PLDC - Tehran, Iran's national football coach Carlos Queiroz, who showed great passion for his team before, during and after the heated clash with South Korea, had many things to say in an informative interview.

Queiroz expressed that he is happy because Team Melli was able to bring joy to the people of Iran.

Regarding the South Korean coach's psychological war tactics, Queiroz said, "Choi created an unusual situation before the match. In the 34 years that I have been in football, I hadn't seen such things. He was talking about blood and war before the match and this was very unusual. He wanted to provoke our players with his words but in the end his plan backfired."

He continued, "It was also weird that the Korean football federation was silent about this whole matter. The Iranian federation wrote a letter to the Korean federation but they never responded. The Koreans had also put large posters of Choi all over the place, even one in our locker room. This was really strange because the Koreans always show respect to their guests, but they treated us with utter disrespect."

Team Melli's coach also said, "We went there so we could celebrate qualifying for the World Cup with the Koreans, but their complete intention was to eliminate us."

Queiroz also confirmed that he will stay with Team Melli til the end of the World Cup.

In a response to Choi's 'blood and war comments', Nekounam had said that he would not only give blood but if it comes down to it, he would also give his life for his country. Carlos Queiroz praised the Team Melli captain's brave words and he said that Nekounam's reply was perfect.

Queiroz also said, "It is not important how you start a competition, but how you ended. What he did was not easy, and it couldn't have been done by just anyone.  I would like to thank the team, Mr. Kaffashian and the federation."

When asked about former Team Melli starters (Rahmati and Aghili), he responded, "The most important things in a team are discipline and order. In professional football no one is higher than the team. With all due respect to these former national team players, we have 25 players that played and practiced with their heart and soul. Those former Team Melli members have lost their chance and this is a lesson for new players who join the team."

Carlos Queiroz also stated that he agrees with the Iran Pro League downsizing from 18 to 16 teams as this insures more potent and stronger squads.

He ended the interview by saying, "I would like to thank everyone who helped us on this journey thus far, and now we have to start preparing for the World Cup."

By: Arman Tamjidi