Iran will play Bahrain on Tuesday in Group E of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
“Hopefully, we are the happy team after the final whistle tomorrow. We want to qualify for the next round as the first-place team and must beat Bahrain in our home game,” Nekounam said during a pre-match news conference at the Azadi Sports Complex on Monday.
“The Iranian players always want to beat the Bahraini football team. We haven’t forgotten their nasty behavior in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers,” he added.
Bahrain’s players hoisted the flag of Saudi Arabia after they beat Iran 3-1, paving the way for their neighbor to advance to the 2002 World Cup.
“The fans must believe in their players. They must support us to help us defeat our opponent. Some of Bahrain’s players always try to cheat the referees, but we know how they play,” Nekounam said.