World Cup 2022

Group B, Match 2-  ENG vs IRA

Preview 

England will begin their 2022 World Cup campaign on Monday as they take the field against Iran. The Group B fixture is set to begin at 06:30 PM IST at the Khalifa International Stadium. The three lions have been in stupendous form in big tournaments in the last few years. They made it to the semis in the last edition of the showpiece event before reaching the final of the Euro 2020. Gareth Southgate's England, however, have been in disarray recently, having failed to win any of their past six games. Injuries have also hampered them, with important players missing the event. James Maddison's fitness is being questioned among the current crop.

Meanwhile, Iran will be aiming to bring their A game on Monday and brush aside the star studded English side. They are in a tough group and have a herculean task of advancing through to the next round. Iran will also be a little concerned over the fitness of their star forward Sardar Azmoun. Iran, ranked 20th in the world, will know that a win over England will put them in excellent stead to advance further in the competition. With England as their hardest opponent in the group stage, Carlos Queiroz's team will be looking to establish their dominance.

Gareth Southgate's England, however, have been in disarray recently, having failed to win any of their past six games. Injuries have also hampered them, with important players missing the event. James Maddison's fitness is being questioned among the current crop. Iran, ranked 20th in the world, will know that a win over England will put them in excellent stead to advance further in the competition. With England as their hardest opponent in the group stage, Carlos Queiroz's team will be looking to establish their dominance.

Match Details

Match: Group B, Match 2: ENG Vs IRA, World Cup 2022

Date: 21 November 2022

Time: 06:30 PM  

Venue: Khalifa International Stadium

Key players

ENG: Harry Kane has consistently been England's finest player and top goal scorer in most international competitions. He has been in excellent form for Tottenham this season, with 13 goals to his name

IRA: Porto's best chance for the competition is striker Mehdi Taremi. The 30-year-old has already scored 13 goals in Portugal and has been a steady provider of goals for the national side. He should be a force to be reckoned with inside the box, and his performance will be crucial to Iran's chances.

Probable Playing XIs

ENG: Jordan Pickford; John Stones, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Luke Shaw, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane 

IRA: Alireza Beiranvand, Sadegh Moharrami, Mohammad Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Shojae Khalilzadeh, Ehsan Hajsafi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Ahmad Nourollahi, Vahid Amiri, Mehdi Taremi; Karim Ansarifard.

Match Prediction 

The Three Lions are entering the competition following a disastrous UEFA Nations League season in which they failed to win a single game and were eventually demoted to League A. However, given their talent and propensity to perform better on larger platforms, they should defeat Iran in the opening game. Despite their status as underdogs, the Asian titans are expected to put up a fight.

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