Faraki appointed national soccer coach

Tehran, Feb 3, IRNA -- Hossein Faraki was appointed as the coach of  
Iran's national soccer team Saturday.
According to Iran's Football Federation (IFF), the Committee of Iranian National Soccer Teams installed Faraki as the assistant of newly-appointed Croat Head Coach Branco Ivankovic on February 2.
Faraki was among the main players of national team of the country in 1978 World Cup held in Argentina. 
He has already been the assistant coach of the national side when Jalal Talebi and Mansour Pour-Heidari were the head coaches.
Faraki said he is proud of being among the coaches of national team, adding that he would do his best.
Talking to IRNA, he said the national soccer team belongs to 70 million people of the country and therefore the coaches and players are obliged to make the nation happy by good results.
Following the failure of Iran to book a berth in 2002 World Cup finals, Ivankovic and other coaches are making every effort to turn Iran into a powerful team in Asia, added Faraki.
He asked the mass media to help national coaches achieve this objective by their constructive criticisms and proposals.
Touching upon his cooperation with the Tehrani club, Pas, Faraki said he held negotiation in a meeting with Ivankovic and Ajorloo and Homayoun Shahrokhi, Pas managing director and head coach, Saturday and he would not cooperate with the club any longer and intends to be at  service of the Croat coach.
He expressed his gratitude to officials of Pas for agreeing with his request.