Your latest World Cup headlines on Friday, November 25.
Iran manager's touching message to Wales as Bale 'among best'
Carlos Queiroz described Gareth Bale as "one of the best" ahead of Iran's crucial World Cup showdown with Wales.
Bale is set to become the most capped men's Welsh international of all time when he leads his side out against the Iranians at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. He will surpass Chris Gunter's tally of 109 caps for the Red Dragons and goes into the fixture as one of only four Welshmen to score at a World Cup.
And Queiroz - who was assistant coach to Sir Alex Ferguson when Manchester United were eager to sign Bale - says the Welshman's career achievements speak for themselves.
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"He is one of the best," said the 69-year-old. "In this moment, he is not only the top player of the team, but also the character.
"He is the leader of everything inside the pitch in terms of conducting the stability of the team, managing the tempo of the game. He's a very intelligent player.
"I didn't have the opportunity to work with him, despite the fact he was one of the players in those days we tried to bring him in. His career speaks for itself."
Both sides realistically need all three points in Friday's meeting if they are to stand any chance of reaching the last-16 of the World Cup. Nevertheless, despite the pressure on his side, Queiroz took the chance to praise Wales for reaching the grandest stage of world football for the first time in 64 years when facing the media in his pre-match press conference.
“Welcome to the big show for Wales after 64 years. It is incredible to see the Red Wall in the stadium," he said.
"It's a team full of character and a spirit. They have working ethics. We need to be careful with that because they're really dangerous in terms of enthusiasm, intensity and continuity.
"Teams like Wales, first minute or minute 90, they play the game in the same way. We need to be ready for that. I hope tomorrow we'll be able to express our football better."
'Dying breed' to terrorise Iran
Iwan Roberts believes Kieffer Moore will be pivotal to Wales' hopes of beating Iran.
The striker started on the bench in the 1-1 draw with the USA but changed the game in his side's favour after replacing Daniel James at half-time.
Rob Page is expected to include Moore in his starting line-up to face Iran today, and ex-Wales frontman Roberts says the Bournemouth star's array of talents can cause Carlos Queiroz's side heaps of problems
“The Iranians will be very, very wary of Kieffer Moore and maybe a bit terrified of the unknown,” says Roberts. “They will look at his impact and be wary. They will look at the goals he’s scored recently and be wary. They should be wary.
“The goals he has scored for Wales and Bournemouth and the impact he had against the USA should justify them being wary.
“Players here at the World Cup are not used to someone who holds the ball up, lays it off, and then gets to the back post. He’s a dying breed.
“These days, defenders don’t have to face that too often. They are not used to it. He is so strong that even defenders who are big themselves find it hard to deal with.”
Watch S4C’s live coverage of Wales v Iran from 9.15am today.
No One Love gestures planned for Wales v Iran
Rob Page confirmed Wales will not be following Germany's lead by making a gesture in respect of the One Love campaign during their clash with Iran.
The Germans covered their mouths ahead of their 2-1 defeat to Japan in response to FIFA's message that teams making political gestures at the World Cup would be sanctioned.
It came after Wales - along with Group B rivals England - backed down on their decision to wear the One Love armband at the tournament. And Page has said he wants his played to focus solely on football matters at present.
“No, we have campaigns going on that we are fully supportive of as an association and as a Welsh government," said the head coach when asked if Wales had any plans to make a stand for the One Love campaign.
"I want my players to focus fully on playing games of football and winning games. I am sure Germany now, in hindsight, will probably have the same message.”
While Wales will not be performing a specific gesture during their clash with Iran, captain Gareth Bale admitted his side still fully support the One Love campaign.
"Yeah, we weren’t too happy about not being able to wear it with the sanctions that could have been put in place," said the 33-year-old.
"I know people have said we should have just worn it but I would’ve been sent off after about 25 minutes. Of course we support it but we’re here to play football at the same time. Just by not wearing the armband doesn’t mean we don’t support it. We’re all for equality and we’re trying to do the right thing, create that awareness.
"In terms of doing something else, I guess when teams try to do something else and the result doesn’t go the right way they get criticised for not concentrating on the football so for us, now that the tournament’s started we really need to concentrate on the football ourselves. Outside of the game, if there’s anything we can do to raise awareness or support we’ll definitely do that. "
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