Iran choose Qalehnoie to succeed Ivankovic

TEHRAN, July 17, 2006 (AFP) - Iran named Amir Qalehnoie as the country's new football coach on Monday to succeed Croatian Branko Ivankovic who left following the team's first round exit at the World Cup. Qalehnoie recently took Esteghlal to the Iranian league title. Ivankovic, who had been in charge since 2002, quit after Iran finished the World Cup in Germany with just one point from three Group D games. The Iranian press had already called for Ivankovic to go after Iran lost to Mexico and Portugal but although they salvaged some pride with a scrappy draw against the Angolans, it was a bitterly disappointing campaign for what had been considered the best Iranian team for decades.