Queiroz issues Iran rallying cry

AFC Asian Cup – MELBOURNE, Carlos Queiroz has called on Iran to treat Sunday’s AFC Asian Cup Group C opener with Bahrain as a final, with the much-travelled Portuguese coach insisting the three-time champions are now fully prepared for the meeting at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Iran are ranked as the number one team in Asia, although having only played two friendlies since returning from an encouraging FIFA World Cup, Queiroz had raised doubts over Iran’s chances of finally adding a fourth continental title to the hat-trick of crowns won between 1968 and 1976.

But following training in both Sydney and Melbourne which included a friendly win over Iraq last weekend, an upbeat Queiroz is now eyeing a successful start to Iran’s record-equalling 13th AFC Asian Cup appearance.

“We’re going to play this game as if it is the Asian Cup final, and for the moment, our full concentration is for the team we play tomorrow,” said Portuguese coach Queiroz following Iran’s final training session at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Saturday.

“We have our expectations and our motivation and we are ready to compete. We are going to try and do our best to finish the game and win the game against a very good team that is Bahrain.”

Prior to last Sunday’s 1-0 win over Iraq, which was secured thanks to a first half strike from highly rated forward Sardar Azmoun, Iran had only beaten Korea Republic by the same scoreline in Tehran in November having drawn with Nigeria and lost to both Argentina and Bosnia & Herzegovina in Brazil.

“The preparation since we have arrived has been fantastic,” added Queiroz.

“We are ready to compete and fight. We have a big soul, big mind, big heart and we are ready for tomorrow.”

Iran’s outing in Melbourne represents their first game in Australia since ending the Socceroos’ 1998 FIFA World Cup hopes in 1997 when Khodadad Azizi’s late strike at the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground earned the visitors a crucial 2-2 draw in what was then an intercontinental play-off.

The meeting also brings back memories of previous high-profile matches with Bahrain, most notably FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2001 and 2012.

“It will be difficult against Bahrain, we have a tradition of big games, that’s football and that’s why this is the beauty of the game,” said Queiroz, who saw his side beat Bahrain 6-0 at home during the third round of qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“All the teams come here with good expectations and huge dreams and we’re no different from the other teams. Our approach is only to be focused on the next match. We put all our concentration and our energy into the next match.”