Enjoy every minute Queiroz tells his players

AFC – COSTA DO SAUIPE, Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has stressed that his players should see it as an ‘honour’ to play at the World Cup finals and embrace the opportunity of playing on football’s biggest stage.

Speaking after the seeing Team Melli pooled in Group F alongside two-time World Cup winners Argentina, tournament newcomers Bosnia-Hercegovina and African powerhouse Nigeria, the former Portugal, South Africa and UAE national team manger said:

“For my players, it should be an honor to play against these rivals and it is important they go out and enjoy every minute of every match, eager to make it to the second round.”

Iran open their 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign on June 16 against Nigeria in Curitiba before travelling to Belo Horizonte to face Argentina at the Estadio Mineirao, Brazil’s second largest Stadium after the iconic Maracana, five days later.

Iran round off their Group F campaign in Salvador on June 25 against surprise qualifiers Bosnia-Hercegovina, who despite making their World Cup debut in Brazil are no strangers to the three-time Asian champions having played on five occasions since 2001.

“The key will be in our preparation. If we work hard, we will have a good opportunity. If not, we won’t be in a position to take our chance,” concluded Queiroz.