Team Melli in Asian Cup with specific motive

Tasnim – TEHRAN, Iran national football team is coming into the AFC Asian Cup with a specific motive, to win its fourth championship.

Iran last won the Cup in 1976, when the Persians themselves were the hosts.

‘Team Melli’ is the second most successful side in the AFC Asian Cup history with three championships and will look to lift its fourth one after a 43-year wait.

To do that, however, Iran will have to first face one of their closest rivals Iraq, rising Southeast Asian giant Vietnam, and surprise package Yemen in Group D.

With a FIFA top 30 ranking, and two back-to-back World Cup appearances in hand, Iran is one of the best sides in Asia.

Led by former Real Madrid and Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz, Team Melli almost achieved a historical feat at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Fox Sports Asia reported.

Drawn alongside heavyweights Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, Iran was faced with a tough challenge. In the end, the Asian giant finished third in the group, accruing four points from its three games. Both Portugal and Spain finished just one point above Iran to seal their places in the knockout stages of the competition.