ROME - Iran's World Cup match against the United States will be like any other, national team coach Tomislav Ivic said Friday, and it's one he expects to win. Ivic and the players he's likely to bring to France '98 are preparing in Italy this month, using the training facilities of serie a clubs as Roma and Internazionale of Milan. I think our game with the Americans will be a normal game.

And like all other games, what's important is to have a good result, said Ivic, who spent one season in Italy in the 1980s as coach of Avellino. We know how the U.S. plays and I think we will do OK. Iran is in the World Cup for the first time since 1978, a year before the Islamic Revolution toppled the U.S.-backed Shah. The other teams in group F are Yugoslavia and European champions Germany. It's a very tough group for us.

For Germany and Yugoslavia it's very easy, Ivic said with a smile. Yugoslavia has a lot of individual talent. Germany has its strong bloc as always. The U.S. team, though, provides a less imposing obstacle, he said. The U.S. plays differently than you see in Europe, with pressing on the ball. It can be difficult for a team not used to that, Ivic said.

But a system always has good points and weak points, and we know that system's weak points. He insisted there won't be any non-soccer significance to the June 21 match with the U.S. I think both teams will exchange Jerseys at the end of the game, Ivic said. The Croat began cooperation with Iran in January, and said he is dedicating most of his time to working on his player's physical preparation.

In just a few months I have to do what a coach normally has three or four years to do, Ivic said. Our work has to be very intense, I don't have the time to do everything a team needs for the World Cup. Iran arrived in Rome on Monday and will play an exhibition match against as Roma at Olympic Stadium next week.

The squad then moves to Milan, before embarking on trips for tuneup games in Portugal and Croatia. (AP)