Peiravani pays tribute to Iran senior team coach Queiroz’s influence

AFC – ISA TOWN, Amir Peiravani paid tribute to the influence of senior national team coach Carlos Queiroz as Islamic Republic of Iran qualified for the finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 for the first time in 16 years with victory over Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-19 Championship Bahrain 2016 on Monday evening.

Reza Jafari scored a goal in each half to give the Iranians a win that takes them into the semi-finals of the continental championship and ensures they take one of the fourth berths available at the competition in Korea Republic next year.

And head coach Peiravani thanked the former Real Madrid and Portugal head coach for the impact he has had on football in Iran since taking over as national team coach five years ago.

“It’s been a long time since the Iranian U-19 team could go to the World Cup, we’ve had good players but we haven’t had the chance to go,” said Peiravani. “Today, I wanted to change my players’ mentality so we could succeed.

“This success isn’t just for me, this success is for the coaches who are working with all of the teams in Iran, the U-16s, the U-19s and U-23s at all of the clubs and all over Iran. This success I dedicate to my colleagues who have helped me in this job.

“It’s especially for the instructors who have taught me and I would like to give special thanks to Carlos Queiroz, the head coach of the national team. So many times in our meetings he was with me and he helped me to change the programme and to bring success.”

Jafari gave Iran the lead after just 13 minutes and, although the Uzbeks dominated possession for what remained of the first half, Jasur Abduraimov’s team were unable to break through.

A second goal for Jafari less than two minutes into the second half left Uzbekistan with an uphill task and, despite pushing for a way back into the game, the well-drilled Iranians kept their opponents at bay.

“I apologise for our result today, and maybe Iran deserved this win because they scored two goals,” said Abduraimov.