Carlos Queiroz, Iran’s national soccer team manager spoke on Friday for the first time since the announcement of the squad list for Thailand game. A list which was heavily criticized by some experts and league clubs. Queiroz , who has been avoiding the media for some time now, hence creating more rumors about some difference with the FFIRI,  or impending departure from Iran . For the first time, he spoke about his justifications on some of the more controversial players selections. He also complained about  “some people start too much talking, their talk takes less value and would not receive professional attention, I would prefer to do less talking and more working such as spending time to coordinate matters related to the national team.”  Marginalizing his critics in the process.

“It is important to carry out our tasks as soon as possible without much fuss and the best possible way is to enforce it is by training. We do not have much time and have the smallest squad, we will use this opportunity to succeed.”

The coach said the game against Thailand is very important, “in fact all the games of the national team is of paramount importance, especially because this one is an official game and part of qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2015. We have lost two valuable training camps; it is not good for the national team. We must make the best use of the current camp to prepare for Thailand and beyond.”

“When I am abroad and visit different countries, I coordinate the accommodation arrangements, like negotiating with the various hotels and other venues for training. Unfortunately there have been some rumors about my travels. Those really do not matter, but some people speak too much. For me what is important is that we reach our goal, and when this coordination visits are carried out, it is to service these goals by relaying on my professional experience which I like to benefit Iran’s football.”

Sometimes people who talk a lot but I prefer not to talk too much.

In his justification in selecting some players , Queiroz said “

“I dare say that I and my colleagues have watched more than 95% of the League matches either closely or have watched the recordings of them. In any case, there are some things that we need to consider when selecting the players list. After the last match against South Korea, we had no opportunity to convene and practice. This camp is a good chance; the goal was to be able to maintain the basic structure of team. It is also an opportunity to have a close look at some younger players like Yaghoub Karimi and Jahanbakhsh. We also intend to monitor the injured players using our own medical team. Khosro Heydari and Mehrdad Pooladi are both in the injury list. We like to have a close inspection on the extent of their injuries ourselves. They must work under the supervision of our medical staff.”

He continued:”Another thing to consider is that we can only invite certain number of players in each post. For example, I cannot invite 10 players in camp who are defenders. We should establish a balance to coordinate the squad and the players list should not radically be changed.”

(note: 95% seems to be extremely an optimistic figure for National Team coaches watching league games. We believe that it is either exaggerated or wrongly quoted. Normally National team coaches, attend a small percentage of league matches in the region of 10% according to some sources)

Queiroz has also been accused of favoritism and biased towards Perspolis and Esteghlal teams detrimental to other teams when it came to player’s selections for Team Melli.  Queiroz obviously denied that and refutes the favoritism accusation. “I know that these two teams always expect a large number of their players to be selected. It is because of their huge fan bases.  Any match that you attend by these two teams, it seems that their fans fill the stadium or they are in the majority, so it is natural that special attention has to be applied to them (!!), however, professionally speaking, it makes no difference to me which club a player is from” This was Queiroz justification on selecting a benched player from Perspolis, Hossein Mahini.

Iran’s national soccer team head coach then commented on the Irish National Team coaching vacancy. He said, “Of course ,  when I noticed the news media shortlisting my name in the candidates list for the Ireland job, I was delighted. It shows that these people have confidence in me and trust my work. But that does not mean that I have negotiated with them, or I’d quit my job as coach of Team Melli any time soon.”

The Only problems I have is the media reports

Asked if there are any impending problems or differences between him and the President of FFIRI, Ali Kaffashian ” The Only problems I have is the media reports that I read about those imaginary problems and that makes me laugh as it surprises me. There simply is no problem”

“I am motivated to succeed and both me and Kaffashian share the same goal and motivation. I have the same dream and goal as the Iranian people.  We should strive to achieve our shared aspirations.”

His biggest great concern for national team are the friendly matches “ all FIFA days for such matches are occupied by out AFC Asian Cup qualification matches. We playin the qualifiers in those spare times.” Carlos said “holding time of friendly matches coincided with the Asian indices Cup qualifier nation. This is our main problem. After Thailand we have to play against Lebanon and Kuwait. However, we have worked hard to arrange friendly international matches near the end of this year. “

“The qualification to the World Cup is still fresh in our memories. We dearly like the fans join us and fill Azadi in the match against Thailand as it is the first time we can all celebrate together and share our joy in qualifying for the World Cup. We hope people can come to the stadium to support the team again, raise the spirit of the players . “