Win over USA in '98 still inspires Iran

AP - Iran's victory over the United States at the 1998 World Cup still serves as inspiration to the team taking part in this year's tournament.
"It is one of the games that we can never forget," said Mehdi Mahdavikia, who scored the final goal in the 2-1 win.

Then, as now, Iran was facing a tense political situation, and the victory - the only one by any of the four Asian teams in that tournament - was seen as a boost to national morale.

"Fortunately, we won that match. Despite all the sensitivity surrounding it, there was no conflict on the field," the 28-year old Hamburg defender said Wednesday.

Mahdavikia, who was voted Asian soccer player of the year in 2003, has been sidelined with a back injury since last month. But he said he was feeling better and would be ready for Iran's opening match in Group D against Mexico next Sunday.

Sasa Jankovic, the Iranian team doctor, confirmed that Mahdavikia would be fit for Sunday's game.

The only other problematic player is Kaiserslautern midfielder Ferydoon Zandi, who still has not recovered from a slight fever he picked up last week, Jankovic said.

Although Zandi ran laps during Wednesday's session, he did not take part in a practice game.

The match against Mexico is seen as crucial for Iran's chances of reaching the second round, something the team did not achieve in its two previous World Cups in 1998 and 1978.

"Mexico is a very offensive team, with aggressive players," Mahdavikia said after a training session attended by hundreds of cheering fans in this southern German city. "That team is really good."