Nike give Iran the boot to turn their preparations upside down
CARLOS QUEIROZ is facing disaster after Iran’s preparations for today’s Group B opener against Morocco descended into farce. First Nike stopped supplying his team with boots because of US sanctions on the country, forcing players to buy their own or borrow from team-mates back home. Now it has emerged the Iranian FA accidentally printed some numbers on the official kit upside down.
Iran fans already think their team are headed for humiliation in a group containing Spain and Portugal, but they did not expect to also become a
laughing stock. Londonbased elite performance consultant Javid Farahani, whose clients include Fulham and West Ham, said: “Iran bought the kit from Adidas and put the tags and numbers on themselves. But the Federation did not know how to write the numbers and some of them are upside down.
“Queiroz has said he will not renew his contract after this World Cup. He knows it is going to end badly. Most people think we will concede five or six against Spain. We are worried we won’t be able to cope – and Queiroz will get the blame.”
Queiroz has become a hate figure for many fans. He is the nation’s longestserving manager and the first to lead them to consecutive finals but the former Manchester United assistant upset supporters of Iran’s two biggest clubs, dropping Persepolis legend Jalal Hosseini and Esteghlal’s Vorya Ghafoori, a national hero.
Iran legend Mehdi Mahdavikia says today’s game is a must-win and feels Alireza Jahanbakhsh, a £22million target for Brighton, gives them a glimmer of hope. He said: “Jahanbakhsh will shine as he had a great season with AZ Alkmaar in Holland. He is a world-class player and I hope he can contribute.” While Queiroz has also led South Africa and Portugal at the finals, Morocco’s French coach Herve Renard is making his World Cup bow.
“I’m a beginner,” he said. “But we are not here to take pictures of the monuments in St Petersburg. We are here to compete. We’ve been working and observing for over six months, we’ve been deciphering all of Iran’s matches for the past two years.”