Invankovic sets ground rules as Iran coach

Sportalasia- Branko Ivankovic was unveiled as Iran coach on Thursday morning and the Croatian held no punches as he revealed his plans for the national side in the coming months.

Ivankovic confirmed he has signed a one-year contract with the Iran Football Federation, and while he is aware of the contract saga between the federation and former coach Miroslav Blazevic, he said it is time for the nation to close the episode and look forward to the future.

"I knew that coming here would not be easy, especially after the events which happened in the last period," said Ivankovic, " I had my own particular problems at the time too, which I still have. But I have to do my job. This is a good chance for me to prove myself. I have no fears and I will be successful with your support.

"Last year there wasn't enough time to make principle changes to the National Team. Now we have enough time and will surely do this. The Federation and I have reached agreement regarding this project.

"We have two aims. One is short term and one long term," explained the coach who was assistant to Blazevic during Croatia's successful foray at the 1998 World Cup Finals, "We need to rebuild the national team from scratch and we must give younger players more opportunities. We will try to use the players from the age range of 21-23 more, so that the national team will have a reliable backup."

Ivankovic also added that he will not tolerate any ill-discipline within the Iranian camp as he laid down his scope on what he is looking for during national team selection.

"Players who want to play in the national team must possess three characteristics. High physical and mental capabilities, a very good imagination and most important of all, respectful behaviour and good manners.

"Each player is an ambassador from Iran and must follow the strict code of traditional, good behaviour. He must be aware of his relationship and manner with other players, the technical staff, the National Team officials, reporters and ordinary people. No one can play in the National team without this."

With the Asian Games due to start in Busan, Korea later in the year, Ivankovic said he intends to use the tournament as the platform to rebuild the team as he strives to prepare a formidable team to challenge during the 2006 qualifying.

"Our short term intentions are at the service of the long term aims. The first short-term goal is the Busan Asian Cup, and then we'll try to be successful in the preliminary Olympic games in Athens. Next we'll prepare ourselves for the All Nation Asian Cup. All this is in preparation for success in the qualifiers of World Cup 2006, I hope."