Iran clinched to drub Bahrain

IRIB - Veteran midfielder Khodadad Azizi here Monday said Iran will beat Bahrain in 2006 world cup qualifier to forget the bitter loss in 2001.

Bahrain surprisingly thrashed Iran 3-0 in Manama in 2001, denying Iran a berth in the finals of 2002 Japan/South Korea world cup as it was beaten by Ireland 2-1 on aggregate in the two-legged playoffs.

Iran will meet Bahrain in the capital city Manama on Feb 9.

Azizi added Iran will take a major stride toward world cup finals with a win over Bahrain in the first leg.

"Bahrain now plays football more professionally than they did in 2002 and Iran should be alert," warned the nimble midfielder adding "Bahraini footballers shone in Asian nations cup in China, showing they have made good progress in recent years.

"No doubt, Bahrainis will wage psychological war against Iran in Manama with the aim of extracting point (s) in their last-stage world cup qualifying match."

Azizi scotched the rumors that he has quit national squad, saying, "I had to undergo physiotherapy as the team doctor prescribed. I resumed training last Sunday."

Iran will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly in Azadi stadium in western Tehran Wednesday.

Asked about the friendly, Azizi said, "it is a good test for our players. I hope Iran will defeat the Bosnian side and line up against Bahrain with high spirits."

Iran vaulted into the 1998 world cup in France thanks to the late goal scored by agile forward Khodadad Azizi.