The saga of Team Melli friendly games disruptions and cancellations continues unabated.
When it comes to arranging friendlies ahead of major tournaments like the World Cup or Asian Cup, one way or another it always seems that the schedule is marred by chaos and disorganization. The preparations for this FIFA World Cup 2018 is no exception.
Majority of the problems are self-inflicted, as it stems from the fact that the administration with feeble international public relations , lack of management and organizational skills added to the head coach shenanigans and antics , leads to chaos for Team Melli.
While most federations have a two-year calendar, published and known to the media and the clubs, Iran’s FFIRI plays it by the ear. Guessing games requirement , picking opponents , embarking on secretive negotiations thereafter striking last-minute deals, added to lack of transparency by officials, paints a grim picture of the important issue. of arranging friendly games for Team Melli.
The Federation officials always justify their failures and numerous match cancellations on factors such as sanctions and difficulties in finance transactions, however , although this may be true in few cases, the culprit remains the poor events management and chaotic programming of FFIRI.
Only a few days ago , yet another important test for Team Melli against Greece was canceled ! This was announced by Greece head coach only. No one exactly knows the real reason as FFIRI are not forthcoming. Luckily FFIRI found an alternative option in Kosovo. Perhaps not a stern test as good as Greece , nevertheless it was an essential match for Team Melli.
Another shocker followed soon as Kosovo also cancelled or turn it down depending on your perspective. The Reason was clear this time and quite frustrating too. Kosovo did not fancy playing an International football match behind closed-door depriving their fans as Queiroz demanded!
Queiroz has such habits which FIFA should really put a stop to it. Playing behind closed doors should not be accepted at international level. After all the National Team of any country has millions of followers and is not a private property of an individual, that is why it is called a National Team.
The last test match is now on the 8th of June against Lithuania. The fans would think at least this one will pass smoothly without any glitches, right?
Not that simple. The first surprise is that this match will NOT be played in a STADIUM!
After Kosovo , the Lithuanian were not amused either when they discovered that the Lithuanian team will play Team Melli in the training field of the Spartak stadium in Tushino on June 8.
RIA Novosti head coach Edgaras Jankauskas said :
“At first we thought that the match with Iran would take place at the Spartak stadium, but it turned out that we will play in the training field! We will not be able to bring our strongest team to Moscow, because the date is unofficial, and the championship in Lithuania is now going on.”
Before hoping and praying for Team Melli’ s success on the field in what looks like a really tough group, some prayers must go to the FFIRI to get themselves competent and professional administrators who can do a better support job than what they are offering now.
Luckily, there are a large number of players in the current squad that play in Europe, including 3 who actually earn their living in Russia; Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan) , Saeid Ezatolahei (