Portugal, Spain favourites but Santos wary of Morocco and Iran

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos is cautious of Morocco and Iran, after being drawn in the same group as Spain for the 2018 World Cup.

Published : Dec 02, 2017 14:32 IST

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos
Portugal head coach Fernando Santos
lightbox-info

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos

Fernando Santos acknowledged European champion Portugal and 2010 World Cup winner Spain assume favouritism in Group B, though he refused to underestimate Morocco and Iran.

Portugal and neighbouring Spain will go head-to-head at the World Cup in Russia next year, along with Morocco and Iran following Friday's draw.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal – which claimed EURO 2016 – and Spain headline the group but Santos is wary of Morocco and Iran, who made it through their respective CAF and AFC qualifying campaigns undefeated.

"It's a very deceptive and treacherous group. Portugal have to accept that we are one of the favourites but if you look in a bit more detail, you can see it's very difficult," Santos said.

FIFA World Cup 2018 draw

"Spain are naturally favourites, as I've always said."

Santos added: "Morocco have scored goals and conceded none. This shows the strength of the team, there are players who have already played in Portugal, [Mehdi] Benatia who played for Juventus, and the quality of the coach.

READ:  As the draw happened

"Iran had a good qualifying campaign, the second time they are in the World Cup, have experience and the coach also, maybe one of the most experienced of this World Cup. Also had a good performance, no defeat, conceded goals only in the last game when it was already qualified. It's going to be a difficult tournament."

Portugal and Spain will face-off at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi on June 15, while Morocco and Iran clash in Saint Petersburg.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment