Iran A Competitive Team in World Cup: Carlos Queiroz

Iran has been drawn in Group B along with Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

“Iran's plan is to be a competitive team that tries to play to win for 90 minutes. We are aware that the change for us will be very big before the game against Spain. In our qualifying matches we had the ball 60 or 70% of the time, but before them we have to make the team aware that this is going to be just the other way around,” Queiroz was quoted by the Spanish sports paper Marca as saying.

“We will need a change of mentality to face that. Our greatest adversary will be inspiration. Why make a specific plan against Iniesta when [David] Silva, Isco, [Marco] Asensio or [Gerard] Pique might appear? We can't think of individuals. The first thing is to be well prepared and then work on special situations of each game. We must perceive in each game where problems might come from,” the Portuguese added.

“Our group is very difficult. Even the most complicated. But our attitude is clear: face things, move forward and always improve. That is the goal of Iran. Our classification was very good, with a very consistent team sensation. Our challenge is to leave the World Cup with a better, more competitive Iran and to honor the shirt,” Queiroz added.

Asked him is it good that the first match is against Morocco, Queiroz said, “Yes. The two favorites face each other in the first match and that is better for everyone, because Spain and Portugal aren't going to play just to pass, they will do so to be world champion. Morocco and Iran will play to be in the last 16.”