Iran football team to play four friendlies
TEHRAN, April 25 (Mehr News Agency) -- Iran national football team will play four friendly
matches ahead of the must-win game against North Korea in the 2010 World Cup
qualifiers.
Afshin Ghotbi
Iran is scheduled to play North Korea on June 6.
The team is fourth in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in Group Two with six
points, behind North and South Korea and Saudi Arabia respectively.
"We are going to beat North Korea in Pyongyang so we have to get ready for the
vital match," Afshin Ghotbi told reporters on Saturday in a press conference.
"We will hold two warm-up games in Tehran. Our rivals have yet to be confirmed.
Iran will play China in that country, and also play a friendly match against a
Chinese club," the newly-appointed coach added.
Karimi one of the Iran's best, Ghotbi says
TEHRAN, April 25 (Mehr News Agency) -- Newly-appointed Iran football coach Afshin Ghotbi said Ali Karimi will most likely be invited to the national team.
Ali Karimi
In a news conference at Iran's Football Federation on Saturday, Ghotbi said, "I
have always praised Ali Karimi. He is one the best Iranian footballers. I will
invite him to the team if he is on course."
"We have three vital matches and experienced Iranian players, namely Javad
Nekounam, Masoud Shojaei, Andranik Teymourian, Ferydoon Zandi, Mehdi Mahdavikia
and Vahid Hashemian, can help us get back on track," Ghotbi stated.
Iran is scheduled to play North Korea on June 6. The team is fourth in the 2010
World Cup qualifiers in Group Two with six points, behind North and South Korea
and Saudi Arabia respectively.
... Payvand News - 04/25/09 ... --
