Interview :  Hamid Aziz Zadeh

Team Melli defender (Zob Ahan Esfahan)

Hamid Aziz Zadeh, the 21 year young Zob-Ahan Esfahan club defender, has been invited to the National team on two occasions. He played his first match as a substitute in the 2-3 loss to Slovakia in Azadi. This interview was conducted during the National team preparation for LG cup in Morocco.

ð Are You Happy with the training session with Team Melli?

Certainly. It is the ideal training. There so much work in tactical and technical aspects of the game that time passes without one feeling it and hence there is no physical or mental fatigue. Saying that, there is a lot of demand in training and being amongst the best players of the nation and the rigorous competition between the players, the expectations and the pressure is quite high.

ð Are you insinuating that there are huge differences between Team Melli training sessions and your club?

Not to the extent of what you have in mind. Beleive me that the training sessions of the club is conducted at the highest level and in par with major clubs of the world. However, in here, we are talking about a different environment and the pride of playing for my country plus the competition amongst the players. There is a subtle difference.

 ð How do you foresee the team’s defense line?

It goes without saying that we have the best defenders in the country in this camp. We will do our best and hope for the rest. I do hope to attract the attention of the technical management of the team, God willing.

ð In fact you have to compete with Sohrab Bakhtiyarizadeh for a place in the team’s line up?

I am a left half back, and I hope to utilize Sohrab Bakhtiyarizadeh valuable experience in order to overcome my own shortcomings. At the end of the day, it is the coach decision to pick the most suitable player for the match.

ð What type of treatment you receive from the senior players in the camp?

Fantastic! I can say no better than that! If I commit a mistake or when I fault, they surely let me know about it, and on the other hand if I do well, they are quick to applause me.

ð Did you expect this type of treatment before hand?

Truly and honestly, NO! Of course I heard that the senior players were good, but not to the extent that I am experiencing now. I must thank the whole lot of them for such a pleasant treatment.

ð What about the fans treatment?

Agha…..Nobody knows who I am !!! Regardless …. I will do my utmost to remain who I am and not change my attitude towards the fans, of course I will always aim to improve, so that I am not labeled as arrogant. In any case, the few fans that know me usually ask me questions.

ð LG Cup in Morocco would certainly be a good experience for you?

Certainly. If I am included in the line up, I will try my best to repay Ivankovic’s confidence in me by performing to expectation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the coaches who have worked hard on my career at club or national team levels, not t o forget my team-mates. Without them I would have not reached this stage. Thank you.