\n
\nIf Saman Ghoddos needed confirmation that Iran can \u201cmake history\u201d at the World Cup then he got it at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\nAs an unused substitute, the winger watched in delight as his club side Brentford claimed an upset 2-1 win over champions Manchester City.<\/p>\n
\nIvan Toney\u2019s double ended a 16-match home winning run for Pep Guardiola\u2019s side and provided a stark reminder that even the biggest favorites can falter in football.<\/p>\n
\nThat will be in the mind of Ghoddos and his Iran teammates as they prepare to face England, the US and Wales in Group B.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt was an amazing win, not an easy place to come and to get the three points. We were really happy with that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis shows what can happen in football, everyone can be beaten, everyone can win. We feel like we deserved it and it\u2019s a big achievement for us. There\u2019s now a lot of energy, confidence, and that\u2019s the perfect thing to take to the World Cup.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe first game stands out, playing against England, one of the best teams in the world. For me it\u2019s the perfect game to start with, go against the best team and try to prove ourselves and show we are there to compete.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe won\u2019t fear them, we won\u2019t fear anyone. It\u2019s the World Cup and everything can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nPhil Foden got City\u2019s consolation against Brentford with a fierce strike and he should be in England\u2019s side to take on Team Melli on Monday, Jan. 21.<\/p>\n
\nBut with players like Porto striker Mehdi Taremi in their ranks, Ghoddos is confident Iran have the quality to cause problems of their own.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cEngland have some exceptional players all over the pitch, so it\u2019s not only Foden,\u201d said the Malmo-born 29-year-old, who switched allegiance in 2017 to play for Iran \u2014 the country of his parents \u2014 rather than Sweden.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI feel like every one of them can do these magical things, but we need to stop them. We have a strong unit, who play for each other, play for the people and that can bring you further than you think.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cEven though you don\u2019t have players as good on paper as the other team, when we are together, when we are solid, it\u2019s very difficult to break us down. Hopefully we can do well. If it\u2019s a surprise I am happy with that. The hope is to get to the next stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIran have never managed to get past the first group stage at the World Cup. They came close four years ago in Russia but were pipped by Spain and Portugal.<\/p>\n
\nCarlos Queiroz has returned to coach them again in Qatar, having led them in the 2014 and 2018 tournaments.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cCarlos gives us a lot of confidence, a lot of tactical knowledge and it\u2019s a happy place when you go to the national team when he\u2019s there,\u201d added Ghoddos, who has 33 caps.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHe brings so much togetherness and I feel everything is getting better when he\u2019s there. The last World Cup I played in, it was the biggest thing I have done in my life so far, the biggest football achievement I have done.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe got four points in a very difficult group, so close to going through. We just want to go through now, that\u2019s the aim. It\u2019s another difficult group, but I think we have some better players, more mature.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI feel we have the experience now of having that last World Cup and we will bring that with us. Hopefully we can show what we can do. We have a very good team and very good coaching staff.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhile expectations may not be as high at the first World Cup in the Middle East from those outside Iran, Ghoddos added: \u201cI feel the pressure and we are putting a lot of pressure on ourselves.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhat is said outside you try to block that, if it is good or bad. With this pressure, we have to handle it and just try to make history. We will play for the people and that will give us massive energy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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