TEHRANTIMES - Iran’s Ferydoon Zandi has said farewell to the national team after Albania warm-up match in Turkey on Sunday.

The 33-year-old player met Iran coach Carlos Queiroz after the match against Albania and said he wanted to quit the football team.

“I think the national team needs the younger players to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. I wish all the best Queiroz and the Iran players in the competitions,” the Esteghlal midfielder stated.

Iran is scheduled to begin the second round of its World Cup Qualification against Uzbekistan on June 3 in Tashkent.

Carlos Queiroz’s team has been grouped with South Korea, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Lebanon in the final round of Asian World Cup qualifying round and need to finish at least in second place to directly qualify for Brazil 2014.