BSP-09 Portugal ready for ‘tough battle’ with Iran – Santos

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Portugal ready for ‘tough battle’ with Iran – Santos

SARANSK, Russia, June 25, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Portugal boss Fernando Santos
predicts a “tough battle” in Monday’s decisive World Cup group game against
Iran as both countries chase a place in the last 16.

European champions Portugal are level with Spain on four points at the top
of Group B and need a draw to guarantee qualification.

Iran, who beat Morocco in their opening game before losing to Spain, are
trying to reach the latter stages of the World Cup for the first time.

“We’ve seen all the qualifying games, not just those at the World Cup, and
we’ve seen they’re a very organised team,” Santos said on Sunday.

“They have quality players, with the experience of two successive World
Cups and some of them are playing in big leagues like Spain, Greece or
Russia.”

Iran must win in Saransk to prolong their Russian adventure and will take
heart from a narrow 1-0 loss against Spain, a game decided by a fluke Diego
Costa strike.

“In my opinion they are the best Asian team,” Santos said.

“They have a lot of ability as a team and not just as a defensive team.
They also know how to play on the counter as they showed against Spain.

“We have to prepare ourselves for a tough battle, with two teams that want
to win and that are going to do everything to achieve that.”

Portugal go into the contest as heavy favourites to progress, but veteran
centre-back Pepe strongly insisted the job was not yet complete.

“We don’t think we have a foot and a half in the last 16 and this is a good
thing,” Pepe said.

“We have a lot of respect for our rivals and it’s a very important game
because it’s going to give us the chance to get through the group phase.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored all four of Portugal’s goals so far in the
tournament, although Santos rejected suggestions the team is overly reliant
on the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“He makes the difference here, like he does at Real Madrid and before at
Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon,” Santos said. “But on Monday Iran are
going to play against Portugal, not against Cristiano.”

There will be a familiar face in the Iran dugout in Carlos Queiroz, a long-
time friend of Santos’s who coached his native Portugal at the 2010 World
Cup. The former Real Madrid boss and Manchester United assistant has been in
charge of the Iran national side since 2011.

Queiroz admitted it would be “a special day” facing his homeland but said
friendships would be put to one side as he bids to make history with Iran.

“We have to be realistic, we’re going to play against one of the strongest
teams at the moment, Queiroz said.

“Portugal are not only a contender, they’re one of the favourites for the
title.”

BSS/AFP/MSY/0944 hrs