Tactical discipline key for Team Melli

Iran, Saudi Arabia and Japan have all won Asia’s most prestigious tournament three times but Team Melli have not tasted success since 1976, although an opening 2-1 victory over Iraq in Group D has ignited hopes that the 2011 edition may see them end their barren run.

That triumph was built on a sound defensive performance as they came from a goal down to edge out their neighbours and Ghotbi underlined it is that approach that can see Iran succeed in Qatar.

“I personally prefer to play very attacking football and I always believe that if you control the match and keep the ball, you can make chances and score goals,” he said.

“I also believe that to win championships you have to defend well from the top and every player has the responsibility defensively. We build a team that can defend from all positions and attack from all positions.

“Our goal is always to stay organised in front of the ball, behind the ball and the speed that we organise is key to success in modern football.

“Top coaches, coaches that are successful and are winners, look at the pool of players that they have and try to create a team that uses the strengths of their players. What you see is, I believe, a team that uses the strength of Iranian players while also understanding what it takes to succeed in international football.

“In almost every position there is strong competition but that’s a good problem to have. We will try to start with the 11 that are in the best form. I think to be champions of a tournament it takes a certain level of mental toughness, discipline, being able to recover and have the necessary depth in your team.

“I think our players are up for the challenge and that by gaining three points, they can reach their target which is getting out of the group.”

Iran face DPR Korea at Qatar Sports Club Stadium on Saturday, a foe Ghotbi is well acquainted with.

“With the Iranian national team, I’ve faced North Korea twice in the last 20 months, I saw all three of their games at the World Cup live, we’ve followed all the matches on television and DVD so we have a very good understanding of their mentality, about their tactical tendencies,” he added.

“I’m confident that if we can execute our tactical plan, we can earn our three points.”

Of slight concern for Ghotbi, however, is that some of his players have been suffering from a minor bout of flu, though it is not expected to affect his team selection for the game against DPR Korea.