Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Captain Javad Nekounam insists Iran would face an “impossible” task to challenge for a record-equalling fourth AFC Asian Cup title this month in Australia without Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz. Click here for Nekounam's flash interview
The future of the former Portugal and Real Madrid coach had been in doubt following the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where Iran drew numerous plaudits especially following their heartbreaking 1-0 defeat by eventual finalists Argentina.
But with Queiroz set to take his place in the dugout for Sunday’s opening game against Bahrain in Melbourne in Group C, Iran are in the hunt to add to the hat-trick of AFC Asian Cup titles won in 1968, 1972 and 1976.
“We look at the Asian Cup game-by-game, so we are going to make sure we perform to our best in each one of the games. We are going to do our best, and I think if we have good results and are able to win one of the medals, for sure that is all because of our coach Carlos Queiroz, because without him this would have been impossible,” said 34-year-old Osasuna midfielder Nekounam.
“What is extremely crucial for us is to have this coach in our country and in our national team and because of that we now have a fantastic team spirit and a very high united attitude that dominates the team.”
Iran are now Asia’s number one ranked side having also drawn with Nigeria and lost to Bosnia & Herzegovina in Brazil.
Team Melli, though, have only reached the quarter-finals at the last two editions of the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 and 2011 while finishing third in 2004.
“The World Cup has now finished for us. The quality at the World Cup is much higher than at the Asian Cup, but what we did in Brazil in front of very big teams we are hopeful that we can do it again in Asia to prove to ourselves that we have enough capabilities to be a good footballing nation in Asia,” added Nekounam.
“In Asia there are only two or three favourite teams, the rest of the teams stay at the same level, but we have a very big task ahead of us and the very big task is to make sure we can prove ourselves completely in Asia.
“The first game is extremely important and extremely valuable for us and we are hoping to start this tournament with a good victory.”
Iran have endured a mixed history against Bahrain in recent years having suffered a 3-1 defeat in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier before winning 6-0 in the third round qualifiers ahead of the 2014 tournament.
“I played in 2001 and 2011. Each game has an expiry date and those games are in the past and it doesn’t have an importance for me or the team,” said Nekounam, who made his international debut in 2000.
“For this game, none of these games are going to be important for us as we look at it game-by-game.
“Those games are in the past now and are part of history, but if you go through the history books, the titles and prestige of Iranian football is incomparable compared to Bahrain.”