“I have coached Iran 21 times, 15 of them have been away games. We have recently played seven warm-up games, four of them have been away games in which we were victorious in three games,” Ghotbi said in a news conference ahead of two friendlies against China and South Korea slated for September 3 and 7, respectively.
“We are going to put an end to the 35 year title drought in the Asian Cup in Doha. Playing with China and South Korea will help us to get ready for the event. China is a good football team and South Korea needs no comment. The Koreans had an outstanding performance in the 2010 World Cup,” Ghotbi added.
“We have so many problems in Iran, such as visa problems for players. I am like a soldier who fights with difficulties,” he concluded.
Iran has been drawn along with Iraq, North Korea and the UAE in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.