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Report: Iran selects Brazilian coach
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran has picked Brazil's Valdeir Vierra to coach the national team in next year's World Cup, Tehran radio reported Saturday.The Iranian Football Federation has asked Vierra to submit his choice of players for the World Cup team by Monday, the radio station reported.
Vierra took over as Iran's coach last month and led the team to its World Cup berth.
When he was picked by the Iranians to lead the team's drive for a World Cup spot, Vierra was promised stewardship to the games themselves. But with $3 million US guaranteed from FIFA for qualifying, some Iranian soccer officials began to think they needed a big-name manager.
Media reports had mentioned Dutchman Johann Cruyff, Argentine Carlos Bilardo and Italy's Arrigo Sacchi as candidates.
For the Iranians, picking the right coach became even more crucial after a draw this month placed Iran and the United States in the same first-round group.
"For us, the U.S. is the team that is beatable," Vierra told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.
Last year, Vierra led Costa Rica to a 2-1 victory against the United States in a World Cup qualifying game. When the two teams met for a return match Costa Rica lost 2-1.
"I know the American team better than I know Iran's," said Vierra. "I know every player, I've studied their tactics, I know what they like and don't like."
Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh, captain and goalkeeper of Iran's World Cup team, said the game with the United States is very important "because of the political implications."
"What our government and our people want is for us to dominate that game," Abedzadeh said Friday.
In the first round, Iran also will be pitted against Yugoslavia and Germany.
NEXT ROUNDS: Round of 16 || Quarter-finals || Semi-finals
GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan