Head Coach’s Resolve: Iran U-23 Team Eyes Redemption in Final Tournament Clash
Following two consecutive defeats in a preparatory tournament in Kyrgyzstan, Omid Rahnavand, the head coach of Iran’s U-23 national football team, has issued a determined rallying cry to his players. With one final match remaining, the team is channeling its focus on ending the tournament on a high note against Bahrain.
A Challenging Preparatory Ground
The Iranian squad traveled to the tournament as a crucial step in their preparations for the upcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Under the guidance of Coach Rahnavand, the team faced setbacks in their initial two matches against Russia and the host nation, Kyrgyzstan. The coach acknowledged the difficulties of the tournament’s structure, noting the challenge of playing three high-stakes matches within a seven-day span. He emphasized the team’s commitment to player welfare, stating that managing the players’ physical load for the final game was a priority to ensure their safe return to their respective clubs.
A Level Playing Field for the Finale
Looking ahead to the decisive match against Bahrain, Rahnavand framed it as a battle of equal resolve. “Bahrain, like us, has lost its two previous games,” he stated. “They undoubtedly want to finish the tournament with a victory, and we are entering the field with the very same motivation.” The stage is set for a competitive encounter where both teams are desperate to claim their first win and build positive momentum.
Focus on the Future
While reflecting on the previous matches, the coach pointed to operational challenges, specifically the application of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which he believed impacted the team’s performance. He expressed a view shared by other visiting teams that the tournament’s officiating dynamics presented an unforeseen hurdle. Despite these challenges, the core message from the camp remains forward-looking. The focus is squarely on learning from this experience, uniting as a team, and securing a victory against Bahrain to conclude this phase of their preparation with a renewed sense of confidence.