Huh Jung-moo's Group B-leading side are scheduled to face the second-placed Middle Eastern country ― which is just two points behind in the World Cup qualifying group ― in Tehran on Feb. 11.
The national team is seeking to secure a seventh straight World Cup berth. Korea has posted a hard-fought 8-5-8 record from its 21 games with the regional powerhouse.
But, Korea, which is ranked 42nd in the FIFA rankings, has not defeated the 46th-placed Iranians on the road.
It is one of three rivals among the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members that the 2002 World Cup semifinalist has not overcome in international competitions, alongside Australia and Saudi Arabia, which hold 7-8-5 and 5-6-4 records against Korea.
Although those numbers do not favor the Taeguk Warriors, manager Huh appears determined.
``We have never won in Iran. Football has some jinxes, but we will overcome it against our opponent,'' the 53-year-old said after his team's practice at the National Football Center (NFC) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday.
Late last year, the Korean squad ended another long-lasting winless stretch against Saudi Arabia.
They defeated the Middle Easterners 2-0 in another qualifying match in November, grabbing their first victory since 1989, when it won 2-0 in a 1990 World Cup qualifying match.
Before ending the dismal run, Korea had compiled three draws and as many losses.
``My players have trained hard for the Iran match. Iran, which has a good chemistry, is powerful and skillful,'' Huh said before leaving for Dubai.
``Although it will not be easy, we will look to create chances. Every single player believes that they will prevail."
Even rookie squad members are brimming with confidence
``After a two-week-long drill on Jeju Island, we are fit and ready for the game,'' said midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, the youngest player in the squad.
``Prior to the Saudi Arabia match, when Korea had not won for 19 years, we were determined. We will try to come back with a win.''
After the qualifier, the team will play three of their remaining four fixtures at home.
Among the five players in the squad plying their trade in European leagues, FC Krylia Sovetov Samara defender Oh Beom-seok will join the team in Dubai Sunday, while Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Park Chu-young of AS Monaco, Lee Young-pyo of Borussia Dortmund and Kim Dong-jin of Zenit St. Petersburg will join up when the team arrives in Tehran due to club commitments.
Iran's last game saw them held to a scoreless draw with Thailand in a 2011 Asian Cup qualifying campaign Wednesday.