IVANKOVIC TO DECIDE OVER KARIMI

PA Sport - Iran manager Branko Ivankovic has yet to decide whether former Asian Player of the Year Ali Karimi will take any part in his team's final game at the World Cup, when they take on Angola on Wednesday.

The Iranians go into the game with no chance of progressing to the second round and Ivankovic has yet to determine whether Karimi will play or whether he will be left on the bench after a display of petulance following his substitution during a 2-0 loss to Portugal.

"Karimi made one disciplinary mistake and of course the situation will be discussed when we go back to Iran," said Iran's Croatian coach.

"He is not suspended but it's a big question whether he will play. It is my decision.

"He was not satisfied with his substitution, as it is for many players of course."

Karimi was replaced by Ferydoon Zandi 65 minutes into Iran's second Group D clash and reacted angrily by kicking a kit bag into the players' bench before refusing to sit with his team-mates for the remainder of the game.

Ali Daei, meanwhile, could be in line to finish his international career by starting against the Angolans after missing the Portugal game with a back injury as the Iranians aim to finish their World Cup with a victory.

"I have some idea in my mind about the team," said Ivankovic.

"We have three positions which are open at the moment and tonight I will make my final decision."

The Iranians came to Germany with high hopes of making it through to the second round despite being drawn to face Mexico and Portugal and Ivankovic claimed injuries had played a major role in his team's disappointing results.

"We have had problems with our four Bundesliga players," he said, referring to Karimi, Zandi, Mehdi Mahdavikia and Vahid Hashemian.

"They could not participate in the preparations properly and in the last three months they didn't have good training or competitive games.

"It's very hard in 15 days for players to get into good form, especially competition form. It was unlucky for us. We tried to do our best.

"Karimi was out for three or four months, Zandi and Hashemian were out for two or three months and Mahdavikia did not do much training for the 15 days before the tournament.

"They were not 120% fit and for the World Cup it's not enough to be 100% fit, you have to be 120% ready."