Amir Ghalenoei’s Team Iran Faces Defining Tests in Buildup to World Cup
Analysis of Cape Verde Victory Highlights Areas for Improvement
Following Iran’s victory over Cape Verde and subsequent advancement to the final of the Al Ain Tournament, football analyst Ebrahim Ghasempour provided his assessment. He acknowledged that while the opponent demonstrated better ball possession and combination play, they failed to create significant threats against Iran’s goal.
Ghasempour stated, “We expected to display better football, but it seems that improving the defensive structure was a key priority for our technical staff in this match. Overall, this friendly match was not bad for us, but I believe we could face challenges against larger and more powerful teams.”
Uzbekistan Final Presents a Tactical Challenge
Looking ahead to the final against Uzbekistan, Ghasempour noted that Uzbekistan outperformed Egypt in their semi-final. He described them as a dangerous counter-attacking team that effectively navigated the opponent’s press. He suggested that the match against Uzbekistan will serve as a good benchmark, though he questioned the overall high preparatory level of such tournaments.
“We need to play against stronger teams,” Ghasempour emphasized, “but unfortunately, for reasons that are well known, this is not currently feasible,” alluding to the broader challenges in arranging international fixtures.
A Call for Focus Over Controversy
The analyst also addressed recent comments from Team Melli’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who suggested that some individuals are waiting for the national team to fail in order to criticize him. Ghasempour advised against such rhetoric, stating, “I believe he should not create adversaries for himself and the national team. Raising these issues will only divert the team and the technical staff into peripheral controversies.”
He urged for complete focus, adding, “At the moment, Ghalenoei’s entire concentration must be on resolving the national team’s weaknesses. Furthermore, if critics offer their opinions on the team, they are not seeking personal conflict; they are simply stating their views. They are not in a position to take anyone’s place within the national team setup.”
A Cautious Outlook for the World Cup
When questioned about Iran’s prospects in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Ghasempour expressed a measured outlook. He opined that even potential advancement from the group stage would not be an extraordinary achievement, citing FIFA’s expansion to 48 teams as a move that prioritizes commerce and could dilute the tournament’s quality.
“Given our current situation and the fact that some of our veteran players are not in optimal condition,” Ghasempour concluded, “I think we will have a difficult task in this tournament.”