Branko Ivankovic , former Team Melli coach in a short interview with ISNA, beleives that Iran missed a golden opportunity in the World Cup.  In regards to the recent Team’s performance in the World Cup , Ivankovic who was Iran’s coach in the last appearance in a World Cup in 2006 Germany , expressed his belief that “Iran should have been much more adventurous in the last game against Bosnia. The team should have played an offensive game plan because it had the potential.”

” I believe there is a big chance of winning the Asian Cup with this team” said Branko 

Branko Ivankovic is the most successful coach of Team Melli in the post revolution era.  He coached Iran U23 to the Asian Games Gold Medal in 2002, won the WAFF title in 2003 ,  lead Team Melli to third place in Asian Cup 2004 , then qualified Iran to the World Cup 2006.  

“Despite the fact that Bosnia teams has changed to the better and has many quality players, I think with the chance to qualify to the next round still alive , Iran team should have gone for it and gave it all it can , instead of sticking to the same defensive plan.” Ivankovic said “Of course , there will be a risk if a team is playing offensive football and be scored upon , but there was no choice. I was very disappointed to watch the last game against Bosnia , I think Iran missed a very good chance, it was not easy but certainly achievable.  The team could have made history for people of Iran in the last game.”

Iran should have taken a risk and played offensive against Bosnia

             Branko Ivankovic

“In the first two matches against Nigeria and Argentina, I think that defensive plan worked quite well . However , against Bosnia the game changed even before kick ogff. I really do not understand how the team will play with the same line up and the same defensive mentality, when it has to win the match ! If you have run a poll and asked Team Melli fan , I am sure that most of the Iranians wanted their team to go and attack to win the match.  The Iranian fans are the best and the deserve the best.  But in reality you must accept also that Bosnia was by far the better organized team in that match.”

“What do you think are the reasons behind Iran’s early exit ?”  the reporter asked.

“I am not with the team and definitely not aware of the circumstances around it. This question has to be directed to the team coach who has been with the team a long time now and is fully aware of everything surrounding the team especially his players. I can only judge on whatever I see on the TV screen.”

“Is there any significance that non of the Asian Teams qualified for the next round?”

“I don’t think that has any significance . Big teams such as Spain , Italy and England were eliminated from the first round. This is the World Cup where anything can happen. Sometimes teams achieve their objectives sometime thy fail.”

“For argument sake , if you were the team coach in Brazil , would you have opted to play a defensive game?”

“In the first game, I would be cautious and lean towards playing a tight defense, I would also extend that to the second game against a powerful opposition, but like I said earlier , there is no reason to play defense when you need to win and score goals.! A golden opportunity was missed for Iranian people and fans.”

” For the Asian cup 2015 , I believe that this team has the potential to lift the trophy after so many decades. Although the players gave it their best in the World Cup , they did not succeed however in Australia they can compensate for that failure.”

“What is your opinion on Carlos Queiroz continuing with Team Melli?”

“I heard that Hossein Faraki is going to take over the job.  He is a good coach, he worked with me and I have a lot of respect for his character. If he gets the job , I am confident that he will build a good team for the championship which can play with confidence.”

“Do you think that Team Melli needs to inject new younger players for the Asian Cup?”

“I cannot answer that question. It is up to the new coach to decide and I am sure whoever it is , he will pick what he believes is the best team.”

“What is you opinion on your own country’s team Croatia ?”

“We had a very good team and people are very disappointed that it did not qualify. We played very well in two games but against Mexico we were disappointing., This is football , what you wish is different than what is in reality.”