In an interview with the TV show “Varzesh va Mardom” this Friday morning, The triumphant Portuguese coach of Team Melli answered many questions regarding the current situation with the team, including the same old monotonous questions from the Iranian media about the fate of Aghili and Rahmati in Team Melli. Queiroz was also asked about the Korean trip and tensions created before and after the match.
On the tension between himself and the Korean coach Choi, the head Coach of Team Melli said “I have never seen such behavior in all of my 34 years of professional football. Talk of revenge and blood by the Korean team, was something really hostile that goes beyond even the strongest of rivalries in sport. It was definitely not fair play. The Korean coach went way beyond the line of decency and civilized manner in his statements, quite clearly with the intent to intimidate. But, I have to thank him because instead of intimidating and provoking us, it had the opposite effect. His trash talk motivated our players.”
Queiroz went on and expressed his astonishment at the Korean FA. A note of protest was discreetly sent to the head of the Korean Football association against Choi transgression and demanding an apology, but they have not responded. What they did instead was to stick posters of Choi all around us and a very large sized one next to our changing room in the stadium ! Something truly amazing. I always thought the Koreans were people who respect others and are hospitable. We have not experienced much of that in this trip.”
Queiroz confirmed that his contract with the Iranian Football Federation is up to the end of the World Cup.
“Varzesh va Mardom” TV presenter again asked about the fate of Aghili and Rahmati in Team Melli. Carlos Queiroz has said that this issue is over and done with. “The most important factor in the team for me is maintaining discipline. This is what I strongly believe in right now. In professional football, there is nothing more important than the team. It is my duty to be confident that the players that I select, are committed to the team. With all due respect to the two players, my priority now is on the 25 players that have been in the squad, those who gallantly fought for the team to reach the World Cup. These are the players that gave it all for the team. This is the type of player that I want. Aghili and Rahmati had their chances to redeem themselves, but did not take it. This should be a lesson for the young players. When a player is invited to serve his country, he should answer the call in sincerity and not put forwards demand or pre-conditions. It is vital for me to have players in the team with full commitment and the right frame of mind”
Then on the same line of questioning , the presenter asked about Ali Karimi this time , to which Queiroz answered” Any player who performs well in next season league , will be a candidate for selection to Team Melli squad. It is my duty to select the best players as I see them fit. There aren’t many internationally experienced players in Iran , so as I coach I have to strike a good balance of young and experienced players in the team. My first option is with the players that have played in the campaign to the World Cup. Of course there are no guarantees that they will continue being in the team. They have to prove themselves with their teams in the league.”
Thus the question about Ali Karimi was never answered, per se, however it is clear that Karimi does not figure in Queiroz plans at this time.
Karimi abruptly decided to retire from all football activities after the loss to Sepahan in the final of Hazfi cup. Later on , the Perspolis captain admitted that the decision he has taken was quite emotional and in haste. He decided to reverse his decision but it seems that neither the club nor the country is too interested in having him back.
Aghili abandoned Team Melli camp in protest after he was informed that he will not be in the starting lineup for the match against Lebanon. While Rahmati announced a temporary retirement from Team Melli after criticism of his performance by the coaches and the intention of Queiroz of inviting the German-Iranian goalkeeper Daniel Davari, Rahmati was also critical of Queiroz in the media which did not bode well with the Portuguese coach.