Jahanbakhsh hails “best-ever” qualification

AFC – TEHRAN, Alireza Jahanbakhsh has his sights set on reaching at least the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 after the Islamic Republic of Iran achieved a “best qualification ever” following a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Monday.

Iran went into the game at Azadi Stadium unbeaten in Group A and having yet to concede a goal, a record that meant they would advance to Russia with two games to spare if they picked up all three points.

Sardar Azmoun calmed any nerves among the home support when he netted midway through the first half and, after captain Masoud Shojaei missed from the spot early in the second half, Mehdi Taremi finally wrapped up the game with two minutes to play.

It was a fantastic game today, we knew that it was going to be difficult because Uzbekistan needed to win the game,” said Jahanbakhsh, who went off at the interval after suffering a rib injury.

“Now we’ve got to the World Cup but first we’ve got two games left and we want to finish top of the group, so for the last two matches we go 100%.

“We have a really young team and after the next two games we’re going to try and build the team spirit even more because we know the World Cup will be a big difference from qualification.

“Next year everyone has one more year of experience. We’re going to do our best and the goal will be to make it to the second round of the World Cup.”

The victory on Monday meant Iran became the first team from Asia to advance to the FIFA World Cup and, more significantly for the hosts, it is the first time they have ever qualified for back-to-back tournaments.

Jahanbakhsh was part of the squad that went to Brazil four years ago and the AZ Alkmaar midfielder is now relishing the chance to take on the world’s best once more.

“[The first World Cup] was a great experience, but I joined the team after they had qualified,” added Jahanbakhsh.

“But this time I’ve been here since the beginning and it’s a great feeling to win a lot of games without conceding, so I think it was the best qualification ever for our country.

“In 2014 it was a great experience, at the age of 19 I was playing at the World Cup and it was unbelievable, and now it’s the second time so hopefully it’ll be even better for us.”