Iran’s Olympic Football Team Bets on Youth for Paris 2024 Qualification
In a decisive move to build for the future, Iran’s U-23 football team, under the guidance of Head Coach Omid Ravanhakh, has officially launched its Olympic project with a clear focus on the nation’s most promising under-21 talent.
A Strategic Vision for Long-Term Success
Following a decisive 4-0 victory over Hong Kong, Coach Ravanhakh has clearly outlined his strategic roadmap. The preparation for the Olympic qualifiers is centered on players who will remain within the U-23 age bracket for the next two seasons, ensuring continuity and development. This philosophy was put into immediate action during the recent match, where four U-21 players were named in the starting lineup, and a further four were introduced as substitutes.
This is not a mere statistic but a direct reflection of a core philosophy dedicated to selecting and developing the next generation of Iranian football stars.
Building a Team of Intensity and Stamina
Ravanhakh’s methodology is designed to instill intensity, speed, and physical resilience within the squad—attributes deemed critical for navigating the challenging group stages of the Asian qualifiers. Training sessions are being held at the same time as official matches to optimize player readiness. The tactical approach includes frequently rotating player positions and utilizing efficient, impactful substitutions.
This dual-purpose strategy aims to acclimate the team to high-pressure, physically demanding games while also ensuring tactical flexibility, allowing the squad to experience and adapt to multiple systems throughout a 90-minute match. In essence, Ravanhakh is constructing a younger-than-average squad for future-proofing; a team built to secure points today while simultaneously increasing its chances of securing an Olympic ticket tomorrow.
Systematic Selections for a Extended Development Window
This overarching framework provides context for recent team selection decisions. The choice to bench promising Persepolis winger Mojtaba Fakhrian, 22, is understood to be a systematic preference for players under 21. This policy is designed to maximize the development window available to players, ensuring a longer period of growth within the national team structure before they age out of the category.
While Fakhrian has missed the chance to feature in the current U-23 qualifiers, the talented winger continues his efforts to earn a spot and make his official debut under Coach Vahid Hashemian at the club level.