Iran’s football team ready for Syria match

TEHRAN - On Tuesday at Tehran’s Azadi stadium, Iran’s national football team held its last practice before their first match in the Asian region qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup against Syria today.

On January 30, the friendly between Iran and Costa Rica at Azadi stadium ended in a goalless draw. The Iranian national team also went goalless in its three previous World Cup qualifier warmups.

However, Iranian fans hope their team can end the dry spell in the crucial match against Syria.

The top four Asian nations will travel to South Africa in 2010, and a fifth will be able to go if it wins a playoff with the Oceania champion.

Iran will compete against Kuwait, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates in Group Five of the Asian region.

On Monday, Spain’s former coach Javier Clemente, who is expected to finalize his contract with the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) on Sunday as Iran’s new football coach, visited the Azadi Sports Complex and examined the sports facilities there. The Iranian team will take the field against Syria without a head coach as the Spaniard has not yet finalized the contract.