Iran Needs to Set Up Appropriate Fixtures for World Cup: Ghotbi
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Former Iran national football team head coach Afshin Ghotbi said Team Melli needs to urgently set up appropriate fixtures in the build-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
While Japan and South Korea will start fine-tuning for the World Cup with high-profile warm-ups against Brazil next month, there are concerns in Iran that Asia’s top-ranked team has been slow off the mark with its preparations.
Iran is in Group B with England and the US at the World Cup, which kicks off on November 21 in Qatar. But while there have been reports of a June friendly with New Zealand and talk of a potential match with Canada, so far Iran hasn’t confirmed its warm-up commitments.
“There appears to be no concrete plan,” Ghotbi told AP. “Time is of the essence and preparation is vital to the success of Iran.
“Most teams have already arranged matches and many good opponents are not available any more. Iran needs to urgently set up appropriate fixtures in the build-up to the World Cup.”
