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Iran eyes consecutive qualification for FIFA World Cup

Xinhua, October 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said that his men are going to book a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the second time in a row, Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday.

"Team Melli's (national team) history shows that despite boasting great players, coaches and presidents, Iran has never qualified for the World Cup games twice in a row," Queiroz was quoted as saying.

"My job, my goal, my mission and my dream is to make this happen," Queiroz said.

The Portugese added, "If we learn from history, in order to make the impossible possible, we should not repeat the same mistakes or misunderstandings from the past."

Iran has been drawn along with South Korea, Uzbekistan, China, Qatar and Syria in Group A of the Asian Zone qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Iran are scheduled to face Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Thursday and will play South Korea five days later in Tehran.

The Iranian striker Reza Ghoochannejhad said that they will have a difficult task against Uzbekistan on the way to the World Cup, Tehran Times daily reported on Tuesday.

"We know Uzbekistan is a good team; that's why they sit top of Group A. In the past, we have played against them and lost to them in Tehran," he added.

After two rounds of games, Uzbekistan are leading the Group A with six points. Iran and South Korea are in the second and third places each with four points respectively. Endit