KAZAN, Russia, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said on Tuesday that his team have nothing to lose but will just do their best in the upcoming battle against powerhouse Spain.
"It's really a unique opportunity for us to play against Spain. All of my team are enthusiastic, excited and happy for this opportunity to play against this fantastic team," Queiroz told a press conference at the Kazan Arena.
Noting that Spain are a very strong team with great power of controlling the ball and the pace and many "super" players, Queiroz said that it will be a good opportunity for his team to learn and grow better through the game.
"We don't have amazing players like the Spanish team do. But we have opportunities to improve, we know how to work hard, how to concentrate. The better they are, the more we will fight," he said.
"We will try to take any opportunity we might have, and whenever we can get the ball, we will get it. It's the only opportunity to win, (that is) to be positive," he added.
Queiroz will have to rebuild his defense after player Roozbeh Cheshmi was ruled out suffering a muscle injury in training on Sunday.
Regarding Cheshmi's absence, Queiroz said that it was bad news, but his team will focus on what they can do.
Iranian player Masoud Shojaei also appeared at the press conference. He said that Cheshmi is undoubtedly a key player but Iran have other players who can fill in his position.
"We are not just a team, we are a family and a nation. I believe we have already shown this: in difficult situation, we always unite and are able to show our best," he said, adding that the team will play better to show how much they miss their brother Cheshmi.
Iran won the second victory in its World Cup history on June 15 in a dramatic way, after Moroccan substitute Aziz Bouhaddouz headed the ball into his own net.
The Team Melli, having entered the World Cup before but never progressed beyond the group stage, are eager to rewrite history this summer in Russia.
