Ashkan Dejagah: “Iran Can Make it to the Next Round”

No one can forget Ashkan Dejagah’s dashing debut for the Iranian national football team. In his first game, against Qatar, the mild-mannered, quiet attacker from England’s Fulham club scored two goals, and from then on, all eyes were on him.

There have been obstacles: Dejagah has not completed his military duty for Iran, which is compulsory for all male citizens. His numerous tattoos have set him apart from other Iranian players. But he is now widely accepted to be one of Iran’s best players. An attacking midfielder and a strong runner, he has proven that he can assist in offensive attacks—and score goals. Iranian fans have high expectations for Dejagah’s performance in Brazil, and he is aiming high, firmly believing that Iran can pass the first round.

IranWire talked to Ashkan Dejagah about his hopes for Iran's World Cup campaign.

How do you feel about your first appearance at the World Cup?

For a footballer it can’t get any better than this. It’s the dream of every young player. This is my first time at the World Cup so I am a little nervous and excited but I am happy and honored that I am playing for Iran’s team.

Is the team well prepared?

We have practiced well and fortunately the team is very disciplined. Carlos Queiroz [Iran’s manager] is a great coach and has helped the Iranian team greatly. I hope he stays with us. Perhaps rising to the knockout games in the World Cup would encourage him to stay so the team can continue to use his insights.

So you believe Iran will make it to the next round?

Nothing in football is predictable. But I believe Argentina will go through as the number one team, and the other teams [in Group F] have a chance to climb as well. If we start out well, we will have a good chance to get to the next round.

But many football experts believe that Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia are powerful teams and Iran has less of a chance.

We have difficult games ahead of us but the Iranian team is not weak; we have to remain hopeful and play well. We are not going to win the cup but we can be good. This is the fourth time that Iran has participated in the World Cup but it has never been able to break out of its group. If we can reach the knockout round, it would something that we have not done before. I think we have a chance. I know we are playing a difficult round against Argentina, Bosnia and Nigeria, but nothing in football is foretold.

You will be playing against great footballers who play for the best leagues in the world. Aren’t you nervous about facing them?

We have good players in our lineup too, such as Reza Ghoochannejhad, who is a striker in England’s Charlton Athletic, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, a winger for the Dutch team Nijmegen, and Daniel Davari, who was goalkeeper for Germany’s Eintracht Braunschweig last season. So we must not be terrified of great players.

Which game is going to be the most difficult one?

I think the match against Nigeria will be the most difficult one. It is our first game and we must win points. Nigeria is a good African team and they are physically very strong. If we can score points in this match, the hope for getting to the next round will be stronger.

Many people hope you’ll score goals in this championship. Do you think that’s possible, considering it’s the first time you’ve played in the World Cup?

Every player wants to score goals in the World Cup. I cannot make promises. Football cannot be predicted. I believe the important thing is that the team will play well so we don’t let down our fans and the people.