体坛英语新闻：Iran, Japan sign agreement to cooperate in soccer

TEHRAN, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Japan have signed an agreement to cooperate at the level of national soccer teams as well as club competitions, Press TV reported on Wedneday.

The Presidents of the Football Federation of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, and Japan Football Association, Kozo Tashima, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday during a ceremony in the Iranian capital city of Tehran.

Holding training courses for Iranian male and female coaches and referees, organizing friendly games, exchanging expertise on sport and exercise medicine, construction of sports facilities as well as production of sports equipment are among the sectors on which both sides have agreed to cooperate.

"I view Japan as the standard basis of Asian football. Iran, Japan, China and South Korea can wield enormous influence in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) , and it is necessary to bring about a number of reforms to the AFC," Taj was quoted as saying in the ceremony.

For his part, Kozo Tashima said, "Some countries have no effect whatsoever on Asia's football, while some others are highly influential. Such states must receive further AFC support so that they can advance to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Japan always stands up for more rights for countries participating in FIFA World Cup."