TEHRAN, March 2: Iran have appointed an Iranian-American, Afshin Qotbi, as the country’s new national coach, the semi-official Fars news agency quoted the deputy head of Iran’s Football Federation (FFI) as saying on Sunday.

Mehdi Taj said the 45-year-old was chosen over four other Iranian candidates for the position.

“Qotbi will coach the national team in the first round of the World Cup qualification games against Kuwait, Syria and the United Arab Emirates,” Fars quoted Taj as saying.

Efforts to appoint Spanish coach Javier Clemente failed this month over his refusal to stay in the Islamic state.

Iran, without a head coach since last July, made a disappointing start to their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Syria earlier this month.

The second game will be against Kuwait in March.

—Reuters