Carlos Queiroz: “I want Portugal and Iran to move forward”

Eurosport – RADES, The Iranian national team coach, Carlos Queiroz, expressed to Efe his wish that Iran and Portugal are the two teams that advance to the round of 16 in the next World Cup in Russia.

In an interview given to Efe on the eve of the first serious preparation match, the Real Madrid coach admitted that the Spaniards are also among the favorites for the title.

Question: Iran is one of the great teams in Asia, which has won practically all its rivals. What is your secret? Why is it still being treated as a great unknown?

Answer: In general Asian football is not always present in the news unless you talk about Japan or Korea, which have a lot of influence and a lot of communication with the world of football in England, Germany or Europe in general.

Iran is a country that is not on the list of press priorities but the work it has done over the past few years I think it deserved a little more (attention).

– Q: Iran face Tunisia and Algeria . How is the preparation of the World Cup?

– A: We always have many difficulties during preparation. There are some issues for which we are always fighting, such as financial difficulties or relations with other countries that sometimes are not easy with Iran, but we always try to do our best and with our colleagues look for solutions to prepare the team.

We are going to play with Tunisia, with Algeria, with Turkey, which is very good for us and, even if it is not in the World Cup, everyone knows that it is very strong. In addition to Greece and Lithuania. We are better than in the last World Cup, where we practically do not play with anyone.

– Q: The month before the start of the World Cup coincides with the month of the holy fasting of the month of Ramadan and the first match with Morocco, it will be the great Muslim festival of Aid. How does this affect preparation?

– A: It has some peculiarities but they are very experienced players and it is not the first time they go through an experience like this. There are cultural and religious solutions that allow it to be done and we are going to implement the solutions.

– Q: The Arab and Persian press have referred to their group as the group of death, how do you see it, who do you bet?

– A: It is not a secret to anyone that Spain and Portugal are the favorites, and that Morocco and Iran are going to try to run out and do their best. It is very difficult to know if we are going to move forward.

What I do know is that Iran will be there, then there will be Spain or Portugal or Morocco I do not know. They will be the ones who will decide it. I do not want to choose, although it is clear that I want Iran and Portugal to move forward. If Iran happens, I do not care who the other team is.