Winning Asian Cup trumps Golden Boot for Porto's Taremi

The Porto predator was the leading marksman in Portugal's league last season, netting 22 times as his team narrowly missed out on the title to Benfica. He has been less prolific this season, but along with Roma forward Sardar Azmoun is leading the charge for Iran, who are among the favourites in Qatar.

"Becoming the champion of the tournament is much more interesting," the 31-year-old Taremi said Thursday. "I don't have the time to think about becoming the top scorer or not." Taremi - who averages better than a goal every other game in more than 70 appearances for his country - described this Iran side as the "most united" in recent years.

They started their hunt for a record-equalling fourth continental crown with a 4-1 win over Palestine, though Taremi was not on the scoresheet. Qatar's Akram Afif is the current leading scorer with three goals from two games as the hosts and defending champions eased into the next round with a match to spare.

Hong Kong are familiar opponents for Iran after three meetings in World Cup qualifying over recent years, all won by Iran. Taremi had a goal and assist in November's 4-0 home win against Jorn Andersen's Hong Kong, the lowest-ranked team in Qatar.

But after a creditable 3-1 loss to the United Arab Emirates in their opener, Andersen said their fans would see "another Hong Kong team to the one we saw in Tehran".

 

January 18, 2024