- Carlos Queiroz has cancelled a press conference that was supposed to be held this morning to brief the media about the progress of Team Melli training and the upcoming South African training camp. The Football Federation simply posted a note in their website announcing the cancellation without giving reasons or justifications.
- Javad Nekounam , Team Melli Captain who is currently playing for the Kuwaiti side , Al Kuwait Sport Club has informed ISNA , that he very much doubts that his club , involved in several competitions including AFC Cup, will afford to release him for the upcoming Team Melli training camp in South Africa. Kaffashian has pledged to intervene personally with Kuwaiti and Qatari clubs to release the Iranian players for the camp. That is simply a wishful thinking and hardly a step that any professional club will carry out especially if , like the Qatari and Kuwait teams, are involved in competition domestically and regionally. Kuwait SC, lost its last match against Fanja of Oman 2-1 , though the Kuwaiti team set up a tense finish as Nekounam headed home from Waleed Ali’s cross five minutes after the hour mark.
- Andranik Teymourian who has suffered injury which prevented him taking part in any football activity , is on the road of recovery. Esteghlal is still involved in the AFC Champion’s League but with two consecutive defeats , their chances are slim for qualification. However, if Teymourian is fit enough , he might well travel with the Team Melli squad to South Africa. Final ruling by the medical staff on Teymourian will be given just before Esteghlal’s game against Al Jazeera in the AFC Champions League.
- Carlos Queiroz said that any names that have been suggested by the media as his assistant coach is pure speculation. In a statement to Fars News Agency , Team Melli coach said ” I have not decided on the candidates yet. When the final decision is reached after a careful and meticulous process, then we will officially announce it to all. Anything that is being circulated now is pure speculation and not true.” Two assistant coaches left Team Melli camp abruptly. Tony Simoez , the Portuguese assistant coach and long time associate of Queiroz , resigned his post followed by Omid Namazi , the Iranian-American assistant coach. Both have cited family commitments as reason for their resignation, however speculation is rife that there are more to it than the customary family reason specifically 3 months before the World Cup.
- Ali Kaffashian stated that his federation has almost secured the service of Carlos Queiroz after his contracts runs out after the World Cup. Kaffashian did not confirm that a contract has been signed with the Portuguese coach but remained hopeful that it will be a formality. On the other hand, Querioz himself remains tight lipped about his future with Team Melli except for saying that he has several offers from outside Iran.