Iran well prepared for World Cup, Ghoochannejhad says
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Loading...Tehran Times – LIEGE, Iran football striker Reza Ghoochannejhad says the team is well prepared for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
Iran booked a place in next year’s FIFA World Cup following a dramatic final round of group matches in the Asian qualifying competition in June.
Iran beat South Korea 1-0 in Ulsan thanks to a second-half goal from Reza Ghoochannejhad, meaning Carlos Queiroz’s team finished top of Group A.
Victory saw Iran reach football’s premier competition for the fourth time in its history, having previously played in the first round of the 1978, 1998 and 2006 tournaments.
“We want to prove ourselves against the best. Iranian players will not travel to Brazil as tourists. It doesn’t matter who will play at the World Cup, Brazil or Argentina. We will do our best to advance to the knockout stage,” Ghoochannejhad said during an interview with BBC broadcasted on Saturday.
“I am not crazy but I believe that Iran can qualify for the next round. I am sure the things will go well for our country at the World Cup,” he added.
Ghoochannejhad made his debut against South Korea in October.
“It was very good. We defeated Korea in front of 100,000 spectators. It was an important match because we needed all three points. The victory helped us to pave the way for the World Cup,” Standard Liege striker concluded.
