Sport | Football
Iranian national soccer team gear up to play UAE
The Iranian senior national soccer team held a training session on Monday night at the Al Wasl Club to prepare for the UAE match in the World Cup Qualifiers on Wednesday at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
- By Sayed Ali, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:29 November 17, 2008
Dubai: The Iranian senior national soccer team held a training session on Monday night at the Al Wasl Club to prepare for the UAE match in the World Cup Qualifiers on Wednesday at the Al Maktoum Stadium.
The Iranian team arrived on Sunday and held their first training session on the same day at the club. Iran, who share the top of group B with four points with South Korea, Saudi Arabia and North Korea, who also have four points, will be looking to clinch the three points to stay on the top on their way for a fourth World Cup appearance.
"The match against the UAE will be one of our toughest, since they have nothing to lose and desperately need all three points to qualify for the finals," said Ali Daei the Iran coach.
"We must control the game by programming and presenting a rational and well-organised performance to pave the way for the Iranian side to qualify for the 2010 world cup in South Africa," said the Iranian coach.
Iran defeated Qatar 1-0 in a warm-up match held in Doha on November 9 as final preparation for the World Cup Qualifier against the UAE tomorrow.
Gulam Reza Rezaei scored the Iranian goal 16 minutes before the end.
Iranian striker Mehrzad Madanchi will not feel strange when he plays in the Al Maktoum Stadium in the Al Nasr club, because he has trained and played many matches on the same ground wearing the Al Nasr colours.
Madanchi said that the match would not be easy for both teams.
"I know the UAE players, their team include many talents and can make things difficult for us. The match will not be easy. I hope we win the three points which is very important for us in this period."
The Iranian team will hold its final training session tonight at the Al Maktoum Stadium, the venue for the match.
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Football
Goal rush expected at Beach Soccer World Cup
A total of 970 scored in four editions
Sport Editor's choice
-
Agassi's book reveals lies he 'can't live with'
It turns out Andre Agassi was lying throughout his career.
-
Inside the mind of Pacman
In the ring with Manny Pacquiao to see what makes this boxer tick
-
Ajtebi's phenomenal assent
The former camel jockey was at the peak of his powers when upstaging Garret Gomez
