Iran favourites to participate in Gulf Cup – Ali Daei

MEF -  Iran veteran national team striker Ali Daei is adamant his country is on the verge of competing in the Gulf Cup soon, talking to Abu Dhabi-based daily Al-Bayan on Sunday.

“I am aware Iran will be a tremendous addition to the competition that is gaining much publicity in the Gulf region and all round Asia,” the giants forward was quoted as saying today.

Iran stunned the region last month when they asked the Arab League of Nations to grant them an ‘Observer’ status, the final verdict on this one to be decided next March.

“Participating in the Gulf Cup is a political decision at the first place, and I am convinced people at the higher political echelon in my country will take the participation decision under consideration very soon,” he went on saying.

With Saddam Hussein reign reaching a disastrous end, regional observers are expecting Iran to play a bigger role in the Gulf region as an immediate result of the recent political changes.

“This will only enhance the status of the football game in this part of the globe. The Gulf Cup has been the major platform on which many countries made it to the World Cup finals in the near past, and I can only foresee positive results should Iran decide to take part in it,” he concluded.