The meeting of “Team Melli” and Amakhosi in the second leg of the Persian Football Tour Southern Africa will make history. It is the first time Iran will play in South Africa and it will also be Chiefs’ first match against a team from the Asian Football Confederation.
The friendly will be played in Bloemfontein at 4pm, with gates opening at noon. The first leg of the Persian Football Tour saw Iran play to a 1-1 draw with Botswana in Gabarone on Saturday.
Iran are aiming to gain match-sharpness ahead of the resumption of qualification for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, while Chiefs, who romped to victory in the Premier Cup at the weekend, are looking to prepare themselves for a gruelling domestic season that will see them complete 30 league fixtures in less than seven months.
“This is an important game,” said Vermezovic. “We want to play well and see where we are on tactical and physical points.
“This is a real test for my team who played well in Port Elizabeth (in the Premier Cup). During this week we will have more practices and prepare our team for a higher level of competition.”
Iran’s coach, Amir Hossein Peyravani, speaking through a translator, said he expected a tough test from Amakhosi.
“I’ve watched Kaizer Chiefs on television and I was impressed by them,” he said. “We are expecting a hard game.”