EUROPE PRESS

12/01/201717: 45
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has confirmed that both Spain and Portugal, “special” rivals in Group B at the 2018 World Cup, are clear “favorites” to advance to the round of 16, and praised the “quality” and the “intensity” of the players directed by Julen Lopetegui.

“They are favorites, unless there is an error,” he said in a statement to Cuatro after the FIFA World Cup 2018 drawing ceremonies  of the group stage, which took place this Friday in Moscow, before joking with his conversation with the Spanish coach. “I told him to be quiet,” he said with a laugh.

Thus, the Portuguese, ex-coach of Real Madrid, acknowledged that the draw has brought him two “special” rivals for him. “I am very happy, we have had two special places for me, first Portugal and then Spain, it is going to be a very tough competition, when you are with Spain, world champion, and Portugal, European champion, it can not be better for me, “he stressed.

On ‘the Red’, the Portuguese confessed that he worries “everything”, including “the quality of the players, the intensity and rhythm.” “We have to play with Morocco and prepare very well, we are facing the World Cup with great enthusiasm, with a lot of respect, and we want to go out to our World Cup matches with great dignity,” he concluded.