March 29, 2024

Iran Drawn into the Strongest Group – Vingada

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TehranTimes – LISBON, Former Team Melli Omid coach Nelo Vingada believes Iran was drawn into the strongest possible group in the Asian Cup. Although a difficult task, he is confident Queiroz’s squad can manage and make the Quarter-finals.

Former Iran U-23 coach Nelo Vingada believed that Team Melli will face an uphill task to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final.

The Iranian football team will meet Bahrain in its opening match on Sunday at the Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne.

“Iran has been drawn inside the strongest group of the first stage of Asian Cup 2015. Even Iran, the team with best FIFA rankings, will have hard job to qualify for the quarter-final; however I am optimistic that Carlos Queiroz and Iran football players will manage that,” Vingada said in an interview with TeamIran.net.

Asked who will win the title, the 62-year-old coach said, “I think Australia is a strong candidate to win the title since the team is playing at home and that’s a great advantage for them. But Japan, Iran and South Korea are also running to be champions.”

Iran has been drawn in Group C of the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification along with Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Palestine, and Afghanistan.

“Iran and Saudi Arabia are the strongest teams in the group but Palestine is also growing up and could be a rival for the two teams. Nepal and Afghanistan are weak teams. Anyway, my prediction is that Iran will advance to the last 16,” the Portuguese coach said.