6/4/2006
SLOBODAN LEKIC, Associated Press Writer

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany — Dozens of Iranian fans carrying red, white and green flags braved the wind and rain on the airport's apron to greet the incoming players. A German band dressed in medieval costumes was on hand to welcome the team with martial drumbeats and fanfares.

"This is Iran's best team ever and we want it to go into the second round of the tournament. We also want many victories," said Mohammed al Hakim, a 15-year-old student who had driven 250 miles from Frankfurt for the team's arrival.

This World Cup will be Iran's third appearance at soccer's premier tournament. Iran was eliminated in the first round in 1978 and 1998, when it scored its only victory by beating the United States in a politically charged grudge match. This time around, it faces Mexico, Portugal and Angola in first-round Group D.

"We are ready and I expect that we will do very well," said the team's Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic. "Portugal and Mexico are clearly the favorites, but we can surprise anyone."

In warmup matches in the past week, Iran drew with Croatia 2-2 in the Croatian town of Osijek, and won 5-2 against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Tehran. Ivankovic is banking on German-based players Ali Karimi Mehdi Mahdavikia and Vahid Hashemian to anchor the team.

"I am happy to be here in Germany, for me it's like playing at home," said Karimi, a striker for German champion Bayern Munich.