The team that entered the qualifications was basically the same team that played in the AFC Asian Cup 1996 in Emirates. In the aftermath of homeland’s very disappointing failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, the team went through a major re-building. A young coach called Mohammad Mayeli-Kohan was given the responsibility in 1996. The daring coach made major changes dispensing with older players and bringing a large contingent of younger talents, some of whom were unknown to many fans.