Iran coach Tomoslav Ivic ...

Iran coach Tomoslav Ivic has been telling reporters that his side can beat the likes Holland and Germany at the World Cup.

However, he stopped short of making confident predicions about the game against the USA.

There are fears that this match in Lyons on June 21st could represent the major security concern of the tournament. Yesterday, Muslim extremists were linked to a plot to cause explosions in France this summer after the arrest of eight Algerians in London.

Ivic does not want to increase the tension surrounding the game. Expressing confidence in Iran's ability to defeat Germany may be sheer bravado on his part but attacks on the USA will easily be taken out of context.

The Croatian coach has had a tough start to his tenure in charge of the Iranian national side and he may be trying to take attention away from the hostile reception he received from fans in Tehran three weeks ago.