However, Pasha Hajian of Iranian football podcast Gol Bezan said this was not an issue that made the news in Iran.

“There has not been much of talks from the Iranian football federation or the media in regards to the situation in Hong Kong. I certainly believed it would be a hot topic, but ironically no news,” he said.

“I would assume Iran would have wanted to play Hong Kong elsewhere so there won't be any political disruption prior to the match. Iran has its own internal political issues as well and we are prone to these difficulties.

With the game going ahead as planned, Hajian said Hong Kong may have a chance on the pitch with Team Melli having slipped up in the past by failing to take seriously.

“In our past history, Iran has sometimes tend to “underestimate” its opponents. I highly doubt this will be the case as our new manager is keen to start the World Cup qualifiers with a win. It is a new era in Iranian football and the players want to impress the gaffer.”

“It was quite disappointing with the way we lost to Japan. Carlos Queiroz devoted eight fantastic years to our country, and it would have been ideal to see him leave with a trophy. This was not the case, but his legacy is forever part of our football. I can't thank him enough for all his work and wish all him the best with Colombia.”

His replacement has a lot to live up to, but he had performed well so far and appeared motivated, said Hajian.

“I have been impressed by Wilmots thus far. He has done a great job of immersing himself with our players and the Iranian footballing culture, which I assure you is quite a difficult task to do as a foreign coach. As his prior spell with Ivory Coast turned out to be a disaster, I am sure Wilmots wants to make a name for himself.”

Qualifying for Qatar 2022 from a group with Hong Kong, Iraq, Cambodia and Bahrain should not prove too problematic for Asia’s No 1 team, Hajian said.

“I believe Iran will qualify for the next World Cup with the players that we have at our helm. Although this may be the case, the Iranian Football Federation needs to start taking the initiative and start organising friendly matches.”

Iran last played in June with a 1-1 draw against South Korea following a 5-0 win over Syria, something Hajian fears could become an issue.

“We won't have a friendly prior to playing Hong Kong. These issues perhaps may cause Wilmots’ departure if he does not get what he wants.”

Mixu Paatelainen’s Hong Kong side will have their work cut out against a team ranked 23rd in the world, 116 places above them.

“A player that I believe will be a key figure for our next generation is Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, who signed for Fenerbahce. We have a new crop of players coming through, but time will tell as their futures unfold with our national team.”

At 18, Sayyadmanesh is the youngest of those and they are mixed in with an experienced squad that includes 100-plus cap Ehsan Hajsafi.

Not even Hajsafi was around when the teams last met in 1988, but the result might end the same. Iran have won four of the five meetings between the teams, and have a 100 per cent record over Hong Kong in competitive games.

Iran squad to face Hong Kong

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Rashid Mazaheri (Tractor)

Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian (Al-Shahania SC), Majid Hosseini (Trabzonspor), Milad Mohammadi (Gent), Vouria Ghafouri (Esteghlal), Mohammadhossein Kananizadegan (Persepolis), Siavash Yazdani (Esteghlal), Morteza Pouraliganji (Al-Arabi), Mohammad Naderi (Persepolis)

Midfielders: Omid Ebrahimi (Al Ahli, Qatar), Masoud Shojaei (Tractor), Ahmad Nourollahi (Persepolis), Ali Karimi (Esteghlal), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Ehsan Hai Safi (Tractor)

Strikers: Ashkan Dejagah (Tractor), Sardar Azmoun (Zenit), Karim Ansarifard (Al-Sailiya), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Fenerbahce), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton)