The Portuguese coach of Team Melli , said that “I guarantee that we can defeat the Korea Republic team provided we have the support of 100,000 supporters and the administrators & officials”. The comment came during the visit of Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament to Team Melli camp , a visit that Larijani initiated to offer moral support of the parliamentarians and people representatives ahead of the vital clash on Tuesday against Korea Republic.
During the short visit , Larijani met with the players and the coaching staff after the conclusion of a practice session. On the occasion of the visit , Carlos Queiroz said that “ Our team is quite ready for the clash on Tuesday and all our concentration is on taking all the three points out of that match.” Then he went on addressing Larijani , the veteran politician who was the top negotiator on issues of national security, including Iran’s nuclear program and a renowned philosopher in his own right “ I can guarantee and promise that we can defeat Korea Republic with the backing of 100,000 fans in Azadi and the support of officials like you.”
Queiroz praised the presence of Larijani by saying “ Your presence in our camp to observe the players practice session is a morale boosting act and highly appreciated. When a busy person such as yourself who has huge responsibilities and very important issues to deal with in the country , makes time to pay us a visit , it is a sign of how much this nation values football and how vital is the team is for the people.”
Larijani expressed his delight to be in the Team Melli camp and said “ I am glad to see the team in a such an enthusiastic mood and very spirited and in training , all ready for the upcoming challenge.” He acknowledged that the team has been the target of much criticism recently especially in the press, and added “ some of the criticisms were even quite harsh, however, I believe that those comments were because of the sincere desire of the people to see a winning Iran , hence they are quite protective of their team and sensitive to its fortunes. People like to see a winning team that brings pride to the nation. We consider you as national asset and in my capacity as a representative of the people , I wish you all the best and dearly hope that you are victorious against Korea Republic team. I also like to convey the good wishes and best regards of the all members of the parliament”
Ali Larijani paid a similar courtesy visit of the camp of Iran’s Futsal team which is preparing for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 t0 be held in Thailand .
This is the highest ranking Iranian official visit to Team Melli camps since President Ahmadinejad visited on May 30th , 2008.