Queiroz insists Iran players are deserving of world’s recognition
China PR vs IR Iran during their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final Qualification Round Group A match at Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium on 06 September 2016, in Shenyang, China. Photo by Marcio Machado / Power Sport Images
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...AFC – SEOUL, Carlos Queiroz was full of praise for his players after 10-man Islamic Republic of Iran held out for a goalless draw with Korea Republic on the Road to Russia on Thursday as the Group A winners stretched their unbeaten run to nine games.
Having already secured their passage to next year’s FIFA World Cup, Iran went into the sellout game at Seoul World Cup Stadium still with hopes of finishing the Group A campaign unbeaten.
But when Saeid Ezatolahi was sent off seven minutes after the restart the hosts took the ascendency, only for Team Melli to again prove stubborn at the back to keep their opponents at bay and maintain their perfect defensive record of zero goals against.
“It was very tough, I don’t know if it was a great game but it was a wonderful fight,” said Queiroz, who has guided Iran to successive FIFA World Cups for the first time in their history.
“Especially in the second half when they were a man down, I was very proud because it is unbelievable the way we have grown as a team with a sense of togetherness.
“We don’t think about [the unbeaten run], it is only an outcome of our performances. We try to defend well, we try to attack well and when you saw the character of our players today, things become easier.”
In his six-and-a-half-year spell in charge of Iran, Queiroz has also seen his team become the highest-ranked Asian side in the FIFA World Rankings.
The current campaign began with a 2-0 victory over Qatar, with five wins and three draws following as Iran have proven the dominant force in Group A and now sit seven points clear in the standings.
Team Melli will next return to Tehran for their final fixture against Syria on Tuesday and will be looking to round off a memorable year ahead of a World Cup where they will fancy their chances of springing a few surprises.
“They fight for their lives, they fight for history, they fight for their reputations,” added the Portuguese coach.
“I think it’s fair to say that the world should pay a little bit of attention to these Iranian players because with no facilities and no financial support, they are doing so much.
“I’ve never seen players that deliver so much yet receive so little.”
