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Iranian football team head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has lamented players failing to report for duty and called out the clubs for not releasing them early. The 2022 FIFA World Cup is around the corner and in their surroundings but the preparations of the Iranian team lag behind.
The Portuguese coach is not pleased with how their preparations are progressing. He shared the importance of dressing cohesion, one that he does not have since his players have not been able to report for national duty.
Queiroz called out clubs for not releasing the players early to ensure their readiness for the tournament and admitted this will have a bearing on their chances of making the final cut.
Al Ahli is under fire
Team Melli regulars, Shoja Khalilzadeh and Hossein Kananizadegan, have not been released for national duty and this has caused a strain in their preparations.
“In one way or another, the reality is that our preparation program is not moving in the right direction,” said the 69-year-old coach was quoted by Tehran Times.
“Preparation is a key step in our way to the 2022 World Cup. Without preparation, it is difficult to succeed. Once the players are not here to be part of the team selection, it’s difficult to consider them. So probably some of them lose their position in the national team because they are not here,” he commented.
“For instance, we have a problem with our two important players, Shoja Khalilzadeh and Hossein Kananizadegan. Unfortunately, Qatari club Al Ahli do not allow them to train with us. But five weeks without playing football before a big tournament like the World Cup is difficult for them to be part of the list; it’s very difficult.”
“I need to think about that because, at this moment, more players must train here with us or play,” he added.
Conspiracy against Iran
Based on the circumstances, it is to be expected that squad changes will be made by Queiroz. The Portuguese tactician believes in group training for the national team, a factor that is missing from Team Melli’s preparations.
Qatari club, Al Ahli, was singled out for criticism by the former Real Madrid and Portugal manager. He questioned their motives as the players are inactive and should have been allowed to train ahead of the footballing extravaganza.
Queiroz believes there is a deep-rooted conspiracy against the Iranian players.
He pointed out the fact that players of other nationalities, including Australian, Algerian and Tunisians, were allowed by the Qatari clubs to report to their national setups and only the Iranian players have been stopped.
“But if they stay five weeks with no football, it’s impossible to take them into consideration. Really, I don’t understand why something happened because we’ve been there and thanked the Al Ahli club for their cooperation.”
“The only players in Qatar football who are not released are the Iranian players from Al Ahli. All the other players, including Australian, Algerian, and Tunisian, were released for their national teams, but Al Ahli did not allow them to come here.”
“Esteghlal’s players are not here also. So, I just can say that our preparation process could be better,” he said.
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