Iran team ‘elated’ ahead of Asian Cup

PTV – DOHA, Iranian head coach Afshin Qotbi has said that his players are prepared to face the challenges of 2011 AFC Asian Cup, which will start in Qatar next week.

“Fortunately, the players in the Qatar’s camp are in high spirits and they have strong motivation,” he said on Friday.

Team Melli, which is in Doha for preparation for the continental football festival, was held to a scoreless draw by Qatar in a friendly match on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the White Jerseys defeated Qatar’s Army 7-0.

The three-time champion Iran is in Group D of the tournament, which runs from January 7 to 29, with the United Arab Emirates, North Korea and Iraq.

Qatar will take on Uzbekistan on January 7. Both teams are in Group A along with Kuwait and China.

The Iranian squad is scheduled to meet defending champion Iraq on January 11 in its first Group D encounter.