IRIB - Veteran midfielder Khodadad
Azizi here Monday said Iran will beat Bahrain in 2006 world cup
qualifier to forget the bitter loss in 2001.
Bahrain surprisingly thrashed Iran 3-0 in Manama in 2001, denying Iran a
berth in the finals of 2002 Japan/South Korea world cup as it was beaten
by Ireland 2-1 on aggregate in the two-legged playoffs.
Iran will meet Bahrain in the capital city Manama on Feb 9.
Azizi added Iran will take a major stride toward world cup finals with a
win over Bahrain in the first leg.
"Bahrain now plays football more professionally than they did in 2002
and Iran should be alert," warned the nimble midfielder adding "Bahraini
footballers shone in Asian nations cup in China, showing they have made
good progress in recent years.
"No doubt, Bahrainis will wage psychological war against Iran in Manama
with the aim of extracting point (s) in their last-stage world cup
qualifying match."
Azizi scotched the rumors that he has quit national squad, saying, "I
had to undergo physiotherapy as the team doctor prescribed. I resumed
training last Sunday."
Iran will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly in Azadi stadium in
western Tehran Wednesday.
Asked about the friendly, Azizi said, "it is a good test for our
players. I hope Iran will defeat the Bosnian side and line up against
Bahrain with high spirits."
Iran vaulted into the 1998 world cup in France thanks to the late goal
scored by agile forward Khodadad Azizi.
