Iran Relies On The Date With Destiny Trainer
"It's my job to win with Iran against anybody we face," he said after Team Melli outpowered United Arab Emirates 3-0 to finish as the only team in the group with three consecutive victories.
The fight is a twist of fate for 46 years who grew up in America and built his career in South Korea, which begins as a game analyst for the Dutchman Guus Hiddink as he guided them to World Cup 2002 semifinals.
Ghotbi said he would have preferred to meet South Korea in the final final champions three times Iran's title drought of 35 years.
"The Korean players know that my feeling towards them, and the Korean people I know feel about them," he said.
"We're seeing many, many times when a coach is a coach of a team feel worked. But I feel like a simple fact that Iran is winning.
"No matter who we play against, regardless of the setting we use, we played with the organization and players in Iran have enough individual quality within the organization to achieve our goals."
Ghotbi, who was also assistant coach of the Warriors in other Taeguk Dutchman Dick Advocaat and Pim Verbeek until 2007, said he had a "vision very, very deep knowledge of how the Korea Game "and" psychological side. "
"I think it gives me a little advantage, and we will try to capitalize on this advantage to win."
V United Arab Emirates, Ghotbi tested a number of reservations on its part has already secured eight beds, after beating the old enemy in Iraq, and holders and World Cup finals in North Korea.
They waited until the 70th minutes to open their account when Arash Afshin hit. Mohammad Nori doubled their lead on 83 minutes and UAE defender Walid Abbas made things worse by a goal against his net in stoppage time.
South Korea has a great coach and one of the best captains that you can have, "Ghotbi said, referring to the Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung.
"So it will be a very tough match for any team.
"The two teams have met many times, and have a good competition and respect between the two countries."
Iran and South Korea have competed in the Asia Cup in four consecutive years since 1996 - while the quarter-final -. "Fatal Attraction" in what South Korean media called
They won two matches and lost two against each other, including the 2007 battle which ended with South Korea on penalties against Iran 4-2 on penalties after a stalemate with no end.
"Asia's World Cup without this match, there's Asian Cup," said Ghotbi, corresponding to the beginning of 2009, when it leads them to the 2010 World Cup.
"I expect a great game and I hope the world is also one of the most exciting matches of Asian football."
And his eyes on the ultimate price.
"I believe that we can keep this trophy heads, 29 January," said the final day of the Asian Cup, and added that the objective has been to many times "by" despite the skepticism of the media.
"But maybe you think the 29 January in this same, very strong feeling I have."