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AFC - As fireworks lit up the Tehran sky and
hundred of thousands of Iranians took the streets of the football-crazy
country waving flags, lighting fire crackers and blowing whistles to
celebrate the country's qualification for next year's World Cup, Branko
Ivankovic, the team's coach, was already turing his mind to the challenges
which lie ahead.
Iran, Asian Cup winners on three occasions and regarded as one of the top
teams in Asia, have not had the happiest of times at their two previous
appearances at World Cup finals, losing two out of three games at France 98
and three out of four at Argentina 78.
Unlike Iran, Brankovic has tasted success at a World Cup final, as assistant
coach to the Croatia team which came third at the 1998 World Cup.
Which makes the 51-year-old Croatian, now in his second spell as Iran coach,
even more determined that his current charges should make the most of their
obvious potential at next year's showpiece.
"We will go to the World Cup to achieve something there, not only to
participate," the coach told reporters after the game.
"Our successful games in our group show that we are going to be an upsetting
team there. We are going to be a dangerous team, not a team that goes to the
World Cup to lose matches.
"Right now we have the best generation of Iranian football players,"
continued the likeable Croat.
"We are a big team, with big stars and, although we will be exposed to a
higher level of competition in Germany, we also have enough knowledge and
experience and with their technique and their power, they are able to turn
against all challengers."
Ali Daei, the Iran captain who has scored more international goals than
anyone in the history of the game, echoed Brankovic's sentiments, could
barely contain his glee at the final whistle.
""This is one of the most beautiful days of my life, because we have made 70
million people happy," said the veteran centre forward.
"After this victory nobody will consider us a second-rate team," he added.
"We're going to the World Cup with the aim of reaching the second round."
Iran's hero on the night was Mohammad Nosrati, who headed home the only goal
of the game just a minute after half-time. Earlier, after four minutes, he
had seen a header crash against the Bahrain post.
"I swear to God that last night I dreamed of this goal, " said the Pas
player.
"After my first shot hit the post I was afriad God did not like me. But when
I scored, my dream came true."
Millions of Iran fans across the country and indeed across the world will
have similar sentiments.
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