Iran may play Venezuela in World Cup warm-up

Tehran: Iran may play a friendly against Venezuela in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Iran`s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz already asked the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) to arrange two friendly matches against Chile and Venezuela. Chile refused to play with Iran but the Asian team will likely play Venezuela. The date of the match is yet to be announced. Iran will also play with a strong African team during training camp in Portugal ahead of the World Cup. Queiroz has already said that the team is not a tourist in Brazil. In June, Iran beat South Korea 1-0 in Seoul and finished first with 16 points in Group A of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers. IANS