TEHRAN, Iran November 8 - (Reuters)

Iran, angered by its 0-2 defeat by Qatar in a World Cup Asian qualifier on Friday, reacted Saturday by sacking coach Mohammad Myeli Kohan and replacing him with Brazilian Valdeir Viera.

"Valdeir Viera has been appointed the new head coach of Iran's national football team," the official IRNA news agency quoted Darious Mostafavi, president of the Iranian Football Federation, as saying. "Viera ... replaces Mohammad Myeli Kohan, who was fired earlier on Saturday following repeated setbacks by the Iranian team in the qualifying matches for the World Cup in France in 1998," IRNA said. Myeli's two assistants were also fired, the news agency said. "Viera, who is currently the coach of the Iranian national youth team, has 35 years' experience as a player and head coach," the agency said. The defeat dealt a blow to Iran's hopes of automatic qualification for the World Cup. Iran, which has 12 points and a better goal difference than its group A rivals, will still qualify if the final match in the group, between Saudi Arabia and Qatar on November 12, ends in a draw.