Title: Beyond the Whistle: Esteglal Coach Focuses on League Ambitions Amidst Refereeing Dialogue
In the high-stakes environment of Iranian football, every match is a narrative of ambition, pressure, and national pride. As the Persian Gulf Pro League intensifies, one of its most storied clubs, Esteglal, is preparing for a pivotal clash, with its coach framing the encounter within broader themes of progress and unity in Iranian sports.
A Crucial League Encounter
Khosro Heidari, the head coach of Esteglal, has emphasized the profound significance of his team’s upcoming match against Fajr Sepasi Shiraz. In an interview with the club’s official media, Heidari positioned the game as a critical test, not just for points, but for momentum.
“Tomorrow’s match is very important for us, both technically and psychologically,” Heidari stated. He pointed to a recent positive result in the AFC Champions League as a catalyst, boosting the players’ morale and helping the team regain a stronger position in the Asian standings. “Now we want to maintain this momentum in the domestic league as well.”
The Road to the Top
Heidari conveyed a clear message to his squad about the journey ahead. “After returning to the league, we have had two matches with acceptable performances. All players must know that our main path in the league has just begun, and Esteglal is approaching its true level.” He called for redoubled motivation from his team to take firmer steps on the path to success.
Acknowledging the challenge, the coach described Fajr Sepasi as a “cohesive and highly motivated team” that has achieved good results against top-of-the-table sides since its promotion. “This indicates that we do not have an easy match ahead of us,” he cautioned.
Unity and Sportsmanship
Striking a tone of national sportsmanship, Heidari welcomed Fajr Sepasi’s return to the top flight as a “positive event for Iranian football.” He also praised the passionate fans of Esteglal in Shiraz, expressing hope for their strong presence to support the team and contribute to a beautiful match.
The game also features a compelling sideline narrative, pitting Heidari against Fajr Sepasi’s coach, Pirouz Ghorbani, a former captain of Esteglal. “Pirouz Ghorbani is from my generation,” Heidari noted. “He is among the new generation of Iranian football coaches who have achieved good results. I wish him success and hope tomorrow’s match will be an attractive and spectator-friendly game for both teams.”
A Call for Flawless Officiating
Addressing a topic of widespread discussion, Coach Heidari spoke on the role of officiating. While affirming that Amir Arab Baraghi is “one of the good referees of Iranian football,” Heidari acknowledged the natural sensitivities surrounding his appointments.
He referenced a specific incident in a prior match where, he stated, expert analysis confirmed a foul and penalty that was not reviewed by the VAR, a room where Arab Baraghi was present. Despite this, Heidari expressed a forward-looking hope: “We hope the refereeing in tomorrow’s match will be precise and error-free for both teams so that a healthy and beautiful competition can take shape.”
A Logistical Hurdle
Concluding his remarks, the coach raised a procedural concern regarding the match’s scheduling. Noting that most games are held at 6 or 7 PM, he questioned the decision to move this fixture to 3 PM. “This change disrupts the players’ nutrition and rest schedules and even affects team travel,” he explained. While firmly stating it was not an excuse, he added, “It was expected that the federation would make a more precise decision in scheduling match times.”
This highly anticipated match is scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 PM local time at Pars Stadium in Shiraz, where the drama of the Persian Gulf Pro League will once again unfold.