TEHRAN The head coach of Iran's national soccer team said he is under no influence on how to choose the national players.

Participating in a press conference on Thursday, Miroslav Blazevic said, "Earlier, it was rumored that the Iranian Football Federation ordered me to pick up certain players and now they say the newspapers have the final say."

The Croat head coach scotched the rumor and added, "It's a baseless rumor and I do not allow anybody to decide on the lineup."

Talking about the friendlies in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia, Blazevic said, "At this stage, we have chosen these teams because the type of their football is similar to the football of teams that have been grouped with Iran."

Iran has to play powerful teams in order to find its weak and strong points, IRNA quoted the veteran coach as saying..

He revealed that Iran's Football Federation had invited the national teams of Croatia and Switzerland to take part in a four-side soccer tournament (LG) but they have not yet voiced their readiness.

Explaining about the rivals of Iran in Group A of World Cup qualifiers, Blazevic said, "I know little about their football but I acquire enough information in the future."

Asked whether he will be stripped of the post if Iran's performance is weak in the friendlies, the Croat said, "We have considered all aspects and planned an effective and systematic programs, enabling us to get good results."

Stating that he should acquire acceptable results for his survival, Blazevic said, "No one can help me and I have no alternative but success -- leading Iran to World Cup finals."

He expressed hope over some features of Iran's football and continued, "Iran is skilled in playing the ball in the air and nobody in the world can overcome the Iranian players in the air."

Blazevic pointed out, "Rahman Rezaei, Mahdi Hashemi-Nassab, Karim Baqeri and Ali Daei are "sky fliers" of Iran, who have the ability to beat every defense line."

Asked about the two players he has recently dropped, the head coach of Iran said, "Due to his inexperience, Mahdi Shiri was dropped and also I axed Dariush Yazdani because he did not attend the training sessions."

Blazevic referred to the flawed defense line of national side and promised to turn it to the most powerful line of squad.