| Iran says could play in arch-foe US |
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| Monday, 28 April 2008 | |
 TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran could play friendly games for its World Cup campaign in the United States after receiving an invitation from the US football authorities, Iranian media reported on Monday. The invitation is for a ten day training camp based around Los Angeles and two possible friendly matches from June 23 to July 3, the state news agency IRNA reported. "We received the formal and written invitation from the US soccer federation Saturday evening" the deputy head of the Iranian football federation, Mehdi Taj, was quoted as saying by student news agency ISNA. The proposed trip however remains subject to the approval of the government-run Physical Education Organisation (PEO) and the Iranian foreign ministry, as well as new national coach Ali Daei. "If Daei agrees to the camp, the invitation will be sent to the overseas council of the PEO to receive the go-ahead for the trip," Taj said. The Team Melli's most celebrated exploit of recent years was when it defeated the United States 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at the 1998 World Cup in France. However despite boasting a wealth of talent, Iran has made a lacklustre start to its qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, drawing games with lesser sides Syria and Kuwait. It is not clear what sides Tehran would play in the United States but IRNA said that possible opposition could include David Beckham's side Los Angeles Galaxy. Iran and the United States have been politically at loggerheads since the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the pro-US shah. However visits by sporting delegations to the other country are not unknown. |
