We will not underestimate Oman: Branko

CHONGQING - Studious Iran coach Branko Ivankovic will make certain that his players will not underestimate Oman when the two Group D rivals clash on Saturday, having seen how the youngsters from the Persian Gulf sultanate have matured into one of the most promising sides in the Middle East.

_I have followed this Oman team for the past three years and I have seen just how much they have improved,_ the Croat said of the side that, between July 2003 and July 2004, has risen from 117th to 58th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

_In Busan, at the Asian Games, I saw a very young team but a very promising team and after these years I can see they have improved tremendously,_ he said.

Zico, head coach of Group D rivals Japan, was also witness to the maturation of the Oman players, when his under strength side survived a second half onslaught in their fortunate 1-0 win on Tuesday night.

Midfield general Fouzi Basheer and powerful forward Yousuf Shaaban - just two of Oman's early twenty somethings who caught the eye with their performance in Busan - came agonisingly close to fashioning a well-deserved point.

And it would have been a point that Ivankovic believes would have been entirely warranted.

_I thought that they (Oman) were much better against Japan than they were before in the World Cup qualifier back in February. They gave a really good account of themselves and I would honestly say that they were not a weaker team than Japan.