Hossein Kazemi recalled what happened during the match between Team Melli and Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifiers at Azadi Stadium.
Ali Daei was the head coach of the team. Iran was leading by a Masoud Shojaei goal in the first half. At half-time, he was informed that the then President (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) wanted to enter the dressing room for an inspirational chat with the players and coaching staff, which is a highly unusual request under the circumstances.
Due to the sensitivity of the game and its importance for Iran’s qualification to the next round, Ali Daei, who saw this interruption as negative and might lead the players to lose focus, rejected Ahmadinejad’s request and preferred if it was done after the final whistle.
Hossein Kazemi, who was playing in the midfield in that match said: “We lost the game after the Saudi’s came from behind and scored two goals. It was our only loss under Daei, yet Ali Daei was dismissed from his post that same evening.”
Iran failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2010 held in South Africa.
Iranian football was shocked by the sudden demise of one of the former Team Melli players.