Three times Asian Cup champions, Iran are confident of securing three points from their first Group C match against Uzbekistan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, here, tomorrow evening.

"We are confident of winning the first game against Uzbekistan although we know our opponent are strong and eyeing the top places for the final round in Jakarta," Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei told reporters through a translator at a pre-match press conference today.

Amir said he had decided the first eleven, stronger than the last World Cup 2006 team, to win not only the first games but also to bring back the trophy to Tehran after losing through penalty kicks to China in the Asian Cup semi-finals in 2004.

Iran, champions in 1968, 1972 and 1976, are together with host Malaysia, China and Uzbekistan in Group C.

Ghalenoei said his team would play attacking football in tomorrow’s match. Iran usually use three strikers (4-3-3 formation) for attacking.

Iran have several European-based players in the squad such as Mehdi Mahdavikia ( Eintracht Frankfurt), Andranik Teymourian (Bolton Wanderers), Rahmen Razaei (Livorno), Vahid Hashemien (Hannover) and Ali Karimi, a former Bayern Munich player.

"The strikers will have no problems scoring tomorrow. We had scored 12 goals in two friendly matches, which helped build our players’ confidence," Ghalenoei said.

In their last two friendly matches in preparing for the Asian Cup, Iran hammered Jamaica 8-2 and Ghana 4-0.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan head coach, Rauf Inileev said their first match against Iran, one of the strongest teams in Asia, would not be a pleasure for them.

"Iran played in the final round of the World Cup last year and they currently have many European-based players to strengthen their team, especially in midfield and up front," he added.

However, Inileev said his team were ready for tomorrow’s match although they would be without their main striker, Maksim Shatskikh, who is suspended for one match because of a red card but his replacement is also capable of scoring goals.

Uzbekistan hope to steal a point against Iran to secure a place in the second round before facing Malaysia (July 15) and China (July 18).