Queiroz: Iran to face an African team in March instead of Russia

Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, Carlos Queiroz shared his plans in regards to Team Melli’s World Cup preparations with local sports journalists in a press conference in Tehran today.

In regards to the dispute with the league officials and coaches about the national team’s preparation camp in April, the Iran boss again urged to finish the league season as early as possible.

The Portuguese also expressed his wish to have a meeting with officials from Iran’s Asian Champions League participants in order to finalize the deal that all domestic World Cup hopefuls should join a first camp on April 20 and thereby miss up to three Champions League matches.

Talking about Iran’s friendly match plans, Queiroz insisted on playing teams with similar playing styles as Iran’s World Cup opponents Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Meanwhile he explained it would not be of importance if the test match opposition would be World Cup participants or not.

Good news were announced in regards to the FIFA matchday in March, which was occupied with an Asian Cup qualifier versus Kuwait. After both teams have already qualified, Kuwait’s football federation agreed to reschedule the now meaningless game, thereby making space for a friendly match on March 5, which Queiroz wants to use for a friendly match against an African side.

Reportedly Guinea and DR Congo have been indentified as suitable opposition.

Queiroz also confirmed early rumoured interest of Russia to face Iran in a friendly encounter, but explained the proposal has been rejected due to Russia not playing similar to any team in Iran’s World Cup group.

“South Korea have played 11 friendly matches this year and scheduled seven more until World Cup”, Queiroz told the reporters.

“If you have 18 games to play, you have a lot of options. But if you have only four friendly mathches to prepare for World Cup, you have to play the right teams”, the former Real Madrid coach said in regards to Iran’s non-existant preparations so far and public criticism towards him for rejecting some friendly match proposals from attractive opposition.