Title: Persepolis Legend Advocates for Goalkeeping Change in National Team
Subheading: Beirooz Soltani calls for Alireza Beiranvand to be benched in favor of Payam Niazmand, while also addressing Persepolis’s domestic challenges.
In a significant intervention, Persepolis icon Beirooz Soltani has publicly urged national team coach Amir Ghalenoei to make a pivotal change to the starting lineup, advocating for a new first-choice goalkeeper ahead of crucial international fixtures.
A Call for Change Between the Posts
Soltani, a former national team goalkeeper himself, did not mince words regarding the current situation. While expressing his personal respect for Ghalenoei, he presented a stark assessment of veteran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
“Amir Ghalenoei is a good friend of mine, and I ask him to use Payam Niazmand in the national team’s goal,” Soltani stated. “Beiranvand is past his peak and is making too many mistakes. He is now so involved in the peripheral aspects of football that he no longer has the merit to be the national team’s goalkeeper. He might serve as an experienced backup, but he lacks the mental and spiritual readiness for a World Cup.”
Strong Endorsement for Niazmand
In contrast, Soltani offered high praise for Persepolis’s current goalkeeper, Payam Niazmand, describing him as a worthy and capable successor. He pushed back against critics of the club’s decision to sign him.
“We must be fair and say that Niazmand was in need of a worthy successor. He is a complete goalkeeper and has saved Persepolis many times in recent weeks,” Soltani asserted. He acknowledged that Niazmand has some issues with coming off his line but emphasized that his shot-stopping abilities have been vital for the club, especially given the changes in the defensive line.
Addressing Persepolis’s Domestic Form
Shifting focus to the Red Giants’ performance in the domestic league, Soltani expressed concern over the team’s series of draws. While noting that a recent friendly victory was a positive morale booster, he argued that the team’s playing style must evolve to meet fan expectations.
“Our fans love beautiful, attacking football, which unfortunately Persepolis only deploys when there is little time left to score,” he observed. Soltani directly advised head coach Vahid Hashemian to adopt a more aggressive tactical approach.
“I recommend Vahid Hashemian send his team onto the field more offensively. Persepolis is not a team that should play with one striker. We can attack the opponent’s goal with two, or even three, forwards and pressure their defensive line into making errors. Unfortunately, Persepolis mostly plays too defensively.”
Soltani concluded with a note of cautious optimism, expressing hope that a victory in their upcoming match would be the start of a successful run for the club, while also hinting that the current trajectory cannot continue indefinitely without consequences.