Iran can end Asian Cup title drought: Dejagah

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Iran midfielder Ashkan Dejagah believes that Team Melli can end their 43-year title drought in the AFC Asian Cup.

The last of Iran’s three triumphs in the AFC Asian Cup was in 1976, meaning that it will be 43 years since Team Melli last won the title by the time the action in UAE 2019 kicks off next January.

Team Melli have been drawn with Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen in Group D.

“We did well in the 2018 World Cup and narrowly missed the chance to reach the knockout phase. Since then, the Asian teams consider us as the favorites to win the title in Asian Cup. We also think it’s time to end the title drought. We want to do our best in the competition and make the Iranian people happy,” Dejagah said.

“Contrary to Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea, we faced lack of infrastructure. But we don’t care about these problems and will fight tooth and nail to win the title,” he added.

“Australia, Japan, South Korea as well as some Arabian teams are favorites to win the title,” the former VfL Wolfsburg midfielder concluded.