TEHRAN, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's national soccer team want to defeat Uzbekistan for the fourth time in a row, Tehran Times daily reported on Friday.
Iran will kick off their final phase of preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with a friendly against Asian rivals Uzbekistan on Saturday.
Iran and Uzbekistan have already played against each other eight times, with Iran winning six times, Uzbekistan taking one victory and one game ending in a draw.
The match, to be played in Tehran, will give Carlos Queiroz a chance to gauge his players as the Iran head coach works on his 35-player squad.
Queiroz will have to trim his final squad to 23 players and Saturday's friendly against Uzbekistan and the May 29 tie against Turkey will be the final avenues for the players to prove their selection worth. The final squad has to be named by June 3.
The fans will be allowed free entry into the Azadi Stadium to watch the friendly match between Iran and Uzbekistan, which will be officiated by Qatari referee.
