It8217;s do or Daei for Iran

Thai security forces went on full alert today after a second day of strikes against Iraq and ahead of the final, although they said there was no indication of trouble.

8220;The anti-terrorist units have been ordered onto full alert, especially to provide security for Kuwait and Iran,8221; said major general Banchorn Chavalsilp.

Iran and Kuwait, the newly-crowned Gulf champions seeking to go one better than they have ever done before, will also have to deal with tomorrow8217;s expected start of the month of Ramadan as they vie for the Asian Games title.

In 1990, when they were just emerging from 10 years of bloody war against Iraq, the Iranians stunned the Asian football world with a gold medal victory over NorthKorea.

This time, they have a squad fresh from playing in the World Cup finals in France, led by Bayern Munich striker Ali Daei, scorer of seven goals so far at the Asian Games. With their 2-1 victory over the United States, Iran were the only one of four Asian teams in France to notch a win en route to first-round elimination.

Iranians, stung by a humiliating 4-2 defeat at the hands of tiny Oman, came back to beat China 2-1 in a second-round group game.

They did it again in the semifinals by beating China 1-0.

The Kuwaitis, silver medallists in 1982 and bronze medal winners in the last games in Hiroshima, stuttered and stumbled through the second round and quarter-finals.

Their goal machine of Jassem al-Huwaidi and 19-year-old Farj Laheeb had stalled until they came up against a generous Thai defence in the semifinals and ran out 3-0 winners as Laheeb took over as tournament8217;s top scorer with his 9th goal.

But they may be without the injured Al-Huwaidi in the final and the Iranian defence, withMohammad Khakpour likely to be back after missing the semi-final, will be a much tougher proposition.

Ali Daei has looked head and shoulders above any other striker in the tournament, while Khakpour8217;s ability to turn defence into attack has been watchable feature.

Kuwaitis will also have to find a way of controlling the Iranian midfield general Karim Bagheri who is capable of taking over game.

Nevertheless, they have the weaponry to worry an Iranian defence in which centreback and captain N Mohammadkhani has often looked vulnerable to the kind of speed Laheeb provides. The Kuwaitis also have another of the tournament8217;s best midfielders in bader al-Halabeej and a well-organised defence which has not given away many goals.