Iranian striker says his team will not be pushovers at 2018 World Cup

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Iran's international striker Karim Ansarifard said that his national team will not be easy opponents at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the Tehran Times has reported. "We will do everything in our power to make history in the 2018 World Cup. We want to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time," Ansarifard said on Friday, reports Xinhua news agency.

"To progress to the World Cup knockout stage is our dream. We believe in ourselves and [that] we can advance to the next stage," the Olympiakos striker said. "We need to work hard to prepare for the competition. We will not be an easy opponent for Spain and Portugal," Ansarifard added.

Iran have been drawn in Group B of the 2018 World Cup along with Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Iran will open their campaign with a match against Morocco in St. Petersburg on June 15.

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