TEHRANTIMES - Iranian international striker Reza Ghoochannejhad believes that Team Melli have to take every opponent serious in order to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

“Each game in the World Cup qualification road is important and we must not underestimate small teams. In the first step towards next World Cup we will face Turkmenistan which is not an easy opponent. Before that we will play a friendly match against Uzbekistan which is a simulation match for Turkmenistan game,” Gucci told in an interview with Tasnim News Agency.

“We have to get a good result in the preliminary qualification round. In the previous World Cup qualification campaign we struggled against Lebanon and Qatar and we faced difficulties in the final matches especially against South Korea. This time we will try our best to qualify for the World Cup more easily,” Ghoochannejhad added.

The 28-year old also insisted that he has not received any offer from an Iranian side as he doesn’t want to play in Iran Pro League.

“I have just heard it from the media. It’s all about newspapers and transfer rumors. I have not received any offer from Iran and that is just for Team Melli every time I come to Iran. I am still under contract with Charlton so I have to return to England as soon as possible,” he added.

Iran, who is preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage, will face Turkmenistan in its first step towards the tournament.