Rewritten Title: National Football Team’s Style Under Scrutiny as World Cup Looms
Article:
A former coach of Iran’s national football team has voiced significant concerns about the team’s current playing style and preparedness for the upcoming global tournaments, warning that a change is necessary for success.
A Friendly Win, But Questions Remain
While acknowledging the value of a recent friendly match, the former coach pointedly noted that the opponent was not a top-tier team. He admitted to enjoying the match but was quick to temper any over-optimism, stating that the performance level displayed remains far below what is required to compete with the world’s football powerhouses on the sport’s biggest stage.
Identifying Systemic Weaknesses
The analysis delved into specific technical shortcomings plaguing the squad. “We have a problem with the speed of our passes and the speed of moving the ball, and this is a very important issue,” he stated. Emphasizing a collective responsibility, he clarified that he does not place the blame solely on the head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, indicating that the challenges are broader and more systemic.
He was particularly critical of the team’s offensive capabilities. “We will not be successful in the World Cup with this style of play,” he asserted, adding that the attack must see significant improvement. He also commented on the current form of star striker Mehdi Taremi, noting a visible dip in his performance.
A Call for Constructive Criticism
Addressing the coach’s recent comments about critics waiting for the team to fail, the former coach defended the role of public scrutiny. He affirmed that criticism of the national team is not only acceptable but essential, and that the coaching staff should pay close attention to it. “We have problems that we must work on, and with this situation, we will not get a result in the World Cup,” he reiterated, framing the critique as a necessary step toward improvement.
Concerning Conduct from a Key Player
The former coach concluded with pointed remarks directed at national team defender Shoja Khalilzadeh, expressing bewilderment over his recent social media behavior. He questioned the player’s use of ambiguous language, writing and deleting posts, asking, “What is the meaning of these actions?!”
“If he has a specific audience in mind, why doesn’t he speak clearly?” he continued, also taking issue with a statement that seemed to criticize the public. “It is these very people and fans who made you Shoja Khalilzadeh.” He stated that regardless of Khalilzadeh’s academic background, such behavior and rhetoric are unbecoming of a national team player.