FRANCE 98 – Germany-Iran – K. Bagheri: “The German players' experience overwhelmed us in this match”

Germany-Iran – K. Bagheri: “The German players’ experience overwhelmed us in this match”

26.06.98 00h39 CET

Karim BAGHERI (6):

“

We had two great chances in the first-half, but unfortunately we weren’t able to make anything of them. The German players’ experience overwhelmed us in this match. They didn’t have a lot of chances, but they made the most of them. We’re leaving this World Cup very pleased with our performance. It was a good experience for all of us. GERMANY is by far the strongest team we’ve played against. I congratulate them on their victory and wish them the best of luck for the rest of the competition.

I’m leaving Bielefeld (German second division) next season for a more upmarket club in the Bundesliga.”

Mehdi MAHDAVIKIA (2):

“I had the best chance of the match, at the end of the first fifteen minutes. I was alone in front of the goalkeeper, but unfortunately couldn’t get past the last hurdle. The goal I scored against the UNITED STATES was very important. That goal liberated us, but above all, it means that several European clubs are now interested in us, which is our greatest victory. The most important lesson of this World Cup is that we have shown that the Middle Eastern game has now almost caught up with the European one. We will be stronger in four years.”

Ali DAEI (10):

“I’m very satisfied with our excellent run in the World Cup. Our target has been reached: we played well and we had some really good matches. We’ve made a lot of progress, but it still takes a lot of hard work to get past the first round.”

Mohammad KHAKPOUR (4):

“The fact that we held the former World Champions at bay for the first half will remain one of the great moments in our football history. BIERHOFF’s (20) impressive headers gave me a lot of trouble.”