Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said his players have recovered their souls after two late goals gave them a dramatic 2-0 win against Wales in their second World Cup Group B game on Friday.
Iran suffered a 6-2 defeat to England in their opening match but was much more aggressive against the Welsh, although it wasn’t until the 99th minute that they took the lead through Rouzbeh Cheshmi’s low shot.
Ramin Rezaeian added a second goal two minutes later and after the final whistle, Queiroz was bounced in the air by his delighted players.
“Sometimes you lose your dignity and honour and the first game (against England) meant our pride was bleeding. This was a chance to rebound and to get back to credibility, showing the football we have in our souls and minds,” said Queiroz in his post-game press conference.
“Nobody likes to lose and especially to lose with those number (6-2), it is tough, but the beauty of the game is that there is always the next game to play.”
“We showed amazing character, we deserved to win, but the Welsh were very difficult, we had to concentrate all 90 minutes, but got more control as the game continued. We should have scored earlier, but the important thing is to score,” commented Queiroz, who was delighted his side had a chance to reach the last 16.
“Everything is open in the group until the last round, what is important is that we have our goals and dreams in our hands.”
“This game was a gift to the Iran fans: from north, south, east and west, this was a gift to them. It was a winning day for football,” he concluded.
Wales coach Robert Page had no complaints over the result, despite the late goals that robbed his side of a point. “It’s a hard one to take. This is not a true reflection of that team and that’s what disappoints me the most.”
“They (Iran) deserved the win, they’d hit the post and bar and had a goal disallowed before I made my substitutions, so I have no complaints,” he said. The match was played at the hottest part of the day, but Page insisted he was “not going to use the heat as an excuse.”
“We weren’t in the game at all. You can carry a couple of players who have an off day, but when the majority of the team are not at it, there is only going to be one outcome.”
“I’m disappointed today because we fell short of the standards we have set in recent months, and when you do that in a top competition, you get punished,” commented Page.
