Skucic: Many were waiting for the national team to lose to criticize / Iranian football no longer has players like Shojaei and Dejagah
According to Fars News Agency sports correspondent, Dragan Skucic said in a press conference before the match against the Lebanese national football team: “Unfortunately, we did not finish the previous game with a good result and we will enter the game tomorrow to compensate for the result.” We very much hope that we will finish the match against Lebanon well so that it will feel like a good end to the World Cup qualifiers.
* I am very optimistic about the match against Lebanon
He continued: “We do not have a number of players due to injuries and coronas, and this is a problem for us. I hope we can play well because I am very optimistic about tomorrow’s match.
* Many sought the defeat of the national team to begin their criticism
The head coach of the Iranian national football team, in response to a Fars reporter’s question that after the game with South Korea, there was a lot of criticism about his performance, and it was even said that he might not be with the national team in the World Cup, and in this case, Lebanon will be influential, he explained: “Such talk has no effect on me and my team.” In these two years that we did not lose, many people were waiting for us to reach such a day so that they could express their criticism of the national team, but I dealt with these conversations calmly. The federation also announced its official position and I have nothing to add.
* Against South Korea, we did not have 7 players in the main squad
“I’m not looking for excuses for the outcome of the game against South Korea, but I have to remind you that we did not have a few players because of Corona and two because of suspension,” Skochic said. It will definitely be difficult for the Iranian team when it does not have 7 players in its main squad. I must say that we had a long journey ahead of us and we set foot on the ground without preparation and having a complete team in training.
* The national team belongs to all cities of the country
The head coach of our national football team said about holding the match with Lebanon in the holy city of Mashhad: “I have a very good feeling that we are in Mashhad.” Of course, this is not the first time we have come to this city. In my opinion, it is favorable for the national team to sometimes go to other cities, because it causes decentralization, and the national team belongs to all the cities of the country. People in all cities should have the chance to watch their national team play in the stadium.
* All our games before the match against Korea had a final verdict
Asked if he did not think it was a bit expedient, and if he had invited the players the community wanted him to, he would now be in a safer and more appropriate position, and that some people think this is their last press conference as national team coach: Games are important to us, if you think that tomorrow’s game is not important, I must say that with our possible victory in tomorrow’s game and the draw of South Korea against the UAE, the equations of the lead will change. I must also say that all the games we played before the match against South Korea were finals and we tried our best in them.
* I do not know why you just call the game with Korea the big match?
“We have to understand that one day a team may not have a good day and its opponent may perform better,” he said. Again, we did not have 7 players against Korea, and if I am going to try things out or try and make mistakes, I use official games and evaluate my ideas, and finally all the players, players and members of the technical staff of the team. The national team worked amazingly and I thank them. I do not know why you just call the game with Korea the big match? If you remember, in the previous stage games, we had 4 very important and vital matches, which were also very big. I understand that after our promotion to the World Cup, expectations from the national team have risen and that is why the ceremonial match with Korea is considered important. I am happy that the level of expectations from the national team has risen, but the criticism is normal. After 15 games without a loss, I know there will be some criticism. I accept them with open arms, but I am satisfied with the way we have come.
* Are you sure that the main Lebanese players will be absent tomorrow?
“We have a lot of respect for the Lebanese team, but are we sure?” Do you have the main players absent tomorrow? م I ask my players to be very serious in tomorrow’s game, because if we underestimate the opponent or think we are the top team, our work may be tied. Players can be divided qualitatively. In the previous game, our work was very difficult because the players had to go to Seoul from Europe and enter the field from there.
* To underestimate the opponent, the game is tied
He added: “My players represent their country and I ask them to enter the field with all seriousness, and if we step on the field with such a mentality, we will end the game with a victory.” Of course, if we underestimate the opponent, the game may get tied up and work will be difficult for us. We can divide the players into better and lower quality people. Every player has certain characteristics and the absence of a player like Tarmi and Azmoun will definitely affect the performance of a team. Each player that is replaced will be different in terms of characteristics and quality.
* Our most prepared team will play against Lebanon
He said that Lebanon does not have several players in tomorrow’s game due to being crowned, and in this situation, whether it uses its main players or gives field to young players, he said: “Are you sure that their key players will play because of Corona?” Do not have? Although we have young and quality players in the league, the team that will step in tomorrow is definitely the best and most prepared team we can have right now. For example, you are talking about experienced players, but it is very difficult to bring in a player who has played in Seoul tomorrow. Definitely not an easy task. I promise you that the team that goes to the field tomorrow has players who have ideal conditions. It is in such games that I can try new things. Of course, we have to end the game in our favor.
* It is a big problem for low quality players of the national team to play in European teams
Skocic added: “Another thing I would like to talk about is that we have quality players who are out of the game due to the lack of a stable position in their teams, and that can make our job harder. It is important for the World Cup that they play consistently in their clubs. To put it another way, we have the best players in Europe compared to the domestic players who play less, and that could be another problem.
* Despite the injury, Sardar wanted to be with us in Seoul and this is valuable
He added: “Another issue that I would like to talk about is that if you remember, in the previous camp, we did not have a test captain because of Corona, and in this camp, he arrived at our camp with a minor injury to his ankle.” . The Leverkusen club contacted us and advised that Sardar should not be on this long trip from Germany to Seoul, but he wanted to be with the national team and was willing to help the team. This is a very valuable topic.
* Tarmi is not in good physical condition and will be absent from Lebanon
He added: “I should also say about Mehdi Taremi that we do not have Corona in tomorrow’s game due to a positive test.” Tarmi has shown how much he loves the team and wanted to help the national team. In consultation with the medical team, they said that he was not in good physical condition and that we could not use him.
* As long as Khalilzadeh was on the field, we did not give much opportunity to South Korea
The head coach of our national football team did not send Daniel Ismailifar to the field after Khalilzadeh’s brave injury against South Korea and used a player who was away for a long time due to a cruciate ligament tear, and of course why Ramin Rezaian and Saleh Hardani were not included in the national team. He did not invite, what was it? If I wanted to give a more tactical explanation, we wanted to use the side defense and play more stately, and for this reason, we asked the left defense to be more present in attacks than the right defense. As long as Shoja Khalilzadeh was on the field, we did not give many opportunities to the opponent and they only approached our goal with a cross.
* The reason for using Khalilzadeh in the match against South Korea
He added: “In Iranian football, defenders with more defensive characteristics are less and according to my analysis of the players on the sidelines, there is a common problem among them, they get out of place a lot and try to get closer to the opponent.” This causes them to empty their backs and they can not control the opposing player well. I used my logic to use the brave Khalilzadeh in this post tactically.
* There is no other player like Masoud Shojaei and Ashkan Dejagah in Iranian football
The head coach of our national football team stated: Regarding Saleh Hardani and Daniel Ismailifar, I must say that I tried to use a player who has more national experience in the match against Korea and played in previous matches and is more mature and mentally prepared. In Iranian football, we see weaknesses in some positions, especially in full-backs and midfielders. I follow the Iranian league games well, but I can no longer find a player like Masoud Shojaei or Ashkan Dejagah. This is one of the challenges to the Iranian league, a league in which player development is not done well.
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