Klinsmann views Iran game important for 2006 World Cup title bid

IRNA -- German national football team headcoach Juergen Klinsmann stressed the importance of the upcoming friendly match with Iran for his country`s 2006 World Cup title bid.
"These kind of games like with Iran are eminently important, especially when you have the chance to play away from home. It`s an important experience for each player, especially the younger players whom we are trying to give step by step a chance in the national team," Klinsmann said in an exclusive interview with IRNA here Monday.
"We have the advantage that we don`t have to qualify (for the 2006 World Cup). So we have the possibility to view each game that we play as preparations for the 2006 World Cup. Of course, for Iran this match is of utmost importance as it wants to go to the 2006 World Cup," the German trainer added.
Klinsmann stressed it would be interesting to see how his players would react to the atmosphere at Tehran`s Azadi Stadium as more than 100,000 people are expected to attend the football friendly between the triple World Cup and Asian Cup winners.
"To play in front of 100,000 people in Tehran, that`s something else, even for a seasoned professional player who has already played at the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona or in Milan. One has to adopt to it and maintain his cool to be able to show his optimal performance," he said.
The 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Cup title holder voiced "respect" for the Iranian national team, saying it was no coincidence Iran was leading its Asian first-round World Cup qualifying group.
Klinsmann also expressed hope that Iran would make it to the 2006 World Cup despite what he called a "very difficult" qualification round in the Asian zone.
Asked about criticism in the Iranian media over his "insulting" cheers after he scored a crucial goal against Iran in the preliminary round of the 1998 World Cup, the trainer said, "This goal jubilation was related to the enormous pressure which our own media had put on us. But for God`s sake, it had nothing at all to do with Iran."
He added: "No, no I have the highest respect for each country and each national team and this includes Iran."
The match on October 9 will be Germany`s visit to Tehran. The two sides have played just once -- a World Cup group match in 1998 which Germany won 2-0 on goals by Juergen Klinsmann and Oliver Bierhoff.