FIFA ranking is not a parameter to judge India, insists Iran coach Carlos Queiroz
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Loading...DNA – BENGALURU, Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz was modesty personified as he made it clear that Indian football team should not be judged by FIFA rankings.
Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz was modesty personified as he made it clear that Indian football team should not be judged by FIFA rankings.
“FIFA rankings are just another Rankings. What matters are the results. I have great respect for India as opponents. And I don’t see the FIFA rankings as a parameter to judge. It is 11 versus 11 on the field tomorrow. Nothing less, nothing more,” Queiroz said at the mandatory pre-match media conference ahead of Iran’s World Cup qualifier against hosts.
He has managed Real Madrid, been a revered assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at the Manchester United, somebody credited to have groomed Cristiano Ronaldo in his formative years, Queiroz is known all over the world for being a sharp football brain.
At the face of it, he did not want to take India lightly. “We are playing against a difficult opponent. We need three points and so do India. It’ll be tough match for both the teams. Our opponents (India) have families, friends and fans, which is the same like us. They also want to win and so do we,” Queiroz stated.
Out of 10 matches played between the two contingents, Iran have registered 7 wins so far while India have garnered only 2 wins with one of them coming way back in 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi. “Playing away in a World Cup Qualifier fixture is always difficult. There are numerous challenges and numerous difficulties. But I expect a fighting attitude from my lads,” the former Real manager quipped.
Even if he is aware of India’s disastrous performances in the past few years, Queiroz decided to speak about positive things. “India have improved in recent times. The score line of the game against Oman was not a fair reflection of what happened on the pitch. India deserved a better result against Guam too,” he added.
Furthermore, Queiroz mentioned about his association with former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia to spread Football in the Grassroots in the Country through Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS).
