Football

Queiroz pleased with Iranian players’ output ahead of England clash

Iran are making their third successive appearance in the FIFA World Cup when they compete in Qatar. As they establish themselves on the world stage, coach Carlos Queiroz is amazed at how the players have delivered given their circumstances. 

Carlos Queiroz

Team Melli takes on the challenge of England in their Group B opener and the gulf between the two sides cannot be greater. Queiroz, who is well versed with the English setup given his years at Old Trafford, admits this. 

The 69-year-old admitted that Iran’s group members have vastly greater resources at their disposal. However, he has indoctrinated his players to not feel smaller than their rivals.

The former Real Madrid and Portugal coach also believes that given the resources at Iran’s disposal, the players have impressed him with their output. He admitted that the Three Lions will be favourites in Al Rayyan but if Team Melli plays to their strengths, they can upset their rivals.

“The most important thing is not to make the other teams bigger than they are and we cannot be smaller than we are,” Queiroz told BBC Sport.

“I have worked in many countries, worked with many great players – I have never seen in my life players who deliver so much with so little.”

“I try to play to my strengths all the time against you and I will try to protect my fragilities all the time against England,” added Queiroz.

“We don’t have any problems understanding that England are the favourites. But that is only theoretical and from the analysts’ point of view.”

Iran will need full concentration

This is Queiroz’s second stint with Iran, whom he coached from April 2011 to January 2019. In the process, he claimed the accolade of their longest managerial reign. It has been a fruitful journey as three World Cup qualifications have been accumulated in this period.

Team Melli’s defensive solidity came to the forefront in Brazil and Russia. While qualifying for the latter, they went 1,121 minutes without conceding a goal. They adopted a similar approach this time around, conceding just four times since the Portuguese’s return.

Queiroz shared that Iran cannot rest on their laurels and will have to start anew. He wants his charges to be concentrated on the task at hand and should be determined to stick to their plans without the ball. 

Persian fans will be matching the energy of the Three Lions at the Khalifa International Stadium. Such is his belief that Queiroz does not just want to meet their expectations but exceed them.

“When people say ‘you play very solid, very defensive’ – no we need full concentration, full determination and to be organised when we don’t have the ball. That’s the way we should play the game because we don’t have easy guys in front of us,” added Queiroz.

“The important thing is to know that sooner or later they will not have the ball. We should play the game when we don’t have the ball with a winning mentality.

“The expectations of fans are not higher than the expectations we have. We have powerful expectations. We don’t need the fans, the press to tell us.”


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