AFC - MANAMA, Iran coach Branko Ivankovic is confident of a good result against Bahrain in their World Cup Asian final round match on Wednesday in Manama.
In an interview with Al Osat newspaper, he said that even though a few key players might be missing, he was amazed at the determination shown by the squad in preparation for the Wednesday’s match.
“We defeated Bosnia in a friendly match last week, I am sure we can find our way into the final rounds of the World Cup in Germany next year,” added Ivankovic.
On Bahrain, he stressed that the team has been improving gradually and their performance in last year’s Asian Cup in China (Bahrain finished fourth, losing to Iran in the play-off) is a testament to good work done by Bahrain coach Srecko Juricic.
Another newspaper, Al Bayan quoted Juricic as saying that Iran are one of the best teams in Asia. He referred 2004 AFC Player of the Year Ali Karimi and Vahid Hashemian as the danger men of the talented Iranian team.
In an interview with Al Osat newspaper, he said that even though a few key players might be missing, he was amazed at the determination shown by the squad in preparation for the Wednesday’s match.
“We defeated Bosnia in a friendly match last week, I am sure we can find our way into the final rounds of the World Cup in Germany next year,” added Ivankovic.
On Bahrain, he stressed that the team has been improving gradually and their performance in last year’s Asian Cup in China (Bahrain finished fourth, losing to Iran in the play-off) is a testament to good work done by Bahrain coach Srecko Juricic.
Another newspaper, Al Bayan quoted Juricic as saying that Iran are one of the best teams in Asia. He referred 2004 AFC Player of the Year Ali Karimi and Vahid Hashemian as the danger men of the talented Iranian team.