Dhaka, Oct 16 (IANS): India will face a stern test against formidable opponents Iran in their opening game of the 2015 Asian Football Confederation Under-16 Women's Championship qualifying campaign at the Bangabandhu Stadium here Friday.
Iran whipped United Arab Emirates 9-0 in the first game of Group B Wednesday with striking duo of Fatehmeh Geraeli and Fetemeh Ghasemi scoring four goals each and the Indian defence will face a tough task of containing their opponents' strike force.
"The two are really good strikers. We have to be very careful against them. They are very alert and pounce on any loose ball," India head coach Maymol Rocky said Thursday.
The coach refused to chalk out any special plans for the duo but expressed concern about Iran's swift movements down the flanks.
"We don't have any special plans for them. We just need to hold fort and not let them get the better of us in one-on-one situations. They depend a lot on their movement down the flanks and hold the ball well too. We must not lose focus. Our girls are confident of delivering," she said.
Iran coach Shadi Mahini, however, denied they were the stronger side and said that it was India who were the tournament favourites.
"I said Wednesday that India are favourites," Shadi said.
India and Iran both employ a 4-4-2 formation.
India are clubbed with Iran, Bangladesh, Jordan and UAE in Group B of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-16 Women's Championship 2015 qualifiers.
Bangladesh defeated Jordan 1-0 in another game of the group Wednesday.