contention," said the Iraqi coach.

"We have tried to focus in the training sessions that we had recently on the attacking performance. I hope that the players will follow the instructions and score from the chances that they will have."


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