Tehran.
In the post-match news conference, Javad Nekounam expressed his deep concern and disappointment with the state of affairs in the football federation. After the 3-1 win of Esteghlal against Sorinet Rah Ahan, where Nekounam scored the third goal from the penalty spot, the Captain of Team Melli was highly critical of the management of football and lack of true support from the authorities, expressing his dismay and apprehension with the current affair of Team Melli and football in general in Iran. The Nekounam was particularly bitter about the cancellation of Team Melli training camp which was supposed to be held in Portugal. He said that the players have done their utmost best and delivered by qualifying for the World Cup, but the rewards was not only not forthcoming , because of financial difficulties, even the basic requirement for preparation of the team towards the world cup has been neglected by cancelation of this scheduled training camp and friendly matches.” This is simply undermining the Team Melli preparation. “According to Nekounam.
“I thank God that our next match against Thailand is an official match that cannot be cancelled. With such a state of affairs, don’t expect much from Team Melli in the World Cup. You need to lower your expectations from our team because we simply cannot produce the goods at World Cup level with such poor programming and ill-preparation. We should be more than content at whatever we can possibly achieve in Asia and that is all.” Nekounam addressed the media in the press conference.
In one of the strongest criticism targeting the football federation and the country’s leaders, Nekounam said “The players and the coaches have done their job admirably. Under difficult circumstances, against the odds and while our backs was to the wall, we have won, achieved qualification and even topped our group. The hierarchy, the federation and the administrators on the other hand, did not deliver anything that they have promised.”
“Not only the resources that were available to Team Melli have not improved, it has in fact it has deteriorated. Qualifying for the World Cup is the dream of every nation in the world. It is a glorious honor for teams and most countries cherish such event and give all the support and resources available, but not in our country. All we received was promises after promises.” Nekounam stated in a veiled reference to the former President Mahmoud AhmadiNejad , a staunch Team Melli fan, who promised so much but delivered very little , if anything, towards the team.
A reporter asked Nekounam, why Carlos Queiroz was dozing off during the match today, Nekounam said that the Portuguese coach cannot be blamed. “He is upset. At the end of the day, although he is trying his best to produce a quality team that will be the pride of the people, he is facing all sorts of difficulties and hurdles. So , I suppose he will simply fulfill his contract by gathering the 20 odd players and take them to Brazil, as hope for the best. As simple as that.”
Ghalenoei grievances
In the same press conference, Nekounam’s coach at Esteghlal and the former Team Melli coach, Amir Ghalenoei , exposed the unpleasent condition that his players and staff are exposed to by the club with the club holding payment of their wages. After Esteghlal laborious win in the Persian Gulf League against Sorinet Rah Ahan, coach expressed his bitterness and embarrassment with the team condition. “ After the difficult game in the Asian Champions league match on Wednesday, where the players spent so much energy to maintain the result, we had to face yet another match against a good team in the league. It is only the integrity and the principle of the players that is keeping this team intact, else how can one expect these players to give their %100 while they have not been paid! I feel ashamed and embarrassed to face the players and staffs. I feel their pain and I simply feel very uncomfortable to criticize their performance on the field, under these circumastances. I really feel bad because I am as quite helpless and cannot do much for the players, coaches and support staff to get their salaries and expenses. ”
Ghalenoei was also critical of the league scheduling. “We played in the Champions League 4 days ago , while all the other teams had a 6 days’ rest. What would have wrong with giving us one day extra rest and playing on Monday?. While sometimes the league is stopped for Team, Melli programs for over two or three weeks, meaning no matches, suddenly we have t play 3 matches in a matter of a week.!”