Iran ‘aiming for 2011 championship’

PTV – DOHA, Iran’s head coach Afshin Qotbi has said that the national team’s main goal is to present the Iranian nation with the 2011 Asian Cup title.

“On this road [to championship] it does not matter who our next rival is,” the Iranian manager said during a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s match against the United Arab Emirates.

The White Jerseys won their first two matches against defending champion Iraq and North Korea and secured their spot in the knockout stage as the first team of Group D with six points.

Iran should take on the runner-up of Group C, which would be South Korea.

The result of match against the UAE has no impact on Iran’s status in Group D. The battle between Iraq, with three points, and North Korea, which has one point, would identify the runner-up of the group.

“We are the first team that qualified to the quarterfinal. I hope to get all nine points and get ready for the next round,” Qotbi said on Tuesday.

“Iran has players that can play in every match. We use players that can help us in every game and get the required results,” he said when asked about sending substitutes for the Wednesday’s match.

Three-time champion Iran won the tournament in 1968, 1972 and 1976.