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DOHA — The task is clear for the United States: beat Iran in a politically charged FIFA World Cup match tonight or go home.
The match kicks-off at 9pm (Zimbabwean time). US players have been praised as the best generation of American football. But they finished third behind Canada and Mexico in World Cup qualifying and now face a must-win final group-stage match.
“The most important thing is that we control the outcome of our journey in this tournament with the last game against Iran,” midfielder Weston McKennie said. “So the next thing is just to go out and get three points against Iran.”
A draw or a loss would eliminate the Americans, who tied Wales 1-1 and England 0-0. England lead the group with four points, followed by Iran with three, the US with two and Wales with one.
“We got to win the game,” midfielder Gio Reyna said. “We’re not really thinking about anything else, just three points and then we’re through.” Iran famously beat the US 2-1 in a 1998 World Cup match in France that eliminated the Americans and caused thousands of flag-waving fans to greet the Iranians when they returned home. — AP
Online Reporter