Bengaluru: Iran national team coach Carlos Queiroz was modesty personified as he made it clear that Indian football team should not be judged by FIFA rankings.
"FIFA rankings are just another rankings. What matters are the results. I have great respect for India as opponents. And I don't see the rankings as a parameter to judge. It is 11 versus 11 on the field on Tuesday. Nothing less, nothing more,"
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Queiroz said at the mandatory pre-match media conference ahead of Iran's World Cup qualifier against hosts.
He has managed Real Madrid, been a reverred assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at the Manchester United, somebody credited to have groomed Cristiano Ronaldo in his formative years, Queiroz is known all over the world for being a sharp football brain.
At the face of it, he did not want to take India lightly.
"We are playing against a difficult opponent. We need three points and so do India. It'll be tough match for both the teams. Our opponents (India) have families, friends and fans, which is the same like us. They also want to win and so do we," Queiroz stated.
Out of 10 matches played between the two contingents, Iran have registered 7 wins so far while India have garnered only 2 wins with one of them coming way back in 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi.
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"Playing away in a World Cup Qualifier fixture is always difficult. There are numerous challenges and numerous difficulties. But I expect a fighting attitude from my lads," the former Real manager quipped.
Even if he is aware of India's disastrous performances in the past few years, Queiroz decided to speak about positive things.
"India have improved in recent times. The scoreline of the game against Oman was not a fair reflection of what happened on the pitch. India deserved a better result against Guam too," he added.
Furthermore, Queiroz mentioned about his association with former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia to spread Football in the Grassroots in the Country through Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools .
Queiroz, their gaffer, is vastly experienced at this stage and will be aware of how to mitigate the continent's 27th ranked nation away from home. The Portuguese also has a relatively young side at his disposal.
Sardar Azmoun, nicknamed the 'Messi of Iran', will be Queiroz's key man. At just 20 years of age, the attacker has seven goals in 11 internationals. Skipper Andranik Teymourian and Jalal Hosseini have a combined total caps of 189.
Ashkan Dejagah, an English Premier League (EPL) winger, will add impetus to the right side of the park. The focus will also be on left winger Ehsan Hajsafi, currently plying his trade with FSV Frankfurt in the second tier of Bundesliga.
"We all know who we are playing tomorrow. Iran are 40th in the world and the best team in Asia. The most important thing is to understand what we have trained and how we have trained," Chhetri said.
"It's always difficult to play exactly the way you want when you play such high ranked team. We need to be fit and do our best."
Constantine said: "Iran are one of the best sides in Asia. They are where they are because of the things they have done in the past and are doing it even presently.
"There is a great deal of respect for Iran but don't mistake that for fear. It's 11 versus 11 on the field. If we work hard there is a chance that we can take something from this game; and I believe we can.
"International football is a different platform altogether. When you are scouting players for a certain position you need to scout with certain aspects in mind, for example, a central defender needs to be tall and so does a goalkeeper," the Briton added.
