Sputnik - Iran forward Reza Ghoochannejhad said on Tuesday that fasting during Ramadan was not affecting the team's training for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup.
"Ramadan does not really affect training. Football is a sport that requires a special approach due to a lot of physical activity, so we have had a bit of a break. We have three important matches ahead, including a key game against Morocco, which will be almost a final for us. So we are now focused only on training for [these] three group stage matches," Ghoochannejhad told journalists.
Iran, who were the first team to arrive in Russia, held their first training session earlier on Wednesday at their base camp in Bakovka, just outside Moscow, ahead of this summer’s tournament.
Ghoochannejhad added that the pitch and facilities at the Bakovka training base were in very good condition and the team was staying in a positive state of mind.
"Morocco are one of the best African teams and a very strong opponent. It's going to be difficult with them, but we are going to show our best qualities. We are in a very strong group, but we will not give up," the 30-year-old player said.
Iran have been drawn in Group B along with 2010 World Cup winners Spain, reigning European champions Portugal and Morocco.
They will play Lithuania in their final pre-World Cup friendly in Moscow on Friday.