Wales play Iran in the World Cup in Doha on Friday.
When: Friday, Nov. 25, 4pm BST (1pm local)
Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
KEY STATS
* Wales are looking to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time since 1958 – their last appearance at the World Cup.
* No Welsh player has scored more goals at major tournaments than Gareth Bale, who grabbed his fourth with a late penalty against the United States in their group opener.
* Iran are bottom of the group with the worst goal difference after England thrashed them 6-2 in their group opener.
* Iran have never gone past the group stage and have won only one of their last 11 matches at the World Cup, a 1-0 win over Morocco four years ago.
* Wales beat Iran 1-0 in their only meeting in a 1978 friendly, with Phil Dwyer scoring the winner.
PREVIEW
After earning a crucial point in their opening World Cup match against the United States, Wales return to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday knowing a win over Iran would put them in a strong position to reach the knockout stage.
Wales drew 1-1 with the US on Monday in their first World Cup game for 64 years after captain Gareth Bale rescued the team with a late penalty.
The Welsh are tied for second place with the US in Group B on one point, with England leading the group with three points after thrashing bottom-placed Iran 6-2 in the opening match.
Wales' draw was a result of a change of tactics by coach Rob Page at half-time as he introduced target man Kieffer Moore, who changed the game and brought them back into the contest after they trailed in the first half.
"Lessons have been learned," Page said. "It was important we didn't lose the game.
"We have strength in depth. I can look over my shoulder to the bench and we've got players who can come on and have a real impact on games."
Wales will face a challenge against Iran, whose Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz will expect a turnaround from his players after they limped through a heavy defeat.
Page said, however, he will have to deal with some fitness issues in his squad before Friday's game.
"Before we play Iran, the medical team will have work to do. We have players not playing week-in, week-out, they are cramping up," he said.
"We've got some tired bodies in there so we've got to get a team ready to go again on Friday."
Wales have faced Iran only once, beating them 1-0 in a friendly in 1978.
Iran coach Queiroz will be sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand after he was substituted early on in their opener against England after suffering a nose injury.
Beiranvand collided horribly with teammate Hosseini Majid as he tried to deal with a cross and spent several minutes stricken on the turf having treatment.
Iran are also dealing with issues off the field.
Fans have accused the squad of siding with a state crackdown on the unrest in Iran during which activists say more than 400 people have been killed.
But the players chose not to sing their country's anthem before their match against England in an apparent show of support for protesters back home.