As part of the two teams preparation for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Iran will be hosting Korea Rep in Azadi on November 18th, 2014.
The news was confirmed by a Korean source, however no conformation from the Iranian side has been reported although Kaffashian mentioned some times ago the possibility of a friendly against Korea if Queiroz gives his approval.
Both the teams played in the FIFA World Cup 2014 as Asian representatives and both ending their campaign with disappointing results, as they were eliminated after finishing the bottom of their respective groups. However , the similarities and the differences in mentality and approach top progress ends there between the two nations.
South Korea is currently without a coach as Hong Myung-Bo resigned nearly three weeks ago ( July 10th) after the former star player apologized for the team’s poor performance and took full responsibility for it at the World Cup in Brazil. Hong has faced mounting criticism after South Korea were eliminated from the World Cup by finishing last in the four-team Group H.
South Korea were defeated 1-0 by Belgium, 4-2 by Algeria and drew 1-1 with Russia.
No such problem for Iran , of course , as a similar result to the Koreans in the World Cup (2 defeats and a draw, last in the group with 1 solitary goal while Korea scored 3 goals) , had exactly the opposite effect on the Iranians. That mediocre result elevated the stature of their coach to even a higher degree of admiration and respect than before. Such admiration for his work is reflected in the new contract, which is the highest ever paid by an Iranian football federation for a coach in the history.
There is no love lost between the Koreans and Queiroz. The last time these two teams met in Ulsan , Ghoochannejad scored the only goal to assure Iran a direct qualification to the World Cup , while the Koreans waited nervously for the news of the match in Tashkent where Uzbekistan was defeating Qatar 5-1. One goal short of making it , Uzbekistan missed out again while the Koreans qualified. After the match was finished , Queiroz went towards the Korean bench and hell nearly broke loose when the Portuguese coach taunted his counterpart Choi Kang-Hee.
The tension between the two teams started at the coaches level well before kick off as the South Korean coach Choi Kang-Hee vowed that Queiroz would be watching the World Cup from his home in Portugal. Son Heung-Min, , the South Korean’s player promised to “make life painful” for Iran and to force their captain to cry “tears of blood”.
The Korean fans pelted Queiroz with objects and there were calls to file a complaint against Iran head coach to FIFA accusing Queiroz of provocation and intimidation. The Korean FA refused to pursue the matter any further , preferring to maintain the cordial relation it has with Iran lasting many decades.
At the end , it was the Korean coach Choi Kang-Hee, who sat home watching the World Cup on his Samsung TV as he resigned his post following the criticism from the Korean media and fans who always demand success and high standards.