Official urges media to support national football team

IRNA - Presidential Advisor for Press Affairs Ali Akbar Javanfekr here Monday urged the sports media to support the national football team despite its two defeats at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The Iran football team showed a disappointing performance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, suffering a 2-0 defeat against Portugal in Frankfurt on Saturday after losing 3-1 to Mexico in its Group D opener earlier last week.

"All teams participating in the World Cup are not supposed to win and become champions," Javanfekr told IRNA.

He called on the press to highlight the fact that many countries did not even qualify for the World Cup competitions.

"The national football team have problems. The press should help settle these problems through constructive criticism." In Saturday's match, the Iranian players had several spectacular opportunities to score goals but missed all of them.

Portugal's two goals were scored by Deco in the 63rd minute and Christiano Ronaldo in the 80th minute off penalty.

Last Sunday, Iran fought back brilliantly in the first half to peg Mexico to 1-1 at the interval in the opening Group D clash.

Iran were the livelier team at the start and came close to scoring in the 12th minute. But in the second half, Iran's blunders opened advantages to the Mexicans.

Mexico capitalized on a big defending blunder of Iran in the second half to demolish Iran 3-1.

"By creating a negative sports climate, the Iranian nation will be even more disappointed. The sports press should be cautious in this regard," the advisor said.

He called on all press and media people to give special attention to the need to fully implement justice and kindness whatever the demand of the people, the system and government may be.

Javanfekr is currently on a two-day visit to the southwestern province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari to meet with its governor general.