The Iranian national women’s team are optimistic of a berth in the final round of the AFC Women’s Asia Cup as the qualifying matches of Group B begins in Dhaka from May 21 to 25.
The Iranian national women’s team have already arrived in Dhaka and had their first training session at the Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club field on Friday.Four teams – Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines and Thailand – will feature in the competition with one team qualifying for the final round, the venue of which is yet to be confirmed.
Helena Costa, the Portuguese head coach of Iran, who are one of the hot favourites to top the Group alongside Thailand, said that they have taken all-out preparation for the tournament and played warm-up matches in Jordan and Russia.
‘I really believe we can qualify (for the final round of the AFC Asian Cup),’ said Costa, who was the head coach of Youth Sport Lisboa e Benfica for three years before acting as the head coach of the Cheleirense men’s team for one year.
Iran had earlier taken part in the AFC’s Asian Cup Qualifiers once in 2010 but they were eliminated from the group stage.
`We are preparing since October last year when we also started the selection process. A special group of people watched matches of three divisions of football in Iran and finally formed a squad which played matches in Jordan and Russia.
Japan, South Korea, North Korea and China were given automatic berths in the competition and they will be joined by four qualifiers.
Iran’s arrival five days before the competition only shows how serious they are in the competition.
`We have arrived early as we are keen to adapt to the conditions. We know it is going to be hard especially with the humidity and the temperature. But we have to play,’ said Costa.
Costa said she was pleasantly surprised when she joined Iran in October.
‘I also thought that Iran was conservative before I went there but Iran openly practice all women’s sports. Two weeks ago I saw a religious leader seeking support for women who represent Iran internationally and after his speech the support is much better.’
Costa added that participating in the AFC’s Asian Cup Qualifiers was a positive step for Iranian women footballers, who had earlier faced various bans and restrictions, imposed by the international sports institutions for their decision to wear head scraps.
There are however no such restrictions in this competition.
-With New Age input
