Iran will qualify for world cup

Dubai - Croat manager Branko Ivankovic is certain that his side Iran will book a berth in the finals of 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"Iranian players' flair and performance have made me so sure and make such a prediction," the trainer told Al-Bayan, a daily published in Dubai, Monday.

He added frequent matches against Jordan and Qatar have helped Iran broaden its experience.

"I started my work with the aim of making Iran's national football squad ready for the event three years ago and now the team has a high-level performance," said Ivankovic.

Iran lies in the 20th spot in the latest FIFA rankings, boasted the Croat and added, "My players are young and will surely improve their performance in the coming years."

Ivankovic said Iran will play a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Jan 21 and another friendly before important world cup qualifier with Bahrain in Manama on Feb 9.