Carlos Queiroz's Iran can prove they're no shrinking violets at 2014 World Cup

It’s been 16 years since West Asia won a game at the World Cup. It’s been eight since one of its teams participated. This June, Iran are representing the region at the biggest sporting event on the planet.

The world may be underestimating Team Melli but that can only be good news for coach Carlos Queiroz and his men. They can make West Asia proud.

It is not a surprise that few rate Iran’s chances on the pitch when what happens off it seems more interesting. The international media doesn’t really know if stories of players only being handed one shirt for the entire tournament, a garment that also shrinks in the wash, are true but it makes for great copy.

And to be honest, there has not been much action on the pitch to give writers something to write about since qualification was secured last June with a 1-0 win over South Korea. That was a snarling yet ultra-disciplined performance from Team Melli in one of the toughest destinations in Asia with the result and qualification in the balance until the final whistle - one greeted by an up yours gesture from Queiroz to opposite number Choi Kang-hee.

Choi, if he was still in the job and if he did actually smile, would perhaps allow himself perhaps a little smirk right about now. Since that rainy evening, Korea have played 14 warm-up games, to be 15 on Wednesday against Tunisia, Iran has managed just two to date. Preparation has been something of a mess.

Over the years, surely no national team has had as many games cancelled than Iran. Attracting teams to Tehran is tough and funds needed to play strong opposition elsewhere have been hard to come by, not helped by international sanctions that have left the Iranian Football Federation unable to collect monies owed from overseas. In years to come Iran’s build-up will be used as an example of how not to prepare for a World Cup.

Yet, despite all the troubles, the jokey headlines in the international media and the expectations that Messi, Dzeko and Aguero will run riot this June, Iran can surprise.

This is a team that will be as well-drilled and well-organised as any in Brazil, all led by a coach with extensive international experience and an ability to make teams hard to beat. If the opposition see Iran as an easy three points then all the better for a team that likes to sit very deep and hit on the counter-attack.

Unlike 2006, Iran’s last appearance, when a talented team was defeated by Portugal, Mexico and especially themselves, there will be no splits in the dressing room in Brazil along the Ali Daei-Ali Karimi faultline.

The players know that their chance of immortality lies with Queiroz. Only by following his instructions to the letter can they become the first Iranians, at the fourth attempt, and only the second in West Asia, to progress past the group stage to the promised land of the knockout stage. Only then can stars such as Javad Nekounam and Andranik Teymourian, veterans of 2006 and two of the nicest players you can meet, get what they deserve.

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Queiroz demands a lot of his players in training, with drills practiced again and again. Don’t like it and you’re out. Experienced goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati quit the team early in 2013, reportedly after criticism from the coach. He later apologized and tried to return. Plenty think he should be in the squad, at least, but not the one that matters.

There is certain pragmatism however. After telling Foolad that none of their players would be called up to the World Cup after the club refused to release them for a training camp, due to Asian Champions League commitments, Queiroz eventually relented.

At times, the former Manchester United assistant, has fallen out with players, the federation and the media but he has always kept the country behind him. It is rare for an interview to go by without the boss praising the passion of the fans and their support for the team. He is never slow to remind the players of their responsibility to one of the most football-loving nations around.

The coaching staff insist that the troubles of the preparation period have helped to strengthen team spirit and if Queiroz learned anything under Alex Ferguson then surely it was how to use outside criticism to forge a steely siege mentality.

Iran know the world expects failure. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. Iran may surprise a few in the next few weeks and after a decade in which West Asian football has done little of note on the world stage, may just make the region proud.

* John Duerden is a Middle East and Asia football correspondent for Yahoo Maktoob Sports as well as the Guardian, ESPN & World Soccer. He also writes for New York Times, AP, Daily Telegraph and various other Asia media outlets. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnnyDuerden