TEHRAN, June 13 -- Iran's national soccer coach Carlos Queiroz said they are completely ready to meet Morocco at the 2018 World Cup, Tehran Times daily reported on Wednesday.
"Morocco is an African country but most of their players were born in the European countries and grown up there. They take advantage of a good coach and have also creative players. We respect them a lot and I am sure they respect us a lot too," Queiroz told reporters at BaBakovkaamp in Russia.
The Portuguese said his men want to beat Morocco but there is no guarantee to win the match.
"However we can guarantee we will fight until the end. Actions, of course, do speak louder than words, and we want to act," he added.
Iran, making their fifth appearance in the World Cup finals, kick off their campaign against the Atlas Lions in St Petersburg on June 15.
Queiroz says to defeat the African powerhouses will help them to book a place in the knockout stage for the first time ever, though it will be a difficult task.
Queiroz's side, meanwhile, face Spain in Kazan on June 20 before meeting Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Saransk five days later.