World Cup 2014: Passionate Iran seek second round spot

Abu Dhabi: Iran might be heading to Brazil as Asia’s top-ranked nation, but they are plagued by political and financial crises. They have surprisingly been given a cold shoulder by the government and that makes them a side that is clearly underprepared for the mega event.

They should have played as many friendlies as possible in the run-up to the tournament — and against good opposition — but Iran’s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz hasn’t been able to arrange that. However, despite the lack of adequate support, Queiroz has managed to chalk up a few friendlies against low profile teams before taking on Trinidad & Tobago in Sao Paulo eight days before their Group F opener.

Despite all this, Queiroz, who is leading Iran to their fourth World Cup but will step down after the tournament, has always been placed under constant scrutiny over his tactics and team selection.

This time around they do at least have a good opportunity to advance to the last 16 for the first time. Apart from favourites Argentina, they have also been drawn against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Nigeria, so a three-way battle for second place is expected.

Captain Javad Nekounam has a wealth of experience, as he has figured in more than 130 international matches since making his debut 14 years ago. The 33-year-old midfielder is known for his all-round abilities, but will have to play out of his skin to see his team to success.

Andranik Teymourian is another powerful midfielder and will provide good support for skipper Nekounam.

Scoring goals has been a worry for Iran and forwards Reza Ghoochannejad, who emigrated to the Netherlands as a child and now plays for English second-tier club Charlton Athletic, will have to rise up to the occasion if Iran are to reach the second round.

Former Real Madrid and Portugal boss Quieroz recently said: “We have limited resources, we have some issues in our preparations but the federation makes a lot of effort to give the best to the players and the team. In the last three years, despite all the difficulties, Iran has shown the number one most important thing in the football world — passion.”

Group F
Fifa ranking: 37

Ahmadi; Beikzadeh, Hosseini, Sadeqi, Montazeri; Nekounam, Teymourian, Heidari; Shojaei, Dejagah; Ghoochannejad

Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig/GER), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan Isfahan), Alireza Haqiqi (Sporting da Covilha/POR)

Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal), Hashem Beikzadeh (Esteghlal), Mehrdad Pouladi (Persepolis), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft Tehran), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal SC/QAT), Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan Isfahan)

Midfielders: Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan Isfahan), Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad), Javad Nekounam (Kuwait SC/KUW), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan Isfahan)

Forwards: Khosrow Heidari (Esteghlal), Karim Ansarifard (Tractor Sazi), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton Athletic/ENG), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC/NED), Masoud Shojaei (UD Las Palmas/ESP), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham/ENG)

Argentina
Nigeria
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Beat Maldives 5-0 in aggregate in the second round, topped Group E in the third round and won Group A in the fourth round — impressively finishing above South Korea.

First Tournament: 1978 (in Argentina)
Appearances (before 2014): 3
Best finish: Group stage (1978, 98, 2006)