{"id":28928,"date":"2017-08-30T01:55:29","date_gmt":"2017-08-30T08:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/?p=28928"},"modified":"2017-08-30T01:55:29","modified_gmt":"2017-08-30T08:55:29","slug":"taremi-proud-to-represent-history-making-iran-side","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/2017\/08\/30\/taremi-proud-to-represent-history-making-iran-side\/","title":{"rendered":"Taremi proud to represent history-making Iran side"},"content":{"rendered":"

AFC – SEOUL, Mehdi Taremi has spoken of the immense pride he feels to be part of the Islamic Republic of Iran side that qualified for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 as Group A winners with two games to spare.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unbeaten Iran face second-placed Korea Republic at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday having already secured their place in the competition after a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan in June confirmed a second qualification in a row for the first time in the country\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

And it was Taremi\u2019s goal with two minutes remaining that calmed any end-of-game nerves as Team Melli moved seven points clear of Korea Republic, whose 3-2 defeat in Qatar on the same Matchday leaves them in a major fight to finish in the runners-up position ahead of the penultimate fixture.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore the game my teammate, Karim Ansari, told me that he felt I was going to score, so when I did I ran to the bench to try and celebrate with him,\u201d revealed Taremi.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I couldn\u2019t find him because he was warming up behind the goal, although in the end all the players and staff celebrated together.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were 1-0 up but my goal in the final minutes confirmed the win and our qualification for the World Cup in Russia and, not only that, we qualified for the second successive time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a historic achievement that I was part of and I feel very proud and honoured about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

After making his Iran debut in 2015, 25-year-old Taremi has posted a scoring return of more than a goal every two games as the Persepolis striker has cemented his place in the starting lineup.<\/p>\n

Taremi has now also scored in each of his last three games with match-winning goals in 1-0 wins over Qatar and China also proving invaluable in Team Melli\u2019s march to the World Cup.<\/p>\n

And with Russia-based Sardor Azmoun \u2013 who opened the scoring against Uzbekistan but is suspended for Thursday\u2019s match in Seoul \u2013 alongside him, Iran currently boast a frontline that is sure to be the envy of many on the continent.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince the first day I was called up to the national team, I built a close relationship with Sardor,\u201d said Taremi.<\/p>\n

“I have a good relationship with all my teammates but because Sardor was a closer age to me we became good friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also work with him better on the pitch. I\u2019ve always admired his personality and I like how he plays football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iran have gained many plaudits for their defence, having yet to concede in their eight qualifying games, but Carlos Queiroz’s side have also predominantly relied on Taremi and Azmoun to find the goals.<\/p>\n

Of the eight they have scored, Taremi has netted three and Azmoun two, while the last player to find the back of the net aside from the pair was defender Jalal Hosseini in a 1-0 win in Uzbekistan on Matchday Three.<\/p>\n

So, with Azmoun sitting out the penultimate fixture, will Taremi score for the fourth game in succession and continue to chase down Iraq\u2019s Mohannad Abdulraheem, Saudi Arabia\u2019s Nawaf Al Abed and the UAE’s Ahmed Khalil \u2013 who are all on five goals \u2013 in the race for the top scorer accolade in the Asian qualifiers?<\/p>\n

This is obviously something that is personal and personal things always come second,\u201d insisted Taremi.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe achieved qualification for the World Cup together and it feels great to be going to the biggest sporting tournament in the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course if I score, and I\u2019m going to try to, it will be great for me. But it doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s me or my teammates who scores, as long as we win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photos: Lagard\u00e8re Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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