TEHRAN, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Iran international striker Karim Ansarifard said they face high expectations in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup since their national soccer team, Team Melli, have not won the title for 42 years, Tehran Times daily reported on Saturday.
Iran will enter the Asian Cup with what is arguably their strongest roster in recent years as they have been drawn in Group D along with Yemen, Iraq and Vietnam.
Ansarifard believed that the three-time Asian Cup champions could do well at the Asia Cup judging from their performance at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Although Iran failed to make it to the knockout stage, they forced Portugal to 1-1 draw, narrowly lost to Spain 1-0 and beat Morocco in their brave group campaign.
"We achieved the best results in our history at the 2018 World Cup. We could have qualified for the next stage with a little bit of luck," Ansarifard said.
"Now, the 2018 World Cup is finished and we are determined to get the best result in the (AFC Asian Cup) competition. We are facing high expectations because Team Melli are the Asian first team in FIFA rankings and we must meet the fans' expectations," he added.
"Beyond that, under leadership of a great coach like Carlos Queiroz, I think it's available to win the AFC Asian Cup title," Ansarifard stated.
The 28-year-old striker has recently joined English Championship side Nottingham Forest from Olympiacos. Ansarifard is optimistic about his future in the team.
