Coach plays down Iran's poor finishing

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KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 19 (AFP): Coach Amir Ghalenoei is pleased with the way his team is attacking if not the finishing as Iran gear up for an Asian Cup quarter-final with South Korea here Sunday.
Iran hit the woodwork four times but only netted twice against maligned Malaysia on Wednesday to finish top of group C and remain unbeaten in the tournament.
The three-time champions dominated possession but only had a 29th-minute penalty from Javad Nekounam and a late Andranik Teymourian goal to show for their grip on the match against the Malaysians.
Ghalenoei played a 4-4-2 formation yet despite overwhelming possession Iran failed to punish the tournament whipping boys, who conceded 12 goals during the championship.
Iran downed South Korea 2-1 in the second of their three straight Asian Cup final victories in 1972 and overall have three wins and two losses against the North Asian giants in the tournament.
This will be their fourth consecutive quarter-final match against the Koreans at the Asian Cup.
Iran are seeking their first Asian Cup title in 31 years after beating Bahrain 4-2 in the third place playoff at the 2004 tournament in China.
Should Iran get past the Koreans they have the incentive of a likely semi-final here against Iraq, who they last beat 1-0 in the group phase of the 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon.
"We're always thinking about it and considering these matters. But football is like chess and you have to be careful in every match, Ghalenoei said.
The triple-champions have not won the Asian Cup since 1976 -- before the brutal 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.
Iraq take on Vietnam in a quarter-final in Bangkok Saturday.
South Korea reached the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday, finishing runner-up in group D behind Saudi Arabia.