
Cape Town - Iran manager Carlos Queiroz along with the Iranian fans hailed their team's efforts as they held Portugal to a 1-1 draw after their World Cup exit.
Portugal boss Fernando Santos heaped praise on Iran and compatriot Queiroz after Iran narrowly missed out on the last 16 in a group that contained Spain and Portugal.
"Portugal were the better team but I have to congratulate Carlos Queiroz for the work he has done with Iran over the years, for the World Cup they played, for the fantastic way he set up his team."
Queiroz recently said of his players: "I'll never get tired of saying this, I've worked all over the world in different places and Iran's players are fantastic in terms of individual sacrifice, commitment and dedication. "I've never seen players deliver so much and receive so few things.
"With limited resources from the financial and infrastructure point of view they've become the number one team in Asia and they should be very proud."