Busy times ahead for Iran

AFC - Iran hope to maintain the momentum gained by winning a place at next year's World Cup by embarking on a busy schedule over the next few months.

Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic has mapped out a string of foreign tours for his team, who beat Bahrain on June 8 to book their place at their first World Cup since 1998.

Ahead of their final Asian Qualifier against Japan on August 17, the team will have a two week stint in England and a three-day training camp in Hong Kong.

The Japan away clash will be a mere formality for both sides, comfortably at the top of the group and mathematically certain of qualifying.

"In Britain we want to give our reserve players a chance to be tested," Ivankovic said. In England, Iran are expected to play friendlies against Millwall, Queens Park Rangers and Portsmouth.

The coach, in his second spell as Iran coach, also said they would play a home game against Libya on August 26.

"We will have two games per month in September, October, and November," he said, promising a full schedule would be released next month when the fixtures are confirmed.

"In May 2006 we will begin our final training, a month before World Cup," he added.

Iran made their World Cup debut in Argentina in 1978, but failed to progress beyond the first round. Twenty years later they qualified for the World Cup in France, where they scored a memorable victory against the United States.

Ivankovic has already spelled out his vision for Iran in Germany, asserting his side could provide plenty of trouble for bigger sides.

The coach also shrugged off criticism that Iran's veteran captain, 35-year-old Ali Daei, was not fit to play.

"I do not agree with these criticisms," he said.

"World renowned coaches are looking for players like Daei, and my only hope is that Daei keeps his enthusiasm for the next year," he added.