Ali Daei Impressed by Carlos Queiroz’s Performance at Team Melli

The current team, though, looks set to create its own piece of history as victory in front of home support at Azadi Stadium will guarantee successive appearances at the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

“We are so close to the World Cup; in recent years Carlos Queiroz and his colleagues have done so much for Team Melli,” Daei, who starred at both the 1998 and 2006 tournaments, told the-afc.com.

“I think he has brought discipline and determination to the national team, but one of the most important things he’s done is bring in so many young players and changed the major players of the team."

“I have a very good relationship with him and always support him. He’s come to my team’s training at times; I love people who are trying to help our national team and he is one of them," Daei noted.

Daei first appeared at the FIFA World Cup in 1998 when Iran picked up its first-ever win at the competition following a 2-1 victory of the US in Lyon.

“I’m impressed by so many different players [in the current team],” said Daei. “I look at them as a team and not individual players because we have a defense line and an attack line.”

“We are one of the best sides in Asia, along with Australia, because we haven’t lost against any Asian teams in recent years. I hope if we qualify for the World Cup then we can get to the second round for the first time. In front of so many fans it’s so hard to play for away teams but for our players it makes them feel great to play there,” added Daei.

“It’s very difficult for the visiting teams and I’m sure on Monday we will beat Uzbekistan and qualify for the World Cup,” Daei concluded.