TEHRAN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's national soccer team midfielder Ashkan Dejagah believed that Iran can end its 43-year title drought in the AFC Asian Cup, Tehran Times daily reported on Tuesday.
As Iran won its last of three triumphs in the AFC Asian Cup in 1976, and it will be 43 years when the UAE 2019 kicks off next January.
Iran has been drawn with Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen in Group D.
"We did well in the 2018 World Cup and narrowly missed the chance to reach the knockout phase. Since then, the Asian teams consider us as the favorites to win the title in Asian Cup. We also think it's time to end the title drought. We want to do our best in the competition and make the Iranian people happy," Dejagah said.
"Contrary to Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea, we faced lack of infrastructure. But we don't care about these problems and will fight tooth and nail to win the title," he said.
"Australia, Japan, South Korea as well as some Arabian teams are favorites to win the title," the current Tractor Sazi of Tabriz midfielder added.
