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ISNA -Iran-Venezuela friendly meet scheduled for June 6 was canceled.

Director of the International Committee of Iran Football Federation (IFF) Abbas Torabian confirmed the press report, saying that, "the match was cancelled because the elimination competitions lasted so long and Queiroz believes that players should not be tired and they need to rest."

"He says, we intend to prepare a strong team melli ---national team--- and players should have time to rest," Torabian quoted Queiroz.

Also concerning any planning with Queiroz ahead of agreement with Venezuela on the soccer match, Torabian said, "the coordination had been made, but now the schedule undergoes some changes. Off course Iran-Madagascar competition remains fixed and its agreement will be signed soon."

Iran's match with Madagascar and Venezuela are the first competitions since Portuguese Carlos Queiroz has accepted to coach the Iranian team.

Carlos Queiroz of Portugal has signed a contract to coach Iran through to the end of the 2014 World Cup.

Queiroz who has acted as the Real Madrid boss took over from Tehran-born US national Afshin Ghotbi, whose contract was not renewed after Iran was knocked out of the 2011 Asian Cup by South Korea.

The 57-year-old twice former Manchester United assistant boss was most recently coach of Portugal, whom he took to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Iran began its quest for a fourth World Cup after appearances in 1978, 1998 -- when they memorably beat the United States 2-1 -- and in 2006, when they play the Maldives in their opening qualifier on Wednesday.

Iran competes with Madagascar on July 17.
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