FIFAWORLDCUP - President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad has said Iran have the ability to reach the second round in
this summer's FIFA World Cup™ and go on four years later to be among the
top four sides in the world.
"You can be the surprise team in the 2006 World Cup and make it to the
second round," Ahmadinejad was quoted as telling the national squad
during a surprise visit to a training session on Tuesday.
"We are expecting our team to be among the world's best four teams in
the World Cup 2010. It is not out of reach. We must conquer the summits
and hoist Iran's flag on the top since the prayers of 70 million
Iranians are with you," said the president, who was decked out in
football kit.
Iran kick off their FIFA World Cup campaign against Mexico in Nuremberg
on 11 June with further group games against Portugal and Angola.
