Portugal's Scolari warns against underestimating Iran

IRNA - Portugal's Brazilian head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday warned his team against underestimating group D opponent Iran.

Asked in an interview with the kicker sports magazine whether group D is an easy group, Scolari responded, "Oh no, I am warning against underestimating any team. We must not concentrate only on Mexico. We must also respect Iran and Angola and enter the matches with full concentration."
Scolari added Portugal was "among the best eight teams" in the world.

The Portuguese trainer viewed Brazil, Argentina, Italy, England, Holland and Germany as the top contenders for the 2006 World Cup title.

Regarded by football experts as a secret favorite for this year's World Cup crown, Portugal plays its opening game against Angola on June 11 in Cologne before traveling to Frankfurt for a match against Iran on June 17 and an encounter with Mexico on June 21 in Gelsenkirchen.