Iran

Iran have been one of the powerhouse of Asian football and are the worthy representatives from Asia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

However, the quailification round for the Iranians was not all that easy as they suffered a humiliating home defeat to Jordan in June 2004.

But they were soon back on track and their good showing at the AFC Asian Cup gave them the confidence back.

Branko Ivankovic's team went on to win the return match with Jordan to bring back its qualification campaign back on track.

The victory over Japan, in which striker Vahid Hashemian played a crucial role, saw Iran going on to win its next four matches to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup.

Iran, three times champions of Asia, reached their first FIFA World Cup as the continent's sole representatives at Argentina 1978.

Coach Ivankovic was originally the assistant to his predecessor, Miroslav Blazevic, who quit after Iran mised the bus to Korea/Japan 2002.

The players to watch out for are Ali Daei, Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavika and Hashemian.