{sports.soccer} Iran's Roadmap to WC 2006

Team Melli, figure courtesy of PersianLeague.com

Team Melli will host North Korea in a decisive match to qualify for World Cup 2006 in Germany. The soccer fever has reached Toronto. Farid and I decided to buy the matches (next one is with Bahrain on Wednesday). The spectators will be limited to 32,000, but I think there would be 40,000 in Azadi Stadium. This would lessen the pressure on Team Melli in my opinion. Ali Karimi will try to impress Bayern manager and Freydun Zandi will continue his high-class performance (he scored a goal against Azerbaijan in a friendly match last week). Hashemian is motivated to prove to Hannover managre that he will fit in the starting line-up. Mahdavikia will try his best to convince HSV new manager that he is a talented player, although didn't play well the previous season.

The North Koreans will fight back to earn their pride and stop Iran. It will not be an easy match for Iran, but I think we will win this one 2-0. The next clash againsh Bahrain would be a draw. Four points in these two games will secure our playoff berth. The last match is against Japnan, in Japan, where we will win 3-2 to lead group B into the playoffs. Soccer fever is high.