Ghotbi aims to end AFC Asian Cup jinx

AFC – TEHRAN, It has been 34 years since Asian football powerhouse Iran last laid their hands on the AFC Asian Cup trophy.

Every attempt after 1976 – when they won the title for the third time at a trot with a 1-0 defeat of Kuwait in front of home fans at the Azadi Stadium – has fallen flat with Team Melli flattering to deceive, all under an intense media glare and high expectations of the fans.

The last edition saw the Iranians top their group with a good performance but heartache was to follow when they fell to Korea Republic in the quarter-finals on penalties.

Now national team coach Afshin Ghotbi has expressed his determination to end the long-running title drought.

“We want to win the title in the AFC Asian Cup,” declared Ghotbi after Team Melli’s first day of training in the Iranian capital.

“This is our first priority and the number of Iranian fans will also increase if we win the crown.”

The axe seemed set to fall on the 46-year-old Ghotbi after the failure of Iran to make the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals but the powers-that-be left him untouched after a chorus of support.

Ghotbi issued a call to the football-mad and vociferous Iranian media to lend a helping hand to the players by ensuring positive coverage.

“We need to create an atmosphere of respect as I want the players to concentrate on football (as the AFC Asian Cup approaches).

“The best example of a team’s failure could be England whose lack of concentration saw them make an early exit from the World Cup in South Africa.

“All the players are normal human beings and sensitive but a positive coverage by the media can boost their confidence,” he said.

Iran will play a friendly against Armenia on Wednesday and Ghotbi believes that the opposition will be strong as the Armenians put up a solid performance against Spain in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

“Armenia lost to Spain 2-1. I believe we will be facing an organised team.”

Iran have been drawn in a tough group alongside reigning Asian champions Iraq, DPR Korea and UAE for the Doha extravaganza.