'Football gods bless those who score', says Iran coach Queiroz

Doha : Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said his team deserved at least a draw against the United States after their 1-0 defeat on Tuesday was enough to end the side's dreams at the World Cup.

Iran needed at least a draw in the Group B clash to have a chance of reaching the knockout stages, but the United States won through Christian Pulisic's goal seven minutes before halftime to go through and play the Netherlands in the last 16.

"Football gods bless those who score goals, and unfortunately we didn't score," Queiroz told a news conference.

"I said before the match that the United States were the most consistent team in the first two games," he added, referring to their draws with Wales and England, who qualified as group winners after beating the Welsh 3-0.

"The United States started the match as they did against Wales and England, and they were better than us, more ferocious and faster, and scored a goal, and I was not surprised by that.

"But in the second half the situation changed and we took possession of the ball and created more chances than the United States did in the first half and we deserved to score at least a goal.

"The United States players have the speed and if I may say when you play against Ferraris you need to close the highway, and that's what we did after the break and we were the better team."

The Portuguese coach praised his players for their commitment and efforts in training and matches.

"We train in an atmosphere that is not comparable to other teams, but when I work with the players on a daily basis they show enthusiasm and desire to represent Iran," he said.

Queiroz, who returned to coach Iran for a second stint last September, declined to talk about the last play of the match in which Iran's players