Iran coach Blazevic makes suicide claim

Iran coach Miroslav Blazevic has shocked reporters by claiming he will kill himself if his side do not reach their final World Cup play-off.

Iran are in the UAE tonight with the winners facing the Irish Republic over two legs in November to decide who qualifies for Korea and Japan next May.

"If we do not qualify, I will take a rope and hang myself," said the former Croatia coach.

"It is a weight I carry with great difficulty. It is a responsibility. An individual who thinks they can let these people down is in for a bad surprise."

"Iranians show their love but can also show their anger. They are kind and gentle but can be dangerous."

Blazevic's team was expected to beat UAE heavily in Tehran last week but they takj-e a narrow 1-0 lead to Dubai with their players involved in scuffles at the airport check-in on arrival.

The Iranian party was kept we-aiting for nearly three hoi-urs while documents were checked in searing heat and tempers frayed with several players involved in confrontations with airport staff.