‘Iran Knows How to Play in World Cup’
TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Iran national football team's winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh says they know how to play in the 2018 World Cup.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, AZ Alkmaar player says they have been drawn in the toughest group in the FIFA World Cup along with Portugal, Spain and Morocco but they are determined to make Iranian people happy.
"Obviously this is the toughest group in the World Cup, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s show time and we have nothing to lose. All three teams have a lot of quality and are top class, though I don’t think we are an easy opponent,” Jahanbakhsh explained.
"We know how to play and our coach will have us ready. The World Cup is a tournament where you can just be positive about it; we will do our best to make our people happy,” he added.
During the official 2018 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony at Kremlin State Palace in the Russian capital city of Moscow on December 1, Iran’s Team Melli joined the Portugal national football team, nicknamed A Selecção, Spain’s La Furia Roja and Atlas Lions of Morocco in the preliminary round of the tournament.
The host nation, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay form Group A in the upcoming quadrennial international sports event.
France is drawn in Group C, and is pitted against Australia, Peru and Denmark.
Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria are drawn in Group D.
Group E consists of Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.
While the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea shape Group F, Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England are in Group G.
Group H has Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 14 to July 15. Russia will open the event against Saudi Arabia in a Group A fixture at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA.com, AZ Alkmaar player says they have been drawn in the toughest group in the FIFA World Cup along with Portugal, Spain and Morocco but they are determined to make Iranian people happy.
"Obviously this is the toughest group in the World Cup, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s show time and we have nothing to lose. All three teams have a lot of quality and are top class, though I don’t think we are an easy opponent,” Jahanbakhsh explained.
"We know how to play and our coach will have us ready. The World Cup is a tournament where you can just be positive about it; we will do our best to make our people happy,” he added.
During the official 2018 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony at Kremlin State Palace in the Russian capital city of Moscow on December 1, Iran’s Team Melli joined the Portugal national football team, nicknamed A Selecção, Spain’s La Furia Roja and Atlas Lions of Morocco in the preliminary round of the tournament.
The host nation, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay form Group A in the upcoming quadrennial international sports event.
France is drawn in Group C, and is pitted against Australia, Peru and Denmark.
Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria are drawn in Group D.
Group E consists of Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.
While the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea shape Group F, Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England are in Group G.
Group H has Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 14 to July 15. Russia will open the event against Saudi Arabia in a Group A fixture at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities.