SPORTS SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014 Queiroz weighs up Iran’s WCup ‘mission impossible’ TEHRAN: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said to pay millions of dollars to play a due to a lack of funds, and Queiroz tried to make changes, including bring- he hopes his side can overcome poor friendly match against Argentina, but admits Iran are some way behind in ing in Iranian players with dual national- preparations to make an impact at the my players have won this game with their plans. “We lost six months. I hope ity, such as Daniel Davari of Germany’s World Cup finals in Brazil, but admits their sweat,” he said. we will be able to find a solution as Eintracht Braunschweig, Fulham mid- that the draw has left them facing a “This is a fantastic opportunity for us nothing is clearly scheduled for the fielder Ashkan Dejagah, Dutch-Iranian huge task. Iran, who are known among to face a team that plays with that play- moment,” he said, bemoaning the lack striker Reza Ghoochannejhad and, most fans as ‘Team Melli’, will be competing er (Messi) who is not human.” As for of financial support. recently, American-born right-back in their fourth World Cup finals after pre- their chances of qualifying for the last Steven Beitashour of San Jose vious appearances in 1978, 1998 and 16, Queiroz says they have “a duty to try Football in Iranians’ blood Earthquakes. However, his efforts were 2006 and will face one of the favorites, our luck” even if it seems like “an unreal- But despite the difficulties, Queiroz met with skepticism. “In a conservative Argentina, in Group F along with African istic dream.” At least the Portuguese believes the passion for the game in Iran society like Iran, it is not easy to talk champions Nigeria and dark horses himself is not short of experience, hav- can help them spring a surprise or two about reform and change of habits. It is Bosnia-Herzegovina. ing been coach of Real Madrid and assis- in Brazil. “Iranians have football in their not easy in Iran, not easy in other parts “This is our mission impossible once, tant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester blood and soul. You don’t need to pro- of the world. twice and three times,” Queiroz, the 60- United. In 2010 he coached his native mote football through marketing here,” “We cannot be competitive without year-old who took charge as head coach Portugal at the World Cup in South he said of a country that has enjoyed international experience. The only thing in April 2011, told AFP in Tehran. “But Africa, taking them to the last 16 where considerable success at youth level as here similar to professional football is that that is what makes the tournament they lost 1-0 to eventual winners Spain. well as in futsal and in beach soccer. at the end of the month, players get their attractive.” Iran are Asia’s top-ranked Taking Iran that far would be an “It is amazing to see that-with so few salary. “But my commitment to Iranians is team but Queiroz acknowledges that his enormous achievement, especially as his resources and capabilities-the federa- to make them happy. This is our World squad, made up largely of home-based preparations for this year’s finals are a tion has achieved so much. “With its Cup, this is our time to tell the world that players, lacks the quality needed to daily struggle in a country whose access potential, imagine what Iran could Iran is a football country.” For now, his make a serious impact. Instead, a meet- to the global banking system has been achieve if it had the resources of Qatar.” focus is purely on the World Cup, but ing with a side like Argentina and their cut due to international sanctions. As a When Queiroz took over as coach, he Queiroz admits that he has unspecified star man Lionel Messi, is simply to be result, a scheduled training camp in arrived to find a national federation that “offers” on the table for when his contract enjoyed with the pressure off. “You have Portugal was cancelled in September was “lethargic, lacking ambition.” He runs out on July 31. — AFP Chelsea loan out Refreshed Celtic seeking to extend Bertrand to Villa unbeaten run GLASGOW: Celtic get back to Scottish Premiership action LONDON: With Romelu Lukaku and this weekend as they look to continue their unbeaten start of Lucas Piazon up front, Oriol Romeu and the season against in-form Motherwell. The Hoops took a Marko Marin in midfield and a defense week off from league action to take a winter break in Turkey now bolstered by Ryan Bertrand, a and manager Neil Lennon hopes his players can pick up Chelsea “loaned out” eleven would where they left off. The Scottish champions won nine match- arguably be challenging at the top end es in a row before their break and haven’t conceded in eight of the Premier League. Bertrand, who domestic matches. However, the Parkhead club face a rejuve- played at left back in Chelsea’s nated Motherwell side, who have won their past six matches Champions League final win over on the spin since a 5-0 thrashing from Celtic at the beginning of December. Bayern Munich in 2012, became And Lennon knows his side will face a stern test if they are Chelsea’s 23rd player to be shipped out to extend their unbeaten league run to 21 games. when he joined Aston Villa for the rest of “Motherwell have had a real turnaround in their results of the season on Friday. late,” Lennon said. “They had a bit of blip around December The 24-year-old has found his oppor- time but Stuart McCall has done a wonderful job there and tunities limited with Cesar Azpilicueta they are coming strong again. “He’s lost some important and Ashley Cole ahead of him in the players last year, and like all clubs, it takes a bit of time when Stamford Bridge pecking order but will new boys come in but they look like they have started to find no doubt stroll into a Villa side still too their feet at that level. close to the relegation zone. “It’s a fan- “It will be a very good game to get our teeth into now we tastic opportunity for me to come here. are back. I would like our home form to improve in the sec- Aston Villa is a fantastic club with a mas- ond half of the season if we can in terms of goals, but it’s sive fanbase and a great history,” important we win the game on the back of returning from Bertrand told Villa’s website. “To get this Turkey.” Celtic returned home in buoyant mood after narrow- chance to come here and play some ly losing out to Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Antalya games will be a really good step for me.” Cup final. Lennon declared the break a success and hopes it It is a familiar story at Chelsea and will provide fresh impetus for the second half of the cam- other Premier League heavyweights paign. who sometimes have three international Ryan Bertrand “We all had a good time, and the lads got plenty of work quality players vying for one position. in and plenty of recovery as well,” he said. “The weather was Belgium international Lukaku has scored Piazon, like several other Chelsea loa- their title rivals, Villa boss Paul Lambert conducive to what wanted to do. We got everything out of nine goals for Everton, his second loan nees, was signed with the future in mind is grateful. “Ryan brings a lot of big- the trip that we wanted. “We won’t know the benefits of it club after an equally good spell at West before being farmed out to Vitesse, the game experience, not only in the until we get back, but if we go by how we approached last Bromwich Albion, while Brazilian chief beneficiaries of Chelsea’s forward- Premier League but even a Champions season in Marbella, and the way we went into the second-half teenager Piazon is scoring goals for fun thinking transfer policy. He has scored League final which Chelsea won, so he’ll of the season, then I’m hoping for similar sorts of performanc- at Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem. Spaniard 11 goals in 21 appearances for Vitesse, be really good for us,” he told Villa’s es as we were very good after we came back from the break Romeu, signed by Chelsea from helping them to joint top in the website. “We’re grateful to Chelsea for there.” Celtic will have new signing Stefan Johansen available Barcelona in 2011, is producing strong Eredivisie. allowing him to come here on loan and for selection after the Norwegian midfielder sealed his trans- displays while on loan at Valencia while Ghana striker Christian Atsu, signed we know he’ll be really good to work fer from Stromsgodset in midweek. Marin, once described as the “German by Chelsea from Porto, is also at Vitesse, with.” Mourinho said he sympathized Elsewhere today, second-placed Aberdeen will want to Lionel Messi” has thrived at Sevilla as are midfielders Cristian Cuevas from with Bertrand, admitting he is too good continue their recent run of good form when they host where he is on a season-long loan. Chile and Burkina Faso international to languish in the reserves. “He’s a good Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Pittodrie.