Title: Derby Discipline: Esteghlal Khuzestan Coach Emphasizes Ethics and Respect After Cup Exit
In the wake of a hard-fought cup derby, the coach of Esteghlal Khuzestan has taken a firm stance on the importance of player conduct, framing it as a matter of principle and development.
A Hard-Fought Derby
Following his team’s elimination from the Hazfi Cup by rivals Foolad Khuzestan on Sunday, Esteghlal Khuzestan’s coach, Amir Khalifeh Asl, addressed the media. He analyzed the match, acknowledging the predictable difficulty of the fixture.
“We anticipated a tough game against Foolad,” stated Coach Asl, “especially as we had only four training sessions after a 16-day break, which gradually wore down the players’ physical condition.”
Focus on Officiating and Fitness
The coach touched upon the match’s dynamics, suggesting that the outcome might have been different with different officiating. “I believe if the referee had managed the whistle a bit better, we could have achieved a better result,” he commented. He was quick, however, to thank his players for their wholehearted effort on the pitch and expressed relief that no new injuries occurred during the match, a concern given the team’s recent lack of training. He concluded this point by congratulating Foolad on their advancement.
A Lesson in Respect
The post-match discussion took a significant turn when the coach was asked about his decision to substitute player Hojjat Ahmad following a confrontation with Foolad’s senior player, Ali Nemat. Coach Asl provided a clear and principled explanation, highlighting a focus on player development beyond mere technical skill.
“Hojjat Ahmad is a player of great quality who was playing in the youth ranks just last year,” the coach explained. “But he must understand that alongside technical growth, he must also grow ethically. He had a verbal altercation with Ali Nemat in our previous match with Foolad as well.”
The coach underscored his personal commitment to this standard. “I value ethical matters just as much as I value technical ones. Ahmad must know that he should always respect his elders. For this reason, I took the responsibility upon myself to bring him off the field.” This decisive action positioned the coach as an authority figure instilling values of discipline and respect within the team framework.