IRIB - Iran vows to keep 33-year old winning
streak, as Croatian coach's superstars brace to flex muscle in Wednesday's
world cup 2006 qualifier against North Korea.
Boosted from Tehran's 2-1 win against Asian football champion Japan, Iranian
soccer team on way to Piong Yong set eye on a second victory in ten days to
storm into the 2006 world cup final in Germany.
Iran and North Korea has had 16 visits, with 11 wins and five draws.
Iran's best world scorer Ali Daie's appearance before North Korea still in
doubt due to the ankle injury picked up on Friday.
Ali Daie, 35, close to call time has been converted in Friday's show against
world cup hopeful Japan.
Friday's "man of the match" and in-form double scorer Vahid Hashemian is the
best alternative to fill the gap if veteran Daie miss Wednesday's match.
However, Iran will not underestimate North Korea, also pinning hope on 2006
world cup final dispite its two successive setbacks versus Japan and
Bahrain.
Group B underdog North Korea are clinched to win past Iran to end the
33-year old goal drought.
Iran-North Korea final visit was left mid-way as trailing North Koreans had
stepped off the pitch 15 minutes from the second half because of a
firecracker lobbed by football fans into the field.
Following the incident, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has declared
Iran as winner.
Livescore