TEHRAN - Newly-appointed Iran football coach Afshin Ghotbi said on late Thursday that he is determined to make his team qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Ghotbi, who was appointed as Iran’s football coach on Wednesday, will lead Iran in the three remaining matches in the qualifiers.
“I am proud of being Iran’s coach. I know we have little time and we have a difficult job in front of us, but Iran has 70 million fans so we can book a berth in the event,” he said.
“We need all Iranians’ support to qualify for the World Cup. Our players have great qualities and we can accomplish great things.
“The Iranian lions deserve to play in the World Cup. I will do my best to get it done. In my opinion, being here as the Iran’s coach is the divine energy of God,” the former Persepolis coach added.
Iran is scheduled to play North Korea on June 6. The team is fourth in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in Group Two with six points, behind North and South Korea and Saudi Arabia respectively