IKOLI VCITOR
DOHA
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz is looking forward to Friday’s match against Wales after their opening-game thrashing by England.
Iran was defeated 6-2 by England in their first game, and anything less than a complete victory will spell doom for Iran.
Queiroz told a press conference, “Everyone knows that our first game did not go as planned, but the World Cup begins today for us. We have two games scheduled. We only have six points to fight for.”
On the status of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand who has been sidelined due to concussion protocols following a collision with teammate Majid Hosseini in Monday’s game, Queiroz said: “Day by day, test by test, everything is moving all right and we are happy with that situation but, due to the fact that he was involved in an incident that is related to concussion, there is a medical protocol that we need to respect.
“There is no way to move around the protocol. He will not play tomorrow, but he will be ready for the last game.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s top striker Mehdi Taremi said the players were not under any pressure after refusing to sing the national anthem during their game against England.
“I said that I don’t want to talk about political issues, but I can give you a very short sentence in response to your question because I respect you,” Taremi, who scored both Iran goals against England, said.
“No, we are not under any pressure. The fact is that we have come here to play football. Not only us, but all the players who are present in Qatar have come here to play football.
“I cannot change anything; thousands of other people like me cannot change anything.”
When asked if he had a message for the Iranian protesters, Taremi, speaking through an interpreter, replied: “Whatever I say here will have no effect anywhere. Sorry, I’m not going to elaborate on what was reported.”
Queiroz said he had no problem with political questions, but that Iran was being asked more than their fair share.
“You asked if I think it’s fair that they sometimes ask us questions,” Iran’s Portuguese coach responded.
“It’s your right to ask those questions, but as a normal citizen of the world, I find it strange that you don’t ask the same questions of other coaches and national teams, knowing that they have so many problems at home and cause so many problems all over the world.”
