Photo courtesy: AIFF Media
Dubbing the FIFA World Ranking as a quantitative figure of no importance once the match against India kicks-off tomorrow (September 8) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Head Coach of the Iran National Team, Carlos Queiroz mentioned:“FIFA Rankings are just another rankings. What matters are the results.”
Queiroz was speaking at the official pre-match Media Interaction ahead of Iran’s away clash against India.
“I have great respect for India as opponents. And I don’t see the FIFA Rankings as a parameter to judge. It is 11 versus 11 on the field tomorrow. Nothing less, nothing more!” he added.
“We are playing against a difficult opponent. We need three points and so do India. It’ll be tough match for both the teams. Our opponents (India) have families, friends and fans which is the same like us. They also want to win and so do we,” Queiroz stated.
Out of ten matches played between the two teams, Iran have registered seven wins so far while India have garnered only 2 wins.
“Playing away in a World Cup Qualifier fixture is always difficult. There are numerous challenges and numerous difficulties. But I expect a fighting attitude from my lads,” the former Real Madrid manager quipped.
Giving due to credit to the development in Indian football in recent times, Queiroz expressed: “India have improved in recent times. The score-line of the game against Oman was not a fair reflection of what happened on the pitch.”
“India deserved a better result against Guam too”, Carlos added.
The ‘Iranian Gattuso,’ Andranik Teymourian, Captain of the Iranian National Team who was also present in the interaction imputed India’s football growth.
“I have a great amount of respect for India. Indian Football is on a gradual rise and it will be a good match. We are playing against a team which has nothing to lose tomorrow. I hope may the best team win.”
Furthermore, Queiroz mentioned about his association with former Indian Captain Baichung Bhutia to spread football at grassroots level in the country. Baichung, in fact, is presently the Chairman of the AIFF Technical Committee.
(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)