Iran boss Queiroz quiet on Spain's coaching debacle

Morocco looked the better of the two teams but weren't clinical enough when the chances came.

"Everybody knows that we like to compete and we are fighters. I want to apologize to the team, the fans and the 35 million people in Morocco", the Nador-native who now plays for Germany's FC Sankt Pauli told L'Equipe.

"We are not ever using apologies or justifications, we are using the difficulties as a source of inspiration for our motivations to be strengthened during the games", said Queiroz. They are superior to us and we've prepared for Iran like we have prepared for Spain and Portugal.

"We will be very focused until the last second of the game", he said.

Morocco nearly turned that initial pressure into a goal in the 19th minute when following a scramble in the area, Medhi Benatias shot was well saved by Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand.

The Asians now sit on top spot in their group, with the two Iberian sides having played out a 3-3 draw. They exploded with joy as Iran won the game late on in dramatic fashion 1-0 to register just their second World Cup win in history, the first one a historic 2-1 win against the United States of America 2-1. It revived memories of the vuvuzelas that were the soundtrack of the World Cup in South Africa. After mocking up the brand's famous strapline "Just do it" to read "We just did it without you", the image has gone viral via social media.

"Against Spain, everyone from the goalkeeper to the striker can create things so we have to think of a different strategy".

With Spain and Portugal drawing 3-3, Queiroz's side will head into their clash against La Roja on Wednesday top of the Group B table and with momentum as well as hope. Following Nike's withdrawal of footwear supply to Iranian players however, Iran once again gained attention with its victory at the opening match against Morocco.

The 49-year-old also denied that Spain losing coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament had made it easier for the other teams in the group.

Tehran gave a small exception to the stadium ban in 2015, allowing some women to watch a volleyball game, according to Fox News.

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