FERNANDO SANTOS ON WORLD CUP DRAW: «VERY DECEPTIVE GROUP»
The coach of the Portuguese National Team commented on the draw for the 2018 World Cup, which put Spain, Iran and Morocco in group B with Portugal. “Portugal has to take its share of responsibility when looking at a group of these teams, but when we notice the interest and the attention, we realize that it will be a very difficult group. Right from the start in the first game, Portugal-Spain. It is important that we win this. Then for the two other teams that we are going to play, Iran finished their qualifying groups matches unbeaten.”vhe said after the draw, stressing why this is a” tricky group.”
“Spain is naturally the favorite team, as I have always said. “This is not the first time I say it or because I am going to face Spain. I have always said that it is one of the favorite teams to win this World Cup and Portugal is in charge of doing what it has done, which is to look for every game to win, “he said
MOROCCO coach : “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE”
Hervé Renard, Morocco coach was pleased with the draw for the 2018 World Cup, which put Portugal, Spain and Iran in the same group as Morocco team. “We are so happy to be in the World Cup we have to face this group with great motivation. The worst we could do was that we were just satisfied with the qualifiers,” the Frenchman told TMC . “The first game with Iran will be decisive for the rest of the group, then we play against Portugal, and then with Spain, which everyone wants to avoid. We will do everything to qualify to the next round. Even if it seems difficult, in football nothing is impossible. You have to believe it, “he concluded.
“Yes, I said to him to be calm, and take it easy …” Queiroz jokes
Carlos Queiroz, Iran coach, commented on the draw for the 2018 World Cup, which saw duels with Portugal, Spain and Morocco in Group B. “Personally I’m very happy because it’s a group with two very special country teams for me. For Iran, it’s going to be a very tough competition. It would always be so, regardless of the group. But when you have Spain, World Champion and Portugal, champion of Europe … for me, I could not have done better, ” he began by saying at the end of the draw that took place in Moscow on Friday.
Asked who is stronger, whether Portugal or Spain: «Well … first we will play with Morocco and then we start to prepare very well for the following games. What matters most is playing with ambition and leaving the World Cup with honor. No doubt Spain and Portugal are favorites, unless they make mistakes. It is unlikely. ”
Queiroz confessed that he had already discussed the draw with his Spanish counterpart:” Yes, we have. I said to him to be calm, and take it easy …” (laughs). “
“PORTUGAL HAS A LOT OF FANTASTIC PLAYERS” LOPETEGUI
The Spanish national team has launched a first approach to the 2018 World Cup draw, which saw them drawn with Portugal, Iran and Morocco. “It’s a difficult group, complicated and it’s going to be tough. It is a World Cup and no team is easy, ” Julen Lopetegui quoted, When asked about facing Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo in particular, he said. “It’s not the time to talk about names. Portugal is the European champion, have a group of fantastic players, driven in a fantastic way. We are talking about the highest level of football. ” said the former FC Porto coach.