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.


 

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