TEHRAN – The 2018 World Cup’s performance has boosted Iran national football team confidence, Team Melli defensive midfielder Omid Ebrahimi says.

Ebrahimi, 31, stole the show in the 2018 World Cup in Russia where Team Melli narrowly missed the chance to reach the knockout phase.

Iran defeated Morocco 1-0, lost to Spain 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Portugal in Russia.

Now, Ebrahimi says the 2018 World Cup has boosted their confidence for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where Team Melli have been drawn in Group D along with Yemen, Vietnam and Iraq.

“We have a difficult task ahead because the Asian Cup has brought so many strong teams together.  However, we can emerge victorious from our matches if we play as we did in the World Cup. I hope we make our people proud in the competition,” Ebrahimi said in an interview with Varzesh3.com.

“I think Australia and Japan are the most powerful teams in this edition. Both teams have the capability of winning the title,” Qatar’s Al Ahli midfielder added.  

Iran were knocked out of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in the penalty shootout against Iraq and Ebrahimi says it’s time to get revenge on them.

“I have not forgotten the defeat and I will do my best in our match against Iraq to take revenge on them,” Ebrahimi said.

Reporting by Masoud Hossein