In the pre-match press conference against Hong Kong in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Amir Ghalenoei, started by congratulating the Iran U-17 team for their epic victory against defending champions Brazil. then continued “We Welcome the Hong Kong team and Mr. Andersen. Although Hong Kong is ranked 150 in FIFA ranking, but they have invested in the basic infrastructure and set-up. Hong Kong players play a tight defense very well and are very strong in the counterattack. In the games we analyzed, we saw that they work well on dead ball situations. They have three legionnaires and five hybrid players. “
“Yesterday, we had half and half tactical training. We had to reduce the legionnaires due to fatigue. We must continue our work that starts tomorrow with strength. We must also start our work well for the AFC Asian Cup and the World Cup qualifiers. We look at this game as an important game and play this game with all our heart.”
About the expectations from the national team under his leadership, Ghaleneoi said: “The most important thing we had for the team was to unite the players. To be united and on the same track means succeeding. Many teams are not united and do not succeed. One of the problems of the national team was that it was not as it should be and maybe it was not unanimous. We had some new attitudes. We have a good generation in the national team. We had an informal meeting with the players, and each player almost agreed that regardless to the fact that if I was there as a coach or in my absence, they would qualify to the two stages of the World Cup. Thanks God we have a united team.”
Commenting on the youth in Team Melli “We have two ages group; A birth certificate age and a physical age. For example, if you test Ronaldo now, he might be 30 years old. When Mr. Haj Safi plays against Marseille in the Europa Cup, it shows that you should use these precious experiences. Iranian football has paid for these and we should use them as long as they are able. I am grateful for the opinions of the critics and they are respectful to me, but we have done good work.”
Ghalenoei said “Our medical team is in contact with domestic and foreign teams. In addition, our analysis group also analyzes videos. We do great things and we have a claim in this work. As long as these loved ones can help the national team, we will use them. Now we have brought some good players to the national team. Let me tell you a memory of Yasin Samani. I brought Salmani once with Sepahan to see the Azadi Stadium and the stadium’s grass because it was the future of Iranian football. I introduced many players in a club and I don’t want to promote myself. I did this in the 2006 national team. Now we have a special look at the youth. For example, Muhammad Ghorbani should come and watch Saeed Ezatollahi. Because we have little time, we work this model, but we definitely have a special look at the youth and we do this. Now, because the calendar is full, we cannot have a B team like in 2006, but I am happy that the national team coaches have a good view of the league, and we choose the best. For example, where did Sardar Azmoun go to Europe? From the Iranian league. So we have people like him in Iran and we should have a special look at the youth and the league.”
Considering the 48 teams of the World Cup, many expect Iran to be among the top 16 teams in the world. Ghalenoei said: “I mentioned the previous World Cup qualifiers, when we got very bad results against Bahrain and Iraq. The focus of our meeting today was that life first punishes and then teaches. I told the boys that names don’t play on the field, it is quality that distinguishes them. We must move forward with strength. In harder games, the players have their own self-motivation, but in these games, the players have to step up.”
Ghalenoei was asked about how it feels to be hack at the helm after 16 years. He described his departure form the team was the result of a political rivalry between Safahi-Farahani , head of FFIRI and Aliabadi, head of government’s sport apparatus, in which he(Ghalenoei) and Team Melli were victimized. He reminded the everyone that he left Team Melli undefeated.
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