Queiroz hails Iran players’ mental resilience
IRAN head coach Carlos Queiroz praised his team’s mental resilience after their 2-0 win over Wales in Group B of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Friday.
Stoppage time goals by Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian saw Iran bounce back fabulously from their opening 6-2 defeat to England.
The win means a draw for Iran against the United States on Tuesday will seal their place in the knockout stage for the first time with the Americans on two points following their goalless stalemate with England on Friday.
“I think it was a wonderful day for us - we’re back to football and I don’t have the words to say thank you to our players,” said Queiroz, who is leading Iran at a third straight FIFA World Cup.
“This was an opportunity to rebound... to get back to credibility, to show the football we have inside our souls and in our minds.”
Cheshmi, whose goal in the 98th minute sparked scenes of delirium among the Iran players, said the “solidarity” of the team enabled them to win.
Rezaeian scored three minutes later to make sure of the three points and spark celebrations on and off the pitch at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.