By Masoud Hossein

Iran should be thankful for World Cup draw

December 6, 2017 - 2:3

Iranian coach Carlos Queiroz says that regardless of group the team is in during the 2018 World Cup, the competition is a serious opportunity for Team Melli to improve their competitiveness.

Iran will face Morocco in the competition’s opener in a must-win game because the Asian giant know that Spain and Portugal are teams to beat, however, nothing is impossible in football.

Spain, a World Cup winner, and Portugal, European champions, couldn't be better for Team Melli since the Persians can measure themselves against the best in the west.

Iran and Morocco are well aware that their first match could be decisive, but they will be forced to put aside their own unique defending styles in the World Cup qualifications in the first match.

Queiroz says to be drawn with his homeland Portugal and Spain is very emotional and special and it seems he is completely right.

Queiroz was sacked by Portuguese Football Federation in September 2010 and seven months later he took charge of Team Melli.

Needless to say, it will be a golden opportunity for the Mozambique-born mentor to prove himself because he has a good knowledge of Fernando Santos’s team.

Furthermore, World Cup could be an ideal launchpad for his greater ambition of being appointed as a greater team.

Queiroz has already worked in Spain as Real Madrid coach in 2003-04 and he is no stranger to Spanish football and it is another privilege to him in group stage.

Finally, Group B is a tough group for the Iranian team, who have never gotten past the group stage in four World Cup appearances, but the group can be helpful for the country’s future.