The pre-match press conference held before Team Melli meets Turkmenistan in Daşoguz, was marred by off the field issues and recent tension in Team Melli camp. Speaking before the Turkmenistan match on Monday , Queiroz found the ideal chance to air his bitter disappointment and express his feeling for the way that Team Melli was treated recently. The press conference sharply deviated from football and the match and focused on the way Team Melli is treated.
Queiroz took this opportunity to directly and indirectly reference the deficiencies and culpabilities of the federation and the atmosphere that is surrounding Team Melli, while vehemently attacking phantom enemies of team Melli and unnamed people who are allegedly working against the team.
Arranging friendly games
Quieroz said “At first, I have to point out that the national team is in dire need of friendly games in order to prepare our players for the future. Most of the friendly games that we arrange are the ones that are held for short-term purposes and that is to prepare the team for official competitions such as the World Cup qualifiers.
After that, we have a bunch of other matches that we can refer to as long-term friendly games. These games should be arranged with the objective of being groundwork training exercises focused on the development of the players and for the coaching staff to have the opportunity to find long-term solutions. That is, players find experience, develop skills and learn every time they play in such matches, while we look for areas to improve.”
Short and long-term strategies
He added “This is why we cannot look at games in the World Cup qualifiers and friendly games with the same consideration, because sooner or later mistakes will occur in the wrong place. As I previously said, there are two main options facing us. In the short and medium term the targets are primarily the same which is to earn three points for the team to qualify for the World Cup and the second long-term strategy is to have friendly games that players can earn experience from.”
Financial constraints
Carlos Queiroz pointed to the limitations of time and money, he said “when the national team is faced with time and financial restraints, like we are facing now, we should improvise and incorporate a combination of the two ways to take advantage of each game. At any time no matter what happens, it is imperative that we should always have support and backing. In general there will be no future without the necessary support. Without the necessary funding and support, certainly younger players will not have the opportunity to gain experience in the national team as well. If you are thinking for better football and better on the field performance and standard, the team should be better prepared as well.”
Lack of respect
The Portuguese head coach continued with a reference to the efforts of players and technical staff in the recent friendly “ All of you are aware of the problems and difficulties that we have faced recently , it was transparent to everyone. We cannot hide the facts because if we wanted to hide them, we have just lied to ourselves and the rest of the people. I must be very transparent. Myself an also a lot of people are aware that not only Iran but also many other countries have limited resources, but the thing that makes me more concerned is the lack of respect that the national team has to be bestowed upon. What is more worrying to me, is significant to the national team, it is respect for the sanctity of the position of the national team.
”There is a need to respect that national team technical staff and the players for their passage. You do not need to spend money to respect. It is very important for the team Melli spirit, for the players to feel encouraged and appreciated. At least a phone call to say good job guys, really good work done. For the sake of a win against Uzbekistan tell them congratulations on that win. “
The other issues are unrelated to financial support. I am talking about the kind of respect that should be rewarded and in line with the support of the national team to be dignified.”
He continued” there is no question that these conditions are not acceptable to me and I can’t come to terms with the fact that the players and the technical staff that has received very little if any rewards. On top of it they are faced with disrespect or abuse. If commander would be in a position to not defend his troops and not be able to fight for their rights in their defense, I’m not such a commander.”
Phantom Enemies.
Queiroz went on talking about enemies within and efforts by unnamed personnel to what sound like “Destroy” the team or undermine their efforts!
In line with the Portuguese personality and mental framework, he has yet come to term with accepting his working environment and the society surrounding him. Queiroz continuously refers to his critics as enemies and mixes up the decencies of the system, general lack of professional discipline and some lacking work ethics with personal issues thinking that everyone is working against him.