Football gods bless those who score goals: Carlos Queiroz after USA end Iran’s FIFA World Cup dream

Iran vs USA, FIFA World Cup: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz lamented that his team deserved a draw with the USA after suffering a 0-1 defeat, which knocked Iran out of the tournament.

USA knocked Iran out of the World Cup. (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Iran coach Carlos Queiroz lamented that his team deserved a draw with the USA after suffering a 0-1 defeat, which knocked Iran out of the FIFA World Cup.

Iran needed a draw to stand a chance to reach the knockout stages, but ‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic’s goal in the first half helped USA to make it to the last-16.

“Football gods bless those who score goals, and unfortunately we didn’t score,” Queiroz said in the press conference. “I said before the match that the United States were the most consistent team in the first two games (against Wales and England).”

“The United States started the match as they did against Wales and England, and they were better than us, more ferocious and faster, and scored a goal, and I was not surprised by that.

“But in the second half the situation changed and we took possession of the ball and created more chances than the United States did in the first half and we deserved to score at least a goal.

“The United States players have the speed and if I may say when you play against Ferraris you need to close the highway, and that’s what we did after the break and we were the better team.”

Queiroz also heaped praise on Iranian players for their commitment and efforts in training and on the pitch. “We train in an atmosphere that is not comparable to other teams, but when I work with the players on a daily basis they show enthusiasm and desire to represent Iran,” he said.

Queiroz, who returned as Iran coach for a second stint, dodged the question about Iran players demanding a penalty. Mehdi Taremi went down in the area when Cameron Carter-Vickers tried to stop him. Subsequently, Iran players protested but it was waved away.

“I have not seen a replay of it yet, but talking about it now is senseless, the United States reached the last 16, and this will not change anything. Life will go on and there are other matches to come,” Queiroz said.

“I said before in 2018 that I had previously coached many clubs and national teams, but I have never seen in my career players who give everything and get nothing in return like the Iranian players. Sometimes football is not fair, and we will come back stronger and have succeeded in gaining the respect of the whole world.”