the AFC Women’s Asian Cup football matches will be hosted by India from January 20 to February 6, with the participation of 12 teams in three groups.

Iran’s women team led by head coach Maryam Irandoost will face off with the host India in their first match. In September of this year, the Iranian women’s national football team defeated the Jordanian team in the preliminary competitions and qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2022 for the first time in its history. It is a great honor for the motivated players of Maryam Irandoost, and this time they are trying to figure out another big surprise, despite all the problems ahead, including not holding any preparatory friendly matches and minimal training sessions.

Maryam Irandoost, the head coach of the national team, said before being sent to the tournament: “Considering the lack of a preparatory game and the fact that nearly four and a half months have passed since the qualifying round of the Asian Cup, I hope we can display a good performance and have bright days in Mumbai.”

“Fortunately, the players are in good physical and mental condition. They are quite motivated and excited to take part in Asia’s top women’s competition. This is the first time our team is competing, and I think that the fact that they say we have to reach the World Cup puts a lot of pressure on the kids. Anyway, we all know that a team like China is the proudest team in this tournament, and Chinese Taipei and India have better conditions than us, but we will definitely look forward to qualifying from this group and aiming higher.” Irandoost concluded.

Melika Motavi, the defender of the women’s national team, also said: “Considering that there are 12 top Asian teams in this competition and everyone is fully aware of the fact that we have a difficult task ahead of us, our goal in this period of competition is making history. It is the making of women’s football, and we want to once again show the power of Iranian women’s football in Asia, in this way, we will do our best to be a wonderful generation.

The national women’s soccer team, which is experiencing its first appearance in the AFC Asian Cup, could not play any pre-tournament games before the championship because most countries did not consider Iran as a strong opponent and rejected Iran’s request for friendlies. In response to this issue, Irandoost said: “We emailed 14 countries, but unfortunately 80-70% stated that they do not see Iran as a strong team because it was out of the ranking and wanted a stronger competitor. Of course, one or two countries had other reasons, but in any case, they did not want to play us. In any case, we will participate in the Asian Cup to show what a rival we really are.”

Iran Women national team will have to face China, the most successful team with eight titles, Chinese Taipei with three titles, and India with two runners-up in the group stage, which will be very difficult. A strong and positive point for Maryam Irandoost’s players is the alignment with the Asian powers, which can be the beginning of a clear path for women’s football. A path that can begin with the high motivation of history-making.

Who is Marayam Irandoost.

Many older fans heard the family name Irandoost before. A Malavan Anzali player and coach, Nosrat Irandoost has made quite a name for himself in the football-loving Bandar Anzali in the 70s as a player and the 90s and beyond as a coach. Irandoost spent his entire career playing for Malavan. In 1976, he helped the team win the Hazfi Cup. He was a member of a golden generation of players that included the likes of Ghafoor Jahani, Aziz Espandar, Ali Niakani, and Bahman Salihnia.

Maryam is the daughter of Nosrat Irandoost.  Born on February 3rd, 1979 in her hometown of Bandar Anzali, she played football turning into a professional playing for Pegah Gilan and Malavan.  She represented Iran from 1995 until the end of her plying days in Team Melli in 2003.

Irandoost, following her father’s step, went into coaching and the most natural team would have been Malvan where she spent the bulk of her career, From Bandar Anzaliu she went on to become the assistant coach of the National Women Team in 2008 until 2010. A year after working as an assistant, she was appointed as the head coach of Iran’s U-16 girl’s team.

In 2010 she made the grade and became the head coach for Women Team Melli. Her stint lasted 2 years. Between 2012 and 2014 she returned back to her beloved club Malavan.

In 2021 Irandoost was once again appointed as the head coach of the national team. Her task of success in the AFC Asian Cup looks colossal particularly in a difficult group facing the giant Chinese and hosts India. To make the best shoot at success, Maryam has opted to have her veteran father alongside her as an advisor and assistant coach.

The 42 years old Maryam is a great motivator and popular amongst her players. What the Iranian players lack in technique, Irandoost can perhaps substitute that by clever use of inspiration, motivation, and full support regardless to result and performance.

While she is not promising anything spectacular, she is hoping that by her team making history and qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, she can continue this drive and by using the same psychology, perhaps to push her players beyond their natural skills and ability.

It is interesting to note that Iran has two legionnaires players. Goalkeeper Maryam Yektaei (age 28) plays in  Turkey for the famous Istanbul club Beşiktaş, and midfield player Yasaman Farmani who has recently joined Charleroi in Belgium.