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Afshin Ghotbi: Iran Will Win The 2011 Asian Cup
Iran looking to end trophy drought in January.
30-Aug-2010 1:40:00 PM
By Chris Paraskevas
Afshin Ghotbi has vowed to put an end to Iran's 35 year trophy drought by winning the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar.
The January tournament presents Team Meli with another chance to lift their fourth Asian Cup title and their first since their third consecutive victory in 1976.
“We are going to put an end to the 35 year title drought in the Asian Cup in Doha," Ghotbi said, quoted by the Tehran Times.
"The atmosphere in the Team Melli camp is good, and our training is going in the right direction.
"So far we have achieved a good level of confidence in our away games."
Iran will face stiff competition from a number of Asia's powerhouses, who - unlike Iran - managed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
South Korea, Japan and Australia will arguably all consider themselves favourites for the tournament, while the likes of North Korea, Saudi Arabia, China, defending champions Iraq and Uzbekistan might be potential dark horses.
Ghotbi remains confident of victory though, with friendly matches against China and South Korea lined up as preparation for the tournament.
"Playing with China and South Korea will help us to get ready for the event. China is a good football team and South Korea needs no comment.
The Koreans had an outstanding performance in the 2010 World Cup."
The January tournament presents Team Meli with another chance to lift their fourth Asian Cup title and their first since their third consecutive victory in 1976.
“We are going to put an end to the 35 year title drought in the Asian Cup in Doha," Ghotbi said, quoted by the Tehran Times.
"The atmosphere in the Team Melli camp is good, and our training is going in the right direction.
"So far we have achieved a good level of confidence in our away games."
Iran will face stiff competition from a number of Asia's powerhouses, who - unlike Iran - managed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
South Korea, Japan and Australia will arguably all consider themselves favourites for the tournament, while the likes of North Korea, Saudi Arabia, China, defending champions Iraq and Uzbekistan might be potential dark horses.
Ghotbi remains confident of victory though, with friendly matches against China and South Korea lined up as preparation for the tournament.
"Playing with China and South Korea will help us to get ready for the event. China is a good football team and South Korea needs no comment.
The Koreans had an outstanding performance in the 2010 World Cup."
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