AFC - Iran coach Branko Ivankovic denied on
Wednesday that Team Melli is under any sort of pressure for their next game
against Portugal.
Iran lost their opening Group D encounter to Mexico 3-1, leading to intense
criticism in the Iranian media about Ivankovic’s tactics and his
inflexibility regarding the line-up.
“My players are under no stress,” said the Croatian coach. “We are
continuing our training as usual and we will give our best.”
Ivankovic said the defeat was purely due to personal mistakes. “Mexico are
the Group D leaders and they are fourth in the FIFA rankings, the only team
to beat Brazil in the last two years. When I reviewed the second half
video-tape (of the match) with my players we found out that the two goals
were because of personal mistakes, lack of concentration and physical
strength.”
The 53-year-old coach strongly defended his player selection policy. “I
don’t agree with you about Ali Daei and Yahya Golmohammadi. We also have to
see the condition of our opponents. Mirzapour (Ebrahim) is at his best
goalkeeping age.”
