Exit costs Iran chief job
Exit costs Iran chief job
Also In The News
|
Trinidad and Tobago are forced to return home without scoring after a 2-0 loss to Paraguay. |  |
Wednesday, 21, Jun 2006 09:02
Iran have sacked their head of football Mohammad Dadkan after they finished bottom of Group C thanks to a 1-1 draw with Angola.
The World Cup has been whipped up by the political establishment as a symbol of Iranian national pride and Dadkan, who controls the sport in the country, has taken the blame for the team's early exit.
"The Physical Education Organisation apologises to the Iranian nation for its wounded pride," a statement carried on Iranian state television said.
Coach Branko Ivankovic is still in his job but it remains to be seen whether he will stay after Dadkan's departure.
The Croat said that he was pleased with the team's performance in the draw against the African side, their first point of the tournament.
"We dominated the 90 minutes and perhaps deserved a victory today," Ivankovic said.
"The conditions were very hard but the players put their heart and soul into the match."
Meanwhile, Angolan coach Luis Oliviera Goncalves was very proud of his players for their performance in Germany.
The Africans collected two points in their first tournament, while they pushed Portugal during the 1-0 defeat in the opening game.
Goncalves admitted his side surpassed all expectations and he wasn't disappointed that they just missed out on reaching the knockout stages.
"People were saying we would let in a lot of goals but that didn't happen," Goncalves said.
"Everyone involved in Angolan football and the people at home can be very proud of the players."
Angola needed to win and Mexico to lose to Portugal to have any chance of qualifying.