Daei expects ‘hardest ever match’

AFC - Iran striker Ali Daei, the first player to score a century of international goals, has warned that the 2006 World Cup qualifier with Japan in Tehran on Friday will be "one of the (team's) hardest ever national matches."

Daei came in for criticism for his display in Iran's opening 0-0 away draw with Bahrain in Group B which put them two points behind Japan who edged DPR Korea 2-1 with a last-gasp goal from Masashi Oguro.

But the talismanic Daei is urging the team to put that disappointing start behind them and stand tall against Japan in the Group B encounter.

"It is going to be one of the (team's) hardest ever national matches and we have to be patient in the game - (but) we are superior to them in every way," Daei told the Iran media.

"Japan are not coming here to lose. We should not underestimate them."

Daei believes that a victory will put Iran in a strong position to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he used to play his club football.

"If we beat Japan (at home) it will be downhill run to the finals," he said.