Tension brewing between Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz and the South Korean Choi Kang-Hee.
Following an interview given to the local press, Queiroz took an excption and reponded sharply before the match between Korea Rep. and Iran in Ulsan where Iran needs a point to assure qualification , regardless of the result in Tashkent. In an interview with the Korean media , their coach Choi Kang-Hee has stated that he dislikes Iran even more than Uzbekistan, but much prefers for Uzbekistan to qualify with them from this group. His reasoning was that the Korean team was treated badly while in Tehran where they lost the match 1-0 in Azadi.
That tactless comment from the Korean brought angry reaction from Carlos Queiroz a day later. The Portuguese coach said “such talk by coach Choi is a disgrace to football. He has offended the Iranian football and its coaches and for that he has to apologize or resign. “ Queiroz went on in adefiant mood and said “In Korea , I shall be buy an Uzbekistan team Jersey and before the match I will give it to the Korean coach.”
The sharp reaction by Queiroz ignited a war of words as the Korean press demanded answers from their grim-faced always angry coach. Choi in his turn responded to Queiroz by questioning his education and football knowledge ! He said “I am surprised by Queiroz , he worked in Real Madrid and Manchester united, but all he learned was strange and weird things!”
Choi added” Football is not about politics. I just want to tell Queiroz to set at home next year in Portugal and enjoy watching the World Cup on TV”
Choi concluded that “ You can tell Queiroz to bring 11 Uzbekistan jersey, I am wearing my own. I am disappointed that Queiroz is talking on behalf of the Iranian people, anyway I had enough of this talk and I do not want to prolong this war of words”
