Tehran
Team Melli returned to Iran on Friday after a 3 weeks training camp is South Africa cut short by 5 days. ISNA sought the impression of several Team Melli players on the condition of the camp and whether some of the talks about the unsuitability of the site was justified.
Jalal Hosseini , Team Melli and Persepolis defender expressed his views by starting with the climate in South Africa “It was ideal weather and the camp condition was quite comfortable. There was no environmental pollution as claimed by some reports in Tehran.”
“When all the players arrived, we had a good camp and friendly atmosphere prevailed. With the work we have done, I think we are physically ready. We will have 5 or 6 days rest in Tehran then fly to Vienna to start the Austrian camp. I guess we will continue working on the physical side there.”
“The kit situation was not so good. We used a single track suite which was provided for us for 15 days, we had to wash them and wear it for the next session.”
Hossein Mahini , the right back of Persepolis and one of the main contenders of the final 23 players list , expressed his dissatisfaction with the Training Kit supplied by UHLSport and claimed that the kit shrunk after one week of use in South Africa!
As for the training itself, Mahini said that this was a very compressed physical training like of which he has never experienced in Iran. “The tough training was carried out in two periods. in the morning and evening sessions every day. I think we have achieved what Queiroz is looking for.”
Asked if he is confident of making the final list to Brazil, Mahini said “not only it is his place that has many candidates , but all the rest of the places in Team Melli. Queiroz has many options. I just have to work hard to make it. That is all I can hope for”
Karim Ansdarifard , hopes that the effect of this training camp will be evident in Brazil.
“We had a good camp, but most of the work was basically physical training and conditioning, I hope that the work we have carried out here in South Africa, bears result in the World Cup”
“The weather was ideal but the training kit was not comfortable as the rest of the players already said”
Asked if he can make the final 23 players list, Tractorsazi’s forward said “ It is very difficult. Every player is trying to show his worth. At the end whatever God wants, will happen”
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari , Persepolis winger more or less repeated what Ansarifard and Mahini said about the camp and the kit. He hoped that the result of their training in South Africa reflects well in Brazil.
Khalatbari said that he is still a Persepolis player but he was quite concerned by the unresolved issue of the transfer fee with Ajman club , threatening his career and fears a suspension by FIFA. “Persepolis has not fully paid Ajman yet for my transfer, despite the promises. This is worrying me”